Tiny Red Lights In The Sky !!!!!!

[kanewesley]

Just got our 2006 3.0d facelift E53 X5 a few weeks ago.

We have put the base of a child seat between us, restin between the back seat and the centre storage compartment, with a blanket on so our little blonde terrier can sit between us and ride shotgun !

Couldn't believe what I saw the other night...I looked in rear view mirror and saw our beloved pet glowing bright red in the dark as if she was radioactive !

When I calmed down, I traced the light source to the roof light. It was not noticeable at all in the dark, but when our dotty stood there, she caught the rays and glowed red....what is this light?

[Sanj]

Ambient lights for the interior. Pair up front 'glow' over the centre console and a pair in the rear.

[kanewesley]

But what are for for???? what purpose do they serve???

[X5Sport]

Cats eye lighting it's called.  They all have it.  It's a low level illumination so you can see things in the car at night without having the interior lights on.  You can change the brightness and I think even turn it off completely - but that may only be on later models.

My X6 has it as a pair of red/orange LEDs in the roof that gently illuminate the centre console.

My new Skoda has it too with a dim colour/brightness selectable strip all round inside.  Our Mini Countryman had it as well.

[kanewesley]

Oh I see !!

Wouldn't know where to start to dim them down though !

[X5Sport]

I don't have an E53 any more, but it might be linked to the brightness of the instrument cluster?

[kanewesley]

Thanks !!