Robert

I've been wondering about the amount of switch-gear that is illuminated inside the new Stang. Several people thought the power window switches didn't illuminate at night.

Well, folks, I'm bettin' they do. Have a look at the attached photo. You can clearly see that the cruise control switches on the steering wheel are illuminated.

If they're illuminated, my bet is that the window switches are illuminated too.

Nice touch, Ford!

vega

too bad the horse-emblem on the steering wheel isn't illuminated. Imagine how cool that would look at night.

gotmy05

I smell aftermarket

acadian

I am not really convinced looking at that picture that the cruise in the steering wheel is illuminated. It could be the flash. I am sure that the window buttons are backlit though.

kevinb120

Ford has been on a huge kick to make sure all the buttons illuminate. Even foci has lit door panel buttons, front and rear, and sunroof button. All of the trucks now have everything including cruise buttons lit.

usdclark

There was no flash in that picture, if there was, we would see a reflection in the guages and on the pony in the steering wheel

kevinb120

I would bet they are lit. The color tone and brightness matches the buttons on the stereo exactly under the same light conditions.

Robert

That's not a flash picture. Trust me: 20 years as a semi-professional photographer.

If flash had been used, it would have reflected off all the hightlights and washed out everything.

Kevin is correct - the illumination and color of the cruise control buttons matches the illumination of the center console buttons.

No question that at least the cruise buttons are illuminated. If they took the trouble to illuminate those, then certainly the window controls would be illuminated too.

Kluski

As another semi-pro photographer, I agree about the flash. Especially if he was sitting in the driver seat. There would definetly be washout. The pony in the center of the steering wheel would really be lit up.

kn7671

I currently own a VW Golf R32, and practically everything in VW's car are lighted, but trust me on this, after you get over the ooh and aah factor, it is pretty useless and only costs $$$ to put into production.

After you own a car for a period of time, you know where everything is. What I'm saying is, the A/C and Radio are about the only things you need lighted other than gauges to drive a car at nighttime.

Are you going to look down and to your left at night to find that pretty lighted power window switch? Scary for the rest of us on the road. Remember that you only have 2 windows or doors to lock/unlock, which unlocking from the inside lighted switch is only needed if you are letting someone in to the passenger side of the car, as the doors unlock when you open them from the inside.

Any other useless features that need to be , I mean politely discussed? I just can't see any logical real reason to NEED lighted switch gear on the doors or steering wheel or than for cosmetic reasons.

kevinb120

Jeeze you guys, lets break out some Kennedy assasination pics and review them again.

Mtang78

I had a 1970 Mustang where the hi-beam indicator light on the dash gauges was a Mustang and lit red when you had on the hi-beams. That was real cool!

Dr Iven

I don't think anybody here wants the switches lit up so they can tell where stuff is at night...

"Man, I wanna go into cruise control, but, heck, I just can't see the button."

Nah, they just look really nice and more upscale for how much it costs.

Dan

With a new modern interior, whether to have lit up switches or not shouldn't even be a question.

I'm glad it looks like we'll be getting them.

Stadifer

Who would have thought a thread on lighted buttons would cost so much angst!

But when you have over 100 different color options on the gauges does it really matter if your window or door lock switches have lights or not? Anycase, I've seen a few pictures of the 05 gauges lit up while it was pretty dark, they cast a pretty strong glow into the cabin.

But heck... I'll be happy to have power windows and door locks again!

Badsnke98

Well, while everyone is wondering about the switch back lights in this picture, I see something in the lower right, the Auto trans. Seeing how my wife has one on order. What is with the PRND32? I hope 1 is just out of the picture. Is there an overdrive botton? seeing how this is a 5-speed auto? Has anyone seen this in person? Some input Please.

acadian

I stand corrected... I thought there might be a flash because of the way the crome around the air vents is glaring. But the more I look at it, the more the cruise buttons are more of a greenish color. That' a really nice touch.

Good question about the auto tranny. I also had to order an auto because my wife will be driving the car, and having always driven a stick, what do the 3,2 and possible 1 mean with the auto? The "D" is overdive, correct? And what you would have it in on everyday driving? What are the other numbers for? Forgive my ignorance.

Badsnke98

No D should just be drive. Overdrive generally has a O encircling the D or an overdrive button in present Stangs. 3 would be third, 2 second and 1 first.

acadian

So, when exactly would you manually put the tranny in first, second or third gears? Going up a hill? What is the purpose of this, if it is an automatic?

Badsnke98

Yep, low for up steep hills and to assist braking down steep grades. Second to start in snow is helpful. Plus you could shift the gears manually when racing if you like. Most likely not used much anymore. Nice to have them all if needed.