This is my 6th Jaguar but first X150. Was recent purchase so still learning. I bought the car in Texas near Dallas and drove nonstop to LA 27+ hours. Pleasant drive but I could be mistaken thinking that the dash lights were on during the whole time. Now, driving around locally, the dash lights are never on in the daytime. Consequently, under most lighting conditions I can't see the gas gauge, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

This control panel is by your left knee. From the Owner's Handbook:



The instruments, switch packs, and touchscreen will be illuminated when the headlights are switched on.
1. Push and release the knob to extend it for ease of operation.
2. Rotate the knob to adjust the illumination.
3. Push the knob again to return it to the stowed position.

If that doesn't work, adjust the rotary lighting control switch on the left-hand column stalk so it's set as shown below or to OFF. If it's set to AUTO, the instrument lighting dimmer switch won't work until Night Mode is sensed.


Don't be surprised if someone tells you that one of your backup lights is out when you're at the gas station. If your 2009 XK hasn't been modified, the original design taillights have only one backup light located on the passenger side. The other taillight houses the fog light, which is red, that is activated manually with the switch in the first photo, above. That changed with the new design LED taillights on the 5.0L models that have two backup lights.

If you don't have an Owner's Handbook, buy one on Ebay or check the Stickies at the top of this Forum to see if it's still available to download.

Life is short, enjoy your new ride! .

 

As Stuart says, turn on the lights and also check the brightness control. I used SDD to turn on Daytime Running Lights (the Canadian setting not Scandinavian) which automatically turns on the low beam headlights, running lights, and instrument lighting (which still aren't particularly bright to me, but better than off). Enjoy your car!


Correction - DRL does NOT turn on the instrument lighting. Younstill need to turn the running lights or headlights on with the column switch.

 

Make sure your sunlight sensor is not covered. If it is, and Auto Headlights is enabled, your lights will always be on, and therefore your dash lights on Dim.