Hi all,
I've a question regarding my traction control switch. I've tried logic to figure this out, but I still have no clue.(1999 XK8)

The button says Traction control off with no illumination. Press the button and the red indicator on the button comes on.

Which is it?
Is it on with the light on, or on with the light off, or is it off with the light off? Does the light indicate it's off, or does no light indicate it's off???

Had the brilliance of the XK8 engineers not shone through and they simply labeled the button "Traction control" without the "Off" stipulation and a GREEN illumination indicating
"On" instead of a RED illumination when the button is pushed it would be far less confusing.

 

According to the owners manual, TC is always on when you start the car. Push the button to turn it off and the button lights up.

 

Maybe this will clarify.

 

Human Factors - User Interface: 101. Try to conform to user's expectations with your warning buttons/labelling. Thus, light=on, no light=off. Try to avoid double negatives in the logic, 'yes/no', instead of 'not no/not not no'.

 

Ah...but! According to MRomaniks screenshot post from the manual, Light = off, and no light = on, so off is on and on is off....

Without the post above, my head would still be spinning because even your statement, though completely logical, and my initial train of thought, which upon further contemplation caused great confusion due to the button being labeled "Trac Off"...

I love your logic statement "Not no / Not not no", it's not everyday we get too see a triple negative!

 

It’s not unusual to not see this logic....

Hehe