# Why did they move the location of the headlight dimmer switch? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 11, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563 "2015-01-11T19:25:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/1 "2015-01-11T19:25:13Z")
When I learned to drive in the late 70’s, every car had the headlight dimmer switch on the floor near the “dead pedal” area. sometime in the 80’s it got moved to the steering column, usually on the signal light bar. WHY?😕 What was the logic of this? ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/2 "2015-01-11T19:27:32Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > When I learned to drive in the late 70’s, every car had the headlight dimmer switch on the floor near the “dead pedal” area. > > sometime in the 80’s it got moved to the steering column, usually on the signal light bar. > > WHY?😕 > What was the logic of this? Easier to reach without taking your eyes off the road. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/3 "2015-01-11T19:47:34Z")
I’ve wondered this too. But what I’m REALLY curious about is why the OP calls it a “dimmer” switch. I call it the high-beam switch. Do you normally drive with the brights on? > [@Morgenstern](#): > > Easier to reach without taking your eyes off the road. Nah. That switch was just as easy for the left foot as the gas and brake are for the right foot. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/4 "2015-01-11T19:51:50Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Easier to reach without taking your eyes off the road. I never took my eyes off the road to hit the headlight dimmer switch. It would be hard to see my feet at night. I just moved my foot over and pushed down on the switch. Moving my hand off the steering wheel when going through a corner can be difficult. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/5 "2015-01-11T19:51:58Z")
the floor switch rusted through. other dash knob functions got moved to the stalk. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/6 "2015-01-11T19:55:53Z")
[This article](http://cnynews.com/baby-boomer-alert-who-remembers-the-floor-dimmer-switch-in-our-cars/) claims European influence and front wheel drive. > [@](#): > > The first US-designed autos started following the trend away from the foot-operated dimmer switch in the 1970s, as they decided to emulate the luxury European imports who were starting to put the dimmer switch on the stalk. However, the transition from the the cheap floor switch to the more expensive multi-function stalk switch usually had to wait until a major re-design of that vehicle so that a coordinated change could be made. Ultimately, the dimmer switch function would go to the stalk when a model went from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive (which happened a lot in the late 1970s and early 1980s) because the foot-well area became smaller and more cramped. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/7 "2015-01-11T19:56:27Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > I never took my eyes off the road to hit the headlight dimmer switch. It would be hard to see my feet at night. I just moved my foot over and pushed down on the switch. Moving my hand off the steering wheel when going through a corner can be difficult. So can hitting the dimmer switch while shifting gears. A disabled person is using hand controls to drive the car couldn’t access the floor switch either. Not to mention it’s probably cheaper to add it to a multi-function switch/lever than add it to the floor. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/8 "2015-01-11T19:58:21Z")
Something happened in October, 1973: The oil crisis hit, big time. So suddenly Americans started buying small, gas-saving cars. And the only small cars on the market were Japanese. So , for the first time in recent history, masses of Americans began buying foreign products. And they discovered something very,very strange: those furriners make some pretty good stuff. All the foreign cars had controls on the stick…it’s much more convenient. And once people got used to it, the American manufacturers came to the same conclusion. > [@](#): > > Nah. That switch was just as easy for the left foot as the gas and brake are for the right foot. Nope.–it’s not “just as easy”. That foot-operated switch was located up in the far corner of the floor…you had to keep your left leg extended to the maximum, and your foot exactly in the same position at all times. Very uncomfortable. Your left leg isn’t necessary for driving (an automatic transmission)–why not leave it free , with the freedom to bend your knee, flex the muscles a little ? A stalk control at your fingertips is much, much more convenient. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/9 "2015-01-11T20:37:53Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [This article](http://cnynews.com/baby-boomer-alert-who-remembers-the-floor-dimmer-switch-in-our-cars/) claims European influence and front wheel drive. that doesn’t make much sense; front wheel drive (implying a transverse powertrain layout) generally gained more room in the footwell thanks to the elimination of the large transmission tunnel. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/10 "2015-01-11T20:56:05Z")
The “dimmer switch” on the stalk is also used to flash the headlights when theyvare turned off. Europeans, and perhaps Japanese, are used to flashing headlights rather than sounding the horn. Easier to do with the stalk instead of a pull switch on the dash. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/11 "2015-01-11T21:01:43Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > the floor switch rusted through. > > other dash knob functions got moved to the stalk. I never had a floor switch rust through. And so many functions are on the stalk nowdays, you need a manual to figure out which direction to press/pull, twist or bend it, or you do the wrong thing. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/12 "2015-01-11T21:07:17Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > I never took my eyes off the road to hit the headlight dimmer switch. It would be hard to see my feet at night. I took the reply as a joke. Instead of using your foot to step on the switch, you reach down with your hand to push it. 😛 When I drove cars with foot switches it was easy to inadvertently push the switch. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/13 "2015-01-11T21:08:07Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > I’ve wondered this too. But what I’m REALLY curious about is why the OP calls it a “dimmer” switch. Does anyone (besides **Keeve** ) call it anything but dimmer switch? ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/14 "2015-01-11T21:43:37Z")
On the one hand, I confess to never paying much attention to what it is called. If you had asked me yesterday, I probably would have said “the high beam switch”. For me (and I presume most people) the default setting is where it gives less light, and the main use of this switch is to temporarily use the high beams. Thus, I am surprised to hear it being named for reverse of its usual function. (By the way, I just googled the phrase “dimmer switch”, and the first three pages are entirely about switches for making your in-home lighting variably dim or bright. It’s not until the fourth page that there’s one lone hit for the automotive variety that this thread is about.) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/15 "2015-01-11T21:48:10Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Does anyone (besides **Keeve** ) call it anything but dimmer switch? FWIW, here is a quote from the Washington State Driver’s Handbook: [quote] Here are some things you can do that will help you see better: [ul][li]use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles. High beams let you see twice as far as low beams. It is important to use high beams on unfamiliar roads, in construction areas, or where there may be people along the side of the road.[/li][li]dim your high beams whenever you come within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.[/ul][/li][/quote] So according to the state, high beams should be the default in some areas. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/16 "2015-01-11T21:54:33Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > And so many functions are on the stalk nowdays, you need a manual to figure out which direction to press/pull, twist or bend it, or you do the wrong thing. [No kidding!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgynmDAqmxY) I went and test drove a Mercedes and couldn’t believe all the shit it had on the stalk and column. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > When I drove cars with foot switches it was easy to inadvertently push the switch. Never happened to me. But what does happen on occasion is I’ll be using the turn signal and accidentally flash my brights. Or I’ll be using the lever to dim and may accidentally activate the signal light in lane change mode. Anyone ever have a car where the horn was on the signal light stalk? How freaking stupid was THAT?:eek: ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/17 "2015-01-11T21:58:38Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > For me (and I presume most people) the default setting is where it gives less light, and the main use of this switch is to temporarily use the high beams. Thus, I am surprised to hear it being named for reverse of its usual function. Ditto. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > So according to the state, high beams should be the default in some areas. I’d say that’s well under ten percent of my driving. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/18 "2015-01-11T22:32:06Z")
Never, ever heard it called the dimmer switch in 50 years of driving. Driving in an area where you need to switch back and forth between regular and high-beam was bad enough. Having to try to find the switch with a foot, especially when the left foot might be needed to put the clutch in at the same time, was a hazard. Of course they needed to improve that. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/19 "2015-01-11T23:02:13Z")
Also to find it every time you got into a car, especially different ones. ( back in the day, Dad sold used cars, so we older kids drove some interesting stuff once in a while ) ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563/20 "2015-01-11T23:04:24Z")
Thanks, all, especially JohnnyLA and SCAdian [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-they-move-the-location-of-the-headlight-dimmer-switch/709563.md?page=2)