What Does This Button Do?

Saab actually gets to pull out that whole “Born From Jets” slogan here for real. The Night Panel button kills illumination to all gauges save the speedometer to keep driver’s focused on the road and to reduce eye strain.

When you first push the button, the gauge needles all drop down, so if you’re moving it looks like something is wrong with your car and you’re hurtling down the road with no guidance. That passes quickly, though.

In the real world, I understand the concept, but I’ve grown so accustomed to gigantic navigation screens and their darker, night-color themes that this button doesn’t seem necessary. Oh, and of course there’s the old-school dimming knob most cars have for their gauges.