I did not get any replies to me 6/20 post so let me try again. Does the speedometer/tachometer needles on a 2008 V70 illuminate in any way ?

I have had my V70 for a week. Great car but I find it difficult to see the speedometer/tachometer at night. The dial itself is back-lite so, at night, the numbers show up well and the intensity of this illumination can be adjusted. I had expected the needle that indicates the current speed would itself receive special illumination so that it would glow red above the numbers. However, the needle does not appear to have any special illumination. As a result, at night the needle appears as a shadow above the back-lite dial and the current speed is that number below this shadow. I would be flabbergasted if is this is what the Volvo engineers intended.

I did stop back at my Volvo dealer to present this problem. I suspect that something (bulb/LED/fiber optic/etc.) is not working as intended and that is is cause of the problem. The dealership was not aware of this being a problem with the V70 (supporting my thought that its something with my specific car) but they could not confirm that the needle should receive any special illumination. Of course, it is impossible to demonstrate the problem during daylight and the service department closes before nightfall.

I need some input from other 2008 V70 owners. Do you have issues seeing the speedometer needle at night? Does the needle glow red by itself or does it receive special illumination in some way? I have a service appointment at the dealership next Monday (6/29) and would like to have some feedback before then. Thanks!

 

I don't own a 2008, but I can tell you that I know for a fact that other manufacturers with electroluminescent (back lit) gauges do not all use lighting in the needles. Like you said, the needle can still be seen against the background, which is considered enough.