Can anyone tell me if the interior light comes on when they open their rear hatch? I went to put my jumper cables in the back of my new RDX and noticed it was totally dark back there with the hatch open. If I open one of the doors they come on no problem, so the switch is in the right position up front.

thanks,
Brad

 

Nevermind, found the little light in the hatch door, it was turned off.

 

Seems like they come in the "off" position from the factory.

 

Yes they do come in the off position but you can leave them switched on and they will turn themselves on and off when the tailgate opens and closes.

 

I think this switch was probably unnecessary. I can't think of many instances when you would want to keep the switch in "off" position.

 

Which begs the question: Why are they shipped that way?

 

There are many times I have tools loaded in the back of my RDX, and while I am working in someone's driveway, I am constantly going back and forth getting something. I just leave the hatch up with the lights off.

 

The lights aren't needed for the day time though so that's the only time they wouldn't be needed on. It'll save the lifespan of the bulbs. However, the tailgate isn't left open for long periods of time. It would be nice if they were as smart as the auto headlight feature and only came on when it was dark and stayed of when it was light out.

 

Or they could be programmed to simply turn off after a few minutes anyway. I feel the switch was sort of waste, except for the previous poster (Rosen) who was working with tools in trunk area.

 

Just leave them turned on and everything works how it should. Chances of bulbs burning out is slim.

 

It's nice to have them off during a long tailgating party. Saves the battery a bit.