Can instrument panel lights be disabled?

I was at the drive-in movies last just after purchasing my Ridgeline (same day I got it) and it was early August and hot. I could not figure out how to disable the instrument panel lights when the vehicle was running (to use the a/c) and the lights were turned off. Anyone know of a better solution than stuffing a sweatshirt between the steering wheel and instrument cluster?

There is a small wheel integrated into the dashboard up and left from the steering wheel. That dims the instrument panel, i dont think you can turn off the dash lights.

I just checked the service manual and don't see any easy way. The only way to control them manually would be to remove the cluster and splice a switch into the wiring just before the lamps. There is no fuse that you can remove without disabling the a lot of other things. I also looked to see if there is any special combination of inputs that you can do but didn't find anything detailed.

There is a small wheel integrated into the dashboard up and left from the steering wheel. That dims the instrument panel, i dont think you can turn off the dash lights.
I know about the dial. thank you though. I'll have to take another look. I thought I recalled the dial only impacting the brightness when the headlights were on. I did find that when the ignition was just one click on to run the radio the instrument lights would mostly turn off after a few minutes except for the gear indicator lights. But I wanted to run the A/C, so I put a shirt over the gauges.

My error. The dimmer still dims the instrument lights when the headlights are off. What I was thinking is that the dash lights are not as bright when the headlights are turned on, but the dimmer still controls the brightness in both modes. However, I still wish there was something like the locked position for super bright, but on the other end to "off". I still love the Ridgeline way more than my 2003 s-10 crew cab though, lol.

Drive-in? Any chance you were in Wellfleet?
Any way, at the drive-in, I would opt not to use the A/C... Ya you got tint in them back windows. I'd move back a row and remove clothing... Unless the company didn't allow for this...:eek:

haha, it wasn't a "fog" issue. I was at the Tri-Town Drive-in in Lunenburg because that's the one I am familiar with since I grew up in that area. It was muggy and there were mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds (not really, but isn't that the Maine state bird?) trying to get in through the windows. Seems like it's a 60 mile trip to any drive in from where I am on the south shore.

60 miles is closer than any drive-ins for me... Not many left.
I have 2 kids so even if I was lucky enough to get to a drive-in, the movie most likely will be a Pixar flick... Ya the romance scene at the movies for me is loooooong gone. My windows would be fogging from me constantly telling the kids to be quiet, not touch each other and stay on there own side of the truck!! :o