Is 'off' on or off? Is 'on' on or off?

[LaPreston]

on means on, off means off. Here is relevant knowledge about car switches: 1. Usage of light switches: Most light switches are located on the left combination switch. Up is the right turn signal, down is the left turn signal. Forward is high beam, backward switches between high and low beams. Rotating the head of the combination switch forward once turns on parking lights, and further forward turns on headlights. 2. Usage of high and low beams: Low beam switch is used for normal night driving in urban areas or under street lights; High beam switch is prohibited for night driving in cities. The flashing switch (alternating between low and high beams) serves as a warning function - if the other vehicle doesn't dim lights, or when passing intersections at night, usually lift the light control lever upward.

[AllisonFitz]

I remember being confused by this when I first started driving. Later, I specifically looked it up and learned that the car switch symbols are related to electrical circuits. "Off" means to turn off, which is the state where the circuit is disconnected, and the device stops working. "On" means to turn on, representing that the circuit is powered, and the device operates normally. This is the same logic as the switches on household appliances—when you turn it off, the light goes out. Common switches in cars, like those for lights and air conditioning, follow this design. When you see a knob or button labeled "off," don’t touch it to keep the device off; to activate the device, turn it to the "on" position. When I first started driving, I often got them mixed up, so I stuck a note near the steering wheel to remind myself.

[LeviLynn]

Actually, I specifically asked a car mechanic about this. The 'off' marking on car switches indicates the closed state, while 'on' is the activated state. This design is universally adopted in global automobile manufacturing, after all, the English word 'off' means to cut off the power. Think about the headlight switch or wiper switch - when turned to 'off', the lights go out, and they only turn on when adjusted to 'on'. Having driven for over a decade, I've developed the habit of checking all switches to ensure they're in the 'off' position before leaving the car, especially since forgetting to turn off the headlights can drain the battery. Beginners often confuse the fog light switch with the low beam switch during night driving, but just remember one principle: if the device doesn't respond when you press or turn the switch, first check if it's in the 'off' position.

[StJulianna]

It's simple, 'off' means to turn something off, while 'on' means to turn it on. All switches with these two labels in cars follow the same logic. Someone like me who has driven seven or eight different car models can figure out the pattern of new car switches in just a couple of minutes. Take the air conditioning control panel, for example—when the red indicator light is on, it means the system is running, which is 'on'; pressing the 'off' button turns the light off and shuts down the system. The same rule applies to trunk switches and seat heater switches. Some cars add a circle icon on the button to indicate 'off,' making it more intuitive. If you're still unsure, the most reliable way is to start the engine and test the switch directly.