I just bought my 2018 F150 & LOVE it so far! However, I can't figure out how to turn on (or turn up) the backlights in the center stack? At night, the backlights are on - although very dim. How can I brighten these? I appreciate any help for this newbie question ..

 

It's on the panel with your Headlights by your left leg on the right side of it..

 

The only thing I can get that adjuster to do is brighten or dim the actual dash display and not these lights. Is that supposed to adjust these lights too?

 

I'm not 100% sure but I think there might be a setting that auto dims those lights. When the headlights are on. Look around in the dash and the infotainment screens.

 

I'm not finding anything! Is there a fuse or something that controls those things?

 

probably, but it will control the actual switch as well..

 

Which switch is that - the same one that controls the dimming adjustment of the dash lights?

 

They should adjust brighter and dimmer with the dash display. If they are on at all, it's not a fuse problem.

 

There is one issue with these lights that not many know about. If it any time Dark(Police) Mode gets set within FORScan/IDS, it permanently dims these lights. That is IIRC.
You bought the truck used so its possible somebody changed it, I did it to my 2015 XLT before trading .

 

I would love to turn all the dash/console lights off altogether! Modern vehicles are WAY too bright inside the cabin, especially the 8" SYNC display, which is why I keep it off after sunset. Between new headlight configurations, cheap-***, dangerous LED / HID conversions, distractions with cell phones and all the light inside the driver compartment, it's amazing anyone can see the road at all these days! Yeah, I know, I sound like an old fart!