Still debating between the TL and the G35. I like the TL better but I'm in Northern Cal and there is still no negotiation on price. argh.

Anyways, was just curious -- from what I can tell it doesn't look like the TL has automatic headlights. Even my '97 Pontiac Grand Am had that! Is this true?

 

Yes its true, 04 TL = no auto headlights.....

 

Auto Off.... But not auto on..

Like what others have said.. I wouldn't prefer to have it on Auto since the headlights are
Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights. I wouldn't like it when i'm heading in the tunnel and the lights turn on.. and when i exit the lights off again

 

Welcome to the forum.

Auto headlight ain't so important to most of cars' owners, it seems to be the good feature to have on the car. But, I mean, without it, you still can enjoy driving it.

A few years later, you may talk the same words to other ppl, "why don't you use BT on your car? My 04 TL has it... " So...

 

Make sure to check out Acura of Sunnyvale, Its in the south bay, but well worth the drive.

 

I'll check out the sunnyvale dealership, thanks! I work in Redwood city so its not too far out of my way.

I still hate that the car doesn't have auto headlights but I can deal with it I think the reason cheaper cars like my pontiac have it is to keep people from driving with just the daytime running lamps on -- bright enough to see by, but no taillights.

I'm trying to hold out for the '05's, but I'm not sure I can stand it much longer

 

wait it out buddy, wait it out. when it comes out, check it out, if it's not to your liking, i'm assuming you could just rob a dealer of an 04 w/ Nav

 

they dont turn on automatically when it is dark..the switch on the rear view mirror is for peoples high beams...it darkens the mirror for u...the lights only turn on and off automatically if u leave them on and turn them off an on with the remote..when u lock and unlock the doors....i leave them on when i am getting in and out of my car at night time....then when i lock the doors the lights go off when i unlock doors they come on

 

Both the G35S/X and TL have one quirk (to me) that isnt important in the bigger picture but makes me wonder sometimes: a) the G35S/X doesnt have hood jacks and b) the TL doesnt have auto-on headlights.

IMO, it's not particularly necessary in and of itself. However, on near luxury brands (Infiniti and Acura) those should be a given. (My base equipped 02 Maxima has both features standard.)

It just makes me wonder why both would take these shortcuts.

Peace.

 

and why can't i get a gauge for my winshield fluid?

 

U asked this before... man...

 

Just leave 'em on. What's the difference? I found that when I've used them in previous cars and in my wife's car, they never go on/off when I want them to anyway. So, I just leave them on all the time in my wife's car too (even though she has auto headlights).

 

I don't care for auto headlights personally, but the only problem I see is that with the LED dashboard always lit up, you sometimes forget to turn them off when it's daylight. But the warning chime will sound so it's no big deal.

G or TL, you'll have a great car either way. Just depends what matters most to you. I love the great GAS mileage the TL gets. Makes a big difference when premium costs as much as it does now!!!!!

 

And you also have the little green headlight indicator to help remind you.


The high cost and relatively shorter life of the HID's has made many people rethink the "leave them on all the time" philosophy.

 

Really!? I thought HIDs last longer (maybe even the life of the car. If that's the case, then maybe I will rethink leaving them on. Anyone have any experience with how long HIDs last?

 

dont know, but xenon HID last longer not shorter than halogen bulb. b/c it's the gas gets exited when power is on. it uses less voltage and generates less heat resulting longer life.

 

I have read 4,000 hours as the expected life span of the HID's, which is shortened by turning them on and off, but I don't know how much.

What we need here is someone with definitive references to the lifespan of the differing bulbs used in vehicles and the effects of turning them on and off.

We desperately need a "Road Rage Journals: HID", but unless they are petroleum based, we may have to look elsewhere.

 

philips website:
Xenon HID


More than twice the amount of light compared to a halogen bulb while consuming half the power. And more light means more safety and security on our roads.
The clear white light enables drivers to concentrate better.
Reflects the road markings and signs better.
Due to its lower power consumption, Xenon bulbs contribute to saving energy and are thus more environmentally friendly than halogen bulbs.
The life span of a Xenon bulb equals that of the car, which means that the bulb will not wear out under normal usage.




Characteristic:
Gas discharge technology gives more than 2 times light and 3-5 times longer life than halogen bulbs.



Application:
Due to the complexities of the Xenon HID system it can only be factory fitted at origin in new cars only. Today all quality car manufacturers offer Xenon light as either standard or as an option for their new cars. Ask your local car dealer about Xenon HID possibilities.


Colour stability:
One of the physical properties of Xenon gas discharge bulbs is that the colour changes over life time. The colour shifts towards the blue end of the colour spectrum. Consequently when only one bulb is replaced on a car, either because it has reached the end of its life or due to an accident, the colour impression of the new bulb compared to the older existing one will be different, i.e. more yellow.

The Philips Xenon HID bulb is the most blue on the market compared to major competitors. Therefore Philips Xenon HID gives the best colour match when fitted with an older existing bulb.



Note "Please note that Xenon light can only be fitted by a professional car dealer. To comply with European legal requirements Xenon light can only be fitted to your car in combination with an "automatic leveling device" and a headlamp whindshield clearning system". To find out more, please consult our FAQ section."

 

more info here:
for sure hid will last longger than hologen
http://www.jwspeaker.com/hid_information.htm

 

baby baby one more time
http://www.xenondepot.com/faq.php

 

There are two ways to do that.

1. Buy another car
2. Buy a TL in Canada

Good luck.

 

Cool. That's what I thought. I guess I can just keep leaving them on. Thanks!

 

Well, I really don't know which one is correct info... .

 

I have auto on-off headlights on my minivan and I don't use the feature because it will shorten the life of my HIDs:

Turn the car on, garage is dark, headlights come on
drive the car out, headlights go off
go into a tunnel or under an elevated subway, headlights go on
come out, headlights go off
drive into my garage, headlights go on
turn the car off, headlights go off.

If I left the lights on auto, the headlights would turn on/off at least 3 times extra every day and for less than 30 seconds each time. I'm not too lazy to turn the stalk when it's dark.