View Poll Results: Do you use the automatic setting on your headlights?
Yes; the switch is on 'AUTO' all the time
13
22.41%
Yes but I sometimes turn the lights on manually
13
22.41%
No, I don't use the 'AUTO' setting
9
15.52%
My car doesn't have automatic lights
23
39.66%
Voters: 58. You may not vote on this poll
Automatic Headlights?
#1
Evil Mazda Driver
Thread Starter
Automatic Headlights?
If your car has them, do you use them? All of our cars with automatic lights (RL, Santa Fe, and RX300) are set to 'AUTO'. Occasionally I will override in heavy rain or when on dangerous, 2-lane highways through the mountains for the most part, my lights are left on automatic.
#2
That was uncalled for...
My Taurus has it. I like it but sometimes (like you mentioned, in rain or early dusk) they don't come on soon enough. There's a way to adjust it but never felt like taking apart my dash for it.
I think it should be standard on all vehicles. Too many dimwits driving with no lights at night...
I think it should be standard on all vehicles. Too many dimwits driving with no lights at night...
#3
Suzuka Master
All of my cars have the option of Auto Headlights (save the Accord) and I never use it. It's because I'm a whore and my HIDs are always on even in bright daylight.
#4
I don't really have a choice. Whether or not I choose to, if it's dark out, the headlights will come on if the light sensor (forgot its fancy schmancy technical name... photovoltaic?) gets triggered. I did get spoiled by it though.
#6
Senior Moderator
My new RDX is my first car with auto headlights. I'm still getting used to not turning them on and off myself. Sometimes I catch myself turning them off. I'm trying to leave it on auto and just turn them on myself during rain or other times as necessary.
#7
Suzuka Master
I dont have them, but my dad does, and he does it manually mainly because if its on auto the lights will turn on with the car in the garage and he doesn't want that because it drains
the battery a little.
edit: Its more because he turns it off when he turns the car off because that drains the battery more.
the battery a little.
edit: Its more because he turns it off when he turns the car off because that drains the battery more.
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#8
None of my cars have an auto mode.
#9
Auto headlights should be standard with these new type of gauge clusters which stay lit all the time (the proper term escapes me at the moment). I see a lot of idiots in newer cars driving without headlights ON, while their cluster is lit and they have very dim DRL's.
On topic, I don't have them and I really don't care. If a car comes with it thats fine, if not I am not going to shell out extra $$ to get that option.
On topic, I don't have them and I really don't care. If a car comes with it thats fine, if not I am not going to shell out extra $$ to get that option.
#10
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I never use them. The reason I don't is because my car stays in my shop at night and everytime you start the car in there the headlights come on and then go right off when I pull out. I was told that this puts some wear on the hid's in the fogs and the projectors in my headlights. Right or wrong I don't need to take the chance.
#11
Three Wheelin'
I leave mine on auto 90% of the time. I hate it when it's dawn or dusk, if I change direction and car faces a different position towards the sun, it'll turn itself on or off. Then when I turn again, it'll do the opposite. People in front of me must thing I'm flashing my xenons at them when it's just my auto headlights can't make up it's mind.
#12
#14
Senior Moderator
Me neither. I want to decide when my lights are on or off. I always see cars with auto headlights having their lights come on when they're going through a short underpass or something like that. No thanks.
Same with rain-sensing wipers. Meh. People are getting lazy.
Same with rain-sensing wipers. Meh. People are getting lazy.
#15
Evil Mazda Driver
Thread Starter
#17
Three Wheelin'
#18
That was uncalled for...
Auto headlights should be standard with these new type of gauge clusters which stay lit all the time (the proper term escapes me at the moment). I see a lot of idiots in newer cars driving without headlights ON, while their cluster is lit and they have very dim DRL's.
On topic, I don't have them and I really don't care. If a car comes with it thats fine, if not I am not going to shell out extra $$ to get that option.
On topic, I don't have them and I really don't care. If a car comes with it thats fine, if not I am not going to shell out extra $$ to get that option.
I think this is an issue that needs to be taken care of. Vehicles with these gauges should come with auto headlights...
These gauges appear nice and bright so the drivers think their headlights are on...
#21
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I have it on one of my cars and never use it.
You can't fix stupid. How many times have you seen an idiot driving around with high beams on when they aren't needed? I've seen my share of idiots driving around with high beams on during the day. Regardless if they set them to auto or not, the driver should be aware of what the hell they are doing. I think we've added too much automation and for that reason, we've enabled many more people to not think about what they should be doing because they expect someone/something else to take care of shit for them. What I wish more cars had were better reminder systems letting you know that you should have your headlights on, your high beams off, that sorta thing and giving the driver the ability to control those reminders (canceling them, acting upon them, etc). Most cars already have these systems built-in to them with oil service reminders, tire pressure, etc, why not fully utilize it for other things as well.
Auto headlights should be standard with these new type of gauge clusters which stay lit all the time (the proper term escapes me at the moment). I see a lot of idiots in newer cars driving without headlights ON, while their cluster is lit and they have very dim DRL's.
On topic, I don't have them and I really don't care. If a car comes with it thats fine, if not I am not going to shell out extra $$ to get that option.
On topic, I don't have them and I really don't care. If a car comes with it thats fine, if not I am not going to shell out extra $$ to get that option.
Last edited by Sly Raskal; 09-28-2010 at 03:02 PM.
#23
I have them on my TL but i dont' use them. Acura's logic, when it comes to auto headlights, does not make sense.
If the setting is on "auto" and I go grab something in the car, unlock the car.. the lights turn on. I don't need to be on when i unlock the dam car. Another thing is, if you unlock it, then get it, it briefly turns off and back on again when you start the car.
I don't want to put this unnecessary wear and tear on the HID's so i just use it manually.
In contrast, the last toyota I was in seemed to have a pretty good system. In "auto" mode, the headlights would turn on when the car was put in drive. Seems pretty dam logical to me!
same for mercedes in auto mode how the fogs and parking lights turn on when you unlock, but the headlights don't turn on until you actually start the car. no unnecessary wear once again! Take note acura!
If the setting is on "auto" and I go grab something in the car, unlock the car.. the lights turn on. I don't need to be on when i unlock the dam car. Another thing is, if you unlock it, then get it, it briefly turns off and back on again when you start the car.
I don't want to put this unnecessary wear and tear on the HID's so i just use it manually.
In contrast, the last toyota I was in seemed to have a pretty good system. In "auto" mode, the headlights would turn on when the car was put in drive. Seems pretty dam logical to me!
same for mercedes in auto mode how the fogs and parking lights turn on when you unlock, but the headlights don't turn on until you actually start the car. no unnecessary wear once again! Take note acura!
#24
Drifting
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Stockton, California
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I don't have them and I'm happy about that. I typically drive to work around 6:30 and I see cars whose lights continue to turn on and off because of the weird angle of the sun. Then again, if I leave at 6:00 I see people driving without headlights on despite it being completely dark.
#26
Senior Moderator
On my 760 it used to be the same, but the dealership did an update and after that it works regardless of Auto or on. It added a few other features to so I'm happy!
#29
Senior Moderator
I have them on my TL but i dont' use them. Acura's logic, when it comes to auto headlights, does not make sense.
If the setting is on "auto" and I go grab something in the car, unlock the car.. the lights turn on. I don't need to be on when i unlock the dam car. Another thing is, if you unlock it, then get it, it briefly turns off and back on again when you start the car.
I don't want to put this unnecessary wear and tear on the HID's so i just use it manually.
In contrast, the last toyota I was in seemed to have a pretty good system. In "auto" mode, the headlights would turn on when the car was put in drive. Seems pretty dam logical to me!
same for mercedes in auto mode how the fogs and parking lights turn on when you unlock, but the headlights don't turn on until you actually start the car. no unnecessary wear once again! Take note acura!
If the setting is on "auto" and I go grab something in the car, unlock the car.. the lights turn on. I don't need to be on when i unlock the dam car. Another thing is, if you unlock it, then get it, it briefly turns off and back on again when you start the car.
I don't want to put this unnecessary wear and tear on the HID's so i just use it manually.
In contrast, the last toyota I was in seemed to have a pretty good system. In "auto" mode, the headlights would turn on when the car was put in drive. Seems pretty dam logical to me!
same for mercedes in auto mode how the fogs and parking lights turn on when you unlock, but the headlights don't turn on until you actually start the car. no unnecessary wear once again! Take note acura!
#30
Senior Moderator
Also, at those strange times of the day when the lighting can change so quickly, I sometimes switch the lights to "on" instead of auto, to avoid any on and off annoyances.
General awareness seems to be lacking in the population these days, but I don't now if auto headlights helps relieve it or encourage it.
General awareness seems to be lacking in the population these days, but I don't now if auto headlights helps relieve it or encourage it.
#33
Three Wheelin'
I have them on my TL but i dont' use them. Acura's logic, when it comes to auto headlights, does not make sense.
If the setting is on "auto" and I go grab something in the car, unlock the car.. the lights turn on. I don't need to be on when i unlock the dam car. Another thing is, if you unlock it, then get it, it briefly turns off and back on again when you start the car.
I don't want to put this unnecessary wear and tear on the HID's so i just use it manually.
In contrast, the last toyota I was in seemed to have a pretty good system. In "auto" mode, the headlights would turn on when the car was put in drive. Seems pretty dam logical to me!
same for mercedes in auto mode how the fogs and parking lights turn on when you unlock, but the headlights don't turn on until you actually start the car. no unnecessary wear once again! Take note acura!
If the setting is on "auto" and I go grab something in the car, unlock the car.. the lights turn on. I don't need to be on when i unlock the dam car. Another thing is, if you unlock it, then get it, it briefly turns off and back on again when you start the car.
I don't want to put this unnecessary wear and tear on the HID's so i just use it manually.
In contrast, the last toyota I was in seemed to have a pretty good system. In "auto" mode, the headlights would turn on when the car was put in drive. Seems pretty dam logical to me!
same for mercedes in auto mode how the fogs and parking lights turn on when you unlock, but the headlights don't turn on until you actually start the car. no unnecessary wear once again! Take note acura!
my current 3.5RL have the auto function and i hardly use it. sometimes it turns on too late at dawn or too often when going under bridges (on off on off on off). i'm sure other drivers in front of me must think i'm stupid or blind! also, whenever i enter my garage, it always turns on but i'm out of my car in 3 secs. again, that's unnecessary wear and tear.
overall, i think it's a great feature for those who tends to forget about turning their headlights on at night.
#35
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Is it any different than a motorcyclist that drives with their headlights on during the day? It's also no different than a car that has DRLs.
My wife's car doesn't have DRLs so whenever I drive it, I always turn the headlights on, day or night. It just helps other drivers notice you more to help prevent a collision.
My wife's car doesn't have DRLs so whenever I drive it, I always turn the headlights on, day or night. It just helps other drivers notice you more to help prevent a collision.
#37
Three Wheelin'
at least you don't drive around the day with your highbeams on. in canada, DRLs are mandatory during the day. i've heard you can get pulled over for a ticket for not turning on your headlights/DRL. i'm so glad i can still have my choice. we have 2 cars (one toyota and one lexus) in the family with auto DRLs; i managed to defeat that feature bec. i think it's unnecessary and adds more drain on the charging system, esp. in hot summer days. i know the logic behind DRLs is to make others aware of you, but really, if an accident is going to happen, it'll happen regardless if you have light show or fire works around you!
Last edited by silver3.5; 09-29-2010 at 11:30 AM.
#38
Missing My CL-S
iTrader: (1)
Is it any different than a motorcyclist that drives with their headlights on during the day? It's also no different than a car that has DRLs.
My wife's car doesn't have DRLs so whenever I drive it, I always turn the headlights on, day or night. It just helps other drivers notice you more to help prevent a collision.
My wife's car doesn't have DRLs so whenever I drive it, I always turn the headlights on, day or night. It just helps other drivers notice you more to help prevent a collision.
#39
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I've seen cars that I know have DRLs on them, where the driver still runs the headlights during the day. In some cars, the DRLs just aren't bright enough, and depending on the time of day and direction you are driving, the Sun can cancel out that light very easily because most DRLs just aren't bright enough.
#40
at least you don't drive around the day with your highbeams on. in canada, DRLs are mandatory during the day. i've heard you can get pulled over for a ticket for not turning on your headlights/DRL. i'm so glad i can still have my choice. we have 2 cars (one toyota and one lexus) in the family with auto DRLs; i managed to defeat that feature bec. i think it's unnecessary and adds more drain on the charging system, esp. in hot summer days. i know the logic behind DRLs is to make others aware of you, but really, if an accident is going to happen, it'll happen regardless if you have light show or fire works around you!
Saying an accident will happen regardless is somewhat :ghey:. No offense, but just not true. If an accident is bound to happen, sure -- but you're saying there's no point in avoidance either.