Headlight problems with modern cars?

[DACH]

even when it rains? What car do you drive, if you don't mind my asking?

 

My auto-headlights will light up whenever the sensors detect a dip in ample lighting - how, I dunno.

 

What car you driving?

 

So high tech. 

[inlinesix]

Agree with OP that it's a design problem from the manufacturers. Before I switch to a car with auto headlights, my wife asked me when need to on light? I tell her that it's very simple, when you can't see your speedometer then just turn on. I have looked into the dashboards of all drivers that didn't on lights at night and their dashboard is all lighted up.

 

Partly it's also because Singapore is so brightly lit, those goondus can't tell if their headlights are on or off.

You and your wife forget what was thought in basic theory huh.

 

7pm must on headlight.

[ER-3682]

Mazda 6 Light Sensor is adjustable.... I adjusted to the Darkest...the best setting,or else the light will be on if stop under a Tree shade on a bright Sunny Day.

[Vratenza]

Talking autolight's sensor, some manufacturer's setting are too sensitive and the algorithm not well thought out. 

 

Eg. 2009 Lexus, the autolight's sensors are so sensitive that even passing under overhead bridge's shadow will trigger the headlamp being switch on. But irritating part is that it almost immediately switch itself off when you drove pass the shadow. So can you imagine the number of 'tic' .. 'tac' ... 'tic' .. 'tac' you hear if you drive the whole length of PIE?

 

For the 2017 Merc is much better, the sensors are sensitive but it allows a slight delay before switching on the headlamps. So passing under overhead bridge don't  usually trigger it. And after passing the shaded area, if triggered, it will allow a period to pass to confirm you are indeed no need for the headlamps then it will switch itself off.

 

[Terrylmt]

What about those cock-a-nat-han drivers who drive with their high beam on?

They are seriously another irritating bunch.

 

Many people may think that these tend to be our female counterparts, but I have saw a fair share of male doing that.

These ppl should be removed from the road.

 

Driving around with high beam in Singapore context where our roads are generally well lit.. is just irresponsible.

 

Depending on your car ride height, it could also be because they adjusted their headlamp projection angle higher, hence making it seem as though they are on high-beam when they aren't. Alternatively, could also be headlight fault or they accidentally turned it on, and didn't notice.

 

Hence, regular and active maintenance - as well as understanding how your car operates - should be strived for. However, there are those who will regard cars as means of transport and not bother. We can't win them all.

 

Yes my 4GClci not really sensitive as compare to previous ride of e60lci and e46lci

 

Maybe is led vs xenon or sensor not really sensitive like 2 previous cars

 

Current car only light up when sky or surrounding really not bright

 

Mscp and basement confirmed but tunnel sometimes don’t light up too

 

That’s why I use manual for headlamps now than Auto

 

Build quality is really bad now

 

BMW should be able to code. Check and see if can code your sensor sensitivity.

What car you driving?

 

So high tech. 

 

old 2011 car lei bro.. going to send to metallic hell in about 2+ years.

 

[Beanoyip]

See this problem on oblivious drivers all the time..

 

If the car is modern enough, shouldn't there be an 'auto' function on the headlight to turn on automatically upon detecting dim or low light conditions?

 

This should be a standard feature among all cars

NOTE: I am required by MCF forum software to pick a "Related Car Brand" - and hence went with the one which I see the most regular occurrence of. This is by no means a flame or "axe-to-grind" post.
 

Do you ever notice, ever so often, that a car's headlights are not turned on even though it is pitch black as coal in the sky?

 

I certainly do, and I confirm this by looking at the most obvious tell-tale sign - their rear license plate lights. If you notice, when you do turn on your headlights meant for illuminating the road ahead of you, your rear license lights will turn on. They will not turn on if you are on DRL (or low light) mode.

 

So why am I raising this topic? Because I am finding that more and more modern models from Honda, Toyota, etc. are traveling on the roads at night with no headlights on! And I attribute this to the fact that the instrument clusters of these vehicles are lit up regardless whether the headlights are on or not.

 

Back in the not-so-long-ago times, the instrument cluster would only light up if you turned your headlights on. But with the new digital instrument clusters, or forever-light-up-like-Christmas analog clusters - careless drivers are driving around without any lights, and potentially might cause harm to themselves, and other unwary/unobservant road users.

 

I keenly remember that my aunt's old Corolla Altis from 2004 already has auto-headlights as a default setting in the light stalk. Is it really that difficult to swivel it over to "A" for safety's sake? Also, no matter how cool or bright your DRLs are - they do not replace the headlights.

 

What do YOU think? Let's talk about that.

 

[Beanoyip]

Talking autolight's sensor, some manufacturer's setting are too sensitive and the algorithm not well thought out. 

 

Eg. 2009 Lexus, the autolight's sensors are so sensitive that even passing under overhead bridge's shadow will trigger the headlamp being switch on. But irritating part is that it almost immediately switch itself off when you drove pass the shadow. So can you imagine the number of 'tic' .. 'tac' ... 'tic' .. 'tac' you hear if you drive the whole length of PIE?

 

For the 2017 Merc is much better, the sensors are sensitive but it allows a slight delay before switching on the headlamps. So passing under overhead bridge don't  usually trigger it. And after passing the shaded area, if triggered, it will allow a period to pass to confirm you are indeed no need for the headlamps then it will switch itself off.

Ya there should be proper algorithm as well, if > 10-20s with low visibility, then turn on the lights..

[Baleno]

You and your wife forget what was thought in basic theory huh.

 

7pm must on headlight.

"7pm then must on headlight" was quoted to me by friends who refused to on theirs even when it got dark earlier some times or heavy rain.

They only on at 7pm as required by the law!

 

 

And they don't set on Auto because use extra power.

Edited August 28, 2018 by Baleno

[Beanoyip]

"7pm then must on headlight" was quoted to me by friends who refused to on theirs even when it got dark earlier some times or heavy rain.

They only on at 7pm as required by the law!

 

 

And they don't set on Auto because use extra power.

I literally fell off my chair with this comment...

[Baleno]

I literally fell off my chair with this comment...

 

I felt the same too with this kind of reasoning. Don't get me started on their refusal to install car cam.

[Atrecord]

Not sure if anyone notice. But when your headlights is off, the illumination of the cluster is brighter when comparing to the headlights when switched off. Reason is that when the headlights is off, the settings assume that the vehicle is under bright sunlight and the cluster glows more intense for the driver to see the contrast. Something like your mobile phone. It's quite hard to miss actually.

 

However, there is a setting in my car which switch on the rear lights, off the headlights and dims the DRL (comparing to turning the lights off). I once drove with that setting around. Don't know what is it for and I did not read the manual.

 

You're right about the cluster illumination becoming brighter when headlights are off.

 

In fact, the panel of buttons that control the HU, aircon, front/rear demister, etc. will i think lit up when the auto headlights turn on. Then when headlights off, those panel buttons light will also off.

[StingerGT]

What car you driving?

 

So high tech. 

 

I thought modern new cars with Auto headlights is meant to serve this purpose? Can even adjust if you want it to come on "earlier" "normal" or "later". 

 

I go carwash will turn off headlights but the DRL still remains on, after leaving the car will prompt me to put headlights back to Auto.

 

And for Audi, the DRL is brighter when headlights isn't on  so sometimes I turn off engine so all lights are off, don't blind the guys washing my car.

[Terrylmt]

See this problem on oblivious drivers all the time..

 

If the car is modern enough, shouldn't there be an 'auto' function on the headlight to turn on automatically upon detecting dim or low light conditions?

 

This should be a standard feature among all cars

 

The oldest pedestrian model that I have seen this feature available on is my aunt's 2004 Toyota Corolla Altis. So really wonder what the deterrent is for folks to not use it.

"7pm then must on headlight" was quoted to me by friends who refused to on theirs even when it got dark earlier some times or heavy rain.

They only on at 7pm as required by the law!

 

 

And they don't set on Auto because use extra power.

 

https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/safety/automatic-lights

 

And no, I do not believe it is empirically proven that auto headlights use extra power.

 

You're right about the cluster illumination becoming brighter when headlights are off.

 

In fact, the panel of buttons that control the HU, aircon, front/rear demister, etc. will i think lit up when the auto headlights turn on. Then when headlights off, those panel buttons light will also off.

 

In some clusters that I have observed - if the headlights turn on, the backlight of the instruments change hue accordingly, i.e. white in the day time, and amber at night. That's also a good way to ascertain if you have turn on your headlights as well.

 

[Nicholas]

"7pm then must on headlight" was quoted to me by friends who refused to on theirs even when it got dark earlier some times or heavy rain.

They only on at 7pm as required by the law!

 

 

And they don't set on Auto because use extra power.

Haha, well they are not wrong but it's a silly reason. Are you sure they are not trolling you?

[Mason016]

Not just self centred. They are Idiots because they lack sense of self preservation.

Don't know coincidental or not, noticed many of those without headlights on at night are dark coloured cars.

 

I switch my car headlights on because I want to Be Visible to other road users. And not just at night, will do it whenever it rains.

Also must remember to indent the 10k signal stalk option. I also indented one.

[Tiger1]

Never on headlight are Batman driving, got night vision.

 

On high beams all the way are Blind man driving, can't see in low light.

[Volvobrick]

Some of the reasons given for not using the Auto function are like having the Bluetooth feature but not pairing (many drivers don't pair) to save power, or having auto gears but shift it manually to save fuel.

 

Then should really save big money by buying the simplest and cheapest car in the first place.

 

If I have auto lights, I want it to be as sensitive as possible, reacting immediately to the first dip in brightness, not to add complicated algorithms that would likely go wrong.

[sHy3r]

Well - then you should consider turning the light off if you reckon it is too bright for headlights to be on. I'll rather err on the side of caution than risk the safety of others. If my light turns on, it turns on. I don't see any problem with that to be honest. Unless I am unconsciously on high-beams of course.

 

Well, if im on Halogen light bulbs, i dun mind switching to Auto Headlights.

 

But HID....