How Automatic Headlights Work

[@InsidiousClouds]

This is something that has mystified me for days, I'm glad to see a simple explaination

[@Rhaman68]

THE issue is that car owners do not know the AUTO mode in the headlight switch even exists!! Another issue is that owners assume headlights are for nighttime illumination vs safety and visibility! Dark rainy foggy days require lights ON as well when it’s raining and the AUTO mode may not work. Canada went past the AUTO headlight switch feature and all cars have lights ON always when the engine is running. Thanks for the technical explanation. Love the idea of covering the light sensor so AUTO mode turns ON the headlight always.

[@charliesmash]

Canada sucks.

[@grahamcampbell7699]

Thanks for a simplified and very well presented explanation.You helped me diagnose exactly what is wrong with my vehicle and for that I am so grateful.

[@marsoelflaco5722]

Thanks for a fine explanation. I think that automatic headlamps is a "silly" feature...something else that can break or go wrong. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but how much effort does it take to see that it is getting dark outside or that I'm entering a tunnel or dark garage and that I have to turn on a switch? I guess this is the future of automotive technology. ✌🏽

[@isoniem]

Idk personally as a new driver, I find it's nice to have less to think about so I can focus the most on the road

[@celsovera91]

Unfortunately I’m starting to see more and more drivers driving at night with their headlights off. A lot of new cars have instrument cluster’s that are already lit, So they think the headlights are on as well. Or some cars have LED drl’s and they think those are the headlights

[@loriburdoocraig8091]

So many people run without headlight in rain. Auto headlights makes sure that doesn't happen

[@angelblu27834]

It’s very useful if you drive with hand controls and both of tour hands are occupied while driving. It’s very useful to have automatic headlights.

[@Alex68dash]

As much as auto headlights can fail, at least with my 2002 tahoe my ambient light sensor failed that controls the automatic headlights. But since it failed it will automatically turn on the headlights when the ignition is turned on which is a good back up

[@davemcguigan218]

My Crosstrek has automatic headlights but I tend to put them on manually since I have been doing that for over 50 years. Some habits are hard to break!

[@CarsSimplified]

I prefer manual selecting because I am just stubbornly particular about stuff sometimes. My first car had automatic headlights, but I often still used manual. My route to school more recently has a tunnel situation that would cause the 'Trek to turn the lights on a second or two before reaching sunlight again, and it seemed like it would look silly from an outsider's perspective, so that got me sticking to manual lights even more.

[@nangsam-ns9123]

Very helpful information

[@Rhaman68]

The significant number of motorists driving in dark parking structures, at dawn/dusk, in fog, on cloudy overcast days, in tunnels without headlights is alarming. AUTO mode isTHE setting to be used for SAFETY even on vehicles with daylight running lights. Truly, it is an Use & Forget system. BE SAFE.

[@tuanbui3966]

Hey very informative thanks for that. Have a question, so my friend wanted to power on a LED sign that he had in his back window, he tapped into the auto head light on circuit so that whenever it gets dark the sign will power on at the same time the headlight comes on. The issue is he seems to be having a parasitic drain that when he parks the car for a couple weeks without driving it the battery is completely dead. This happened twice once was a brand new battery. He’s now on his 3rd battery, instead of gambling whether or not it may happen again. I wanted to help resolve this, this led sign is the only aftermarket accessory he has at the moment. He just got the car too so we’re not sure if this was occurring before the install. If it were me, I would have went a different route but he thinks since the led has a low power requirement than it shouldn’t affect it so much. Anyway what are your thoughts could this be our mystery drain culprit? Appreciate your help, many Thanks!

[@CherylHDavis]

If my crosstrek doesn’t have auto headlights can I add them by changing out the control arm on the steering column? In other words, is the HCU the same on any model (base vs upgraded) Crosstrek?

[@nicholasoghogho2965]

Magnificent 👍 bro... Pls make a video on headlight wiring!

[@CarsSimplified]

Thanks! By that do you mean show how to wire headlights from scratch, or just explain on the whiteboard how they are typically wired?

[@kavehramezani2071]

thank you for the explanation.

[@jimmibak9616]

So any idea what's wrong when my daytime driving lights is not coming on anymore with my auto light setting, when they can come on with my lightning turned on? Got my bumper changed and now i can't use auto light because i have No light on doing daytime.

[@saggioperduto_7566]

Be aware that AUTOmatic hadlights hide a huge danger. They don't turn on with fog and often rain in day time.

[@clivebryant6617]

How about a video where the wipers and lights come on automatically when it rains.

[@CarsSimplified]

Great idea! I'll try to get access to a car with that feature; my 2018 and 2021 model year vehicles both missed out on the feature.

[@azoo474]

So in my car since I bought it used at all time lights are on and that’s freak me out I’ve tested every single thing including the sensor but I couldn’t find anything wrong

[@azoo474]

Any suggestion to fix it or figure out what’s wrong?

[@Neon_Dre]

So are Auto headlights supposed to turn off when you turn the car itself off ??

[@CarsSimplified]

Generally they do, but they also tend to have a delay on newer vehicles that keeps them on so if you just parked somewhere with poor lighting at night, you can use the headlights to see for a bit. Depending on the car, if they continue to stay on, it may be a fault, a setting you can change, switched off based on your proximity via the key fob, or the switch is in the "on" position instead of "auto". Even then, most modern cars will auto-shut-off headlights after some time.

[@Neon_Dre]

@@CarsSimplified thanks so much for the response but yea, I have a 2005 Camry XLE and if it is night time and I turn my car completely off, my headlights will stay on even after a while . Also, I'm sure this started to happen after my key fob broke . So if it's due to the key fob, would a new one fix the issue ???

[@Rhaman68]

@@Neon_Dre No, it’s not a key fob issue. Check car owner’s manual for details on how to set the delay timing on headlights when turning the car engine off. Thanks

[@mrromantimothy]

I'm bright enough to figure it out for myself and I just want a switch to control them and the dome lights I don't want them coming on so I want to just disabled or seriously the harm and stop that computer from thinking for me just runs my battery dead when I don't need it running my headlights

[@montecraig7032]

People are to stupid to know when their lights should be on so they should come from the factory so that if it’s in drive the headlights and taillights come on.

[@mrromantimothy]

my battery is nearly dead and the stupid car is turning the headlights on that's something I cannot handle and we'll get rid of

[@tuanbui3966]

Well actually sir, when your driving your car, lights, radio, heater, a/c any other accessories requiring power, they will use your alternator, not your battery. Your battery is only is for starting your car, you can actually remove your battery while your car is running and it’ll drive completely normal, that is till you turn it off and need to restart it again is when you’ll need it.

[@Xirpzy]

Stupid feature. Its like the button instead of key and handbrake. I have less control of what the car and I myself am doing. Thanks for the explanation. Wish I could buy a new car with all the classic features.

[@jxmar_]

You’re not obligated to use auto headlights..