smizit Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 Apologies if this has been covered but I can't find it: My "Auto Headlights" come on even in daylight to the point where I just use the manual on off - Are they that sensitive in everyones car? Eg. A friends Merc's Auto HL will be off in daytime, semilit in tunnels/dim/evening and full at night. Maybe I have some settings incorrect or maybe thats how it is for everyone or maybe it's a warranty job.... Thanks for the advice. smizit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smizit Posted May 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 Also how does the "Coming Home lights" function work? I thought it would again be like the Merc - Turn off car, the fogs or smaller lights come on and stay on for about 30 secs. I dont have a highline computer so maybe that is the problem? cheers smizit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfd Posted May 1, 2007 Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 I have the same question with Auto headlights as I just got my car and it had the lights on this morning (with auto setting) and while it was overcast the lights stayed on. Reading the manual I thought they only come on at night and/or over 15kmh when the rain sensor has the wipers going continuously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 They just seem to do what they like as sometimes they are on when it seems quite bright. A lot depends on cloud cover etc and how the sensor reads the light levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzGTI Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 The headlights on auto do seem to be a bit sensitive, as soon as the light dims they are on. There are times when I've been sitting in traffic on what appears to be an Ok day in terms of light and they pop on. So what the manual says and what they do does not exactly gel. I've had the car two years nearly and have asked for the ligthts to be checked but am told they are working perfectly. Iguess if you don't want them popping on then set them to manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Another sound reason to set 'Doors to Manual' is on 'auto' the lights come on automatically above a 'slightly illegal' UK speed.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 From my experience of my Passat, the lights come on in the following conditions: About the same time the street lights come on When it's really really sunny When it's raining hard When you go over xx MPH They are also sometimes slow to come off, so if you go in a tunnel, when you come out, they don't immediately go off. I prefer this though because a friends Jag had lights that came off straight away, and at dusk, they came off and went on depending on what hill he went down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 What slightly illegal speed would that be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalex Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 100mph, or so I heard! I would never break the speed limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 My advice is not to use the Auto setting for headlights during normal daylight running. Because they are inclined to switch themselves on and off purely on the basis of lighting level and hence deep shadow on a sunny day will activate them, there's the definite possibility of communicating the wrong information to another motorist: "BANG!!!! Ooops! I thought when I saw your lights come on and off that you were indicating you were letting me out from the side road" etc. They activate on/off purely based on a light level and not necessarily when you would do so as the driver in control. Potentially dangerous imo. The only times I use the Auto setting is when entering my garage and sometimes when exiting just to check if the ambient lighting level needs my lights switched on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 To which you'd reply... "If you knew your highway code you'd know that flashing of lights is for a warning to replace the honking of the horn..." Cue hundreds of people correcting my probably incorrect recollection of the highway code. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Yes, that's right. However, you're supposed to go round the outside of someone when turning right at traffic lights if they are turning right. But if you did that, you'd die pretty quickly. Same with the headlights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 It's alright i'm a flasher normally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 I was told last week on my course to use headlights (in daytime) to alert someone to my presence such as before overtaking and I was encouraged to use the horn for the same reason but as a next level step. Being stationery and flashing twice in succession obviously tells another motorist to proceed, but they must use their own judgement whether to or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalex Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I was told last week on my course to use headlights (in daytime) to alert someone to my presence such as before overtaking and I was encouraged to use the horn for the same reason but as a next level step. Being stationery and flashing twice in succession obviously tells another motorist to proceed, but they must use their own judgement whether to or not. [/ QUOTE ] The horn could easily be misinterpreted as an agressive action. You might get two fingers from your overtakee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 ....No, it shouldn't be interpreted as an aggressive action unless you use it aggressively - A short bip is not aggressive. If you can spare a hand, also try a friendly acnowledgement to say thanks for letting me overtake . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 hmm, a spare hand only if you has dsg... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 [ QUOTE ] ....No, it shouldn't be interpreted as an aggressive action unless you use it aggressively - A short bip is not aggressive. If you can spare a hand, also try a friendly acnowledgement to say thanks for letting me overtake . [/ QUOTE ] Perhaps our European friends would see it that way but I sadly suspect in England it would be misinterpreted and probably responded to with a masturbatory gesture or the likes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 ....Check out the (UK) Highway Code. Why are the English so afraid to use the horn ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 I think the British take it personally - almost like being publically humiliated for an error of their ways. Anyone 'tooting' to make them aware of their presence is considered to be being 'pushy'. Perhaps it comes down to that 'stiff upper lip' thing and forming 'nice orderly queues' to buy things etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 I think you are right, T_T, but I'm only part English . Personally I don't care what anyone thinks of me if politely beeping my horn saves both me and someone else from a possible accident. Have you ever driven in Italy or Greece ? They're not shy about using the horn and it's totally acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalex Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 [ QUOTE ] ....Check out the (UK) Highway Code. Why are the English so afraid to use the horn ? [/ QUOTE ] The Highway Code is all very well, but a lot of people on the roads ignore it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 ....Sure, but they'd be better drivers if they took more notice of it imo and the roads might even be safer (less accidents). Having taken my driving test over 40 years ago and then doing the day course with Drivetrain last week, the Highway Code was an eye-opener and wake-up call. Crikey! What's happening to me? Am I suddenly becoming law-abiding? There's one sign I 'misinterpret' and that's the GLF sign . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 Is that the white one with the diagonal black stripe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Is that the white one with the diagonal black stripe? [/ QUOTE ] ....You past your test ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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