Auto lights

[n.jazz]

Hello, new to Honda Jazz driving, and just took the car out  during early evening for the first time yesterday , and noticed the lights automatically coming on even though it was not really that dark outside. I then realized that Auto is the standard setting as the 0 'Off' position is not  an allowed selectable permanent position on the turn knob of the lights/indicator lever of my 1.3 SE Jazz 2016 model. I can only turn the light off when I stop after turning and holding the selector knob  on the lever clockwise towards me for a few seconds. Do I have to live with this or is there a way to override the Auto sensing taking control so that I can  manually  switch the light off/on when driving the car  like old fashion cars?

[trebor1652]

I never found a way to override the system. You either get used to it or just turn on the sidelights which cancels the auto headlights.

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[degzi]

I never see a problem with it myself, it's much easier to tell that a car is moving with lights on and it's easier to judge how fast it's going.
Especially when it's not fully dark or if it's dull out.

[ColinB]

You have to live with this, the car will turn the lights on when it thinks they are necessary. This may include tunnels and deep shade under trees. You get used to it, it's not really a problem.
There are also occasions when you need to turn the lights on manually, such as in mist or fog when the ambient light level isn't low enough to trigger the sensor.
Another thing to be aware of is that the car will turn the lights on when the wipers are in use. Not immediately, I think it happens when the wipers sweep more than a few times in a specific period.

[Sean Regan]

I agree.
My 23reg Crosstar sometimes turns the lights on first thing in the morning, when I don't think it necessary. (the sidelights come on as soon as I start the car). The headlights also come on when I'm half-way under a local motorway bridge and don't turn off until I'm well out of the other side. But you get used to it. "It knows what it's doing."

[dvhttn]

.....  But you get used to it. "It knows what it's doing."  ....

Like ***k it does! I reckon it is about 60/70% accurate (compared to how/when I'd turn on/dip lights. Fooled by so many things (like reflectors on the side of the road - thinks they are the rear lights of a car so dips the lights).

[Sean Regan]

Hmmm.

But it makes fewer mistakes than humans.

[TnTkr]

.....  But you get used to it. "It knows what it's doing."  ....

Like ***k it does! I reckon it is about 60/70% accurate (compared to how/when I'd turn on/dip lights. Fooled by so many things (like reflectors on the side of the road - thinks they are the rear lights of a car so dips the lights).

Automatic high/dipped beam witching can be disabled by the dealer, as stated in the manual. I've got it done after couple of months of use. So annoying it was.

[Lord Voltermore]

I have a mk4 so things may be dfferent. But I am quite happy fo the headlights to come on, or go off  whenever the light sensor considers it necessary. Humans are quite good at adjusting their eyes  to compensate for changing light levels. Some may be less good than others.   The surprising extent that cameras need to adjust for exposure is quite enlightening (excuse pun)  . We dont always realise  just how much less light there actually is because our body automatically compensates to some extent, but maybe less well for some.  Cars can be noticeably less conspicuous in some lighting conditions and worse still for some car colours. 

The days are gone when you were flashed by others  because they think you have left your lights on. So why worry?.  There are anecdotes of people being confronted by a angry driver in front demanding to know why you keep flashing your lights at him    But is it common these days? 

I am less enamoured with auto high beam/low beam  . Its a useful back up but I dont think you should rely on it entirely .  Its still important that the driver  remains aware of the affect of  their high beams on other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, drivers waiting to join from a side road etc, who may not trigger an auto dip.

[n.jazz]

Thanks to all those who replied. My car usage, like a good proportion of Jazz drivers  is generally lower mileage shorter trips and therefore I am more concerned about battery drain caused by the Auto lights feature, as its extra drain on the battery that i can do without. Am I right to think like this or are the lights on the 3rd generation Jazz of the  low energy type? Furthermore, lights coming on/ turning off with ambient light  mean they will need replacing more frequently than under manual control with less frequent switching and generally less ON time

[NathanC67]

.....  But you get used to it. "It knows what it's doing."  ....

Like ***k it does! I reckon it is about 60/70% accurate (compared to how/when I'd turn on/dip lights. Fooled by so many things (like reflectors on the side of the road - thinks they are the rear lights of a car so dips the lights).

Automatic high/dipped beam witching can be disabled by the dealer, as stated in the manual. I've got it done after couple of months of use. So annoying it was.

On my MK3 I'm sure the automatic dipped beam is a menu item in the settings as I recall turning it on. It's alongside how many seconds do you want the headlights on when you leave the car from memory (mines set to zero).

[ColinB]

... I am more concerned about battery drain caused by the Auto lights feature, as its extra drain on the battery that i can do without.

Well, when the lights are on the engine is running, so battery drain from the lights isn't a problem. If the stop/start system has stopped the engine, then Honda's software is so conservative it'll restart the engine long before battery drain becomes a problem.

Furthermore, lights coming on/ turning off with ambient light  mean they will need replacing more frequently than under manual control with less frequent switching and generally less ON time

My car's just coming up to 10 years old and I've not had to replace any lighting units. The battery was replaced at 9.5 years which is beyond what most experts suggest is the normal lifespan of a battery.