Auto lights

[guest3042]

I have recently bought a 2011 Jazz Hybrid which I am pleased with so far, but can someone tell me why, when faced with very bright sun, the lights come on when set on automatic?
I thought they were only supposed to come in in fading light. Should I be consulting my local dealer?
Thanks in anticipation.

[culzean]

I know auto lights don't always do what they are supposed to - I haven't got them on my Jazz ( I am of the opinion that if you don't know when to turn lights or screen-wipers on then you shouldn't be in control of a vehicle anyway).

However I do have a friend who has a Civic (2006) and it suffered from the battery continually going flat (took about 3 days from full charge to the dreaded 'click' when he turned the key to start it).  After a bit of investigation he stopped leaving the lights set to 'auto' (which is the whole point, otherwise they are manual lights - so what did you pay for?) and he hasn't had any problems with flat battery since - even after leaving the car at airport for 3 weeks it started first time.  It wasn't the fact that the lights were coming on when they shouldn't, it was just something in the auto lights circuitry that was draining the battery (some car alarms will do this as well).

I would definitely ask your dealer about this one.

[Geoffers]

I've not had a problem with mine. We leave the lights on automatic all the time.
The lights do come on in some light conditions that leaves us wondering though. I think that the sensor is affected by sudden big changes (like sunlight cut off suddenly by a building) and that triggers the lights.
In your case, in bright sunlight, maybe you should do as suggested and visit your local dealership. Maybe the dealer can make an adjustment to the sensitvity!

[Ozzie]

I agree with Geoffers, I think its the contrast between very bright sunlight and shadows, likewise daylight and tunnels. I finf the auto lights a bit annoying as they seem to some on about 2 hours before everyone else except the Volvo owners 

[guest2867]

we have auto lights on our Jazz and they work so much better than on our last car a VW.
we park in the garage so the lights come on when you start up but go out very soon after exiting.
I think auto lights are better when your on a long journey because they just sort themselves out if you go though some bad weather etc.

[guest3042]

Thanks for all your responses. I have seen other cars with their lights on in bright sun, so perhaps this problem is not uncommon.
I am sure it is something I can live with.

[VicW]

A friend had a near accident because of his auto head lights.
He was approaching a junction on his left where there was a car waiting to pull out.
As he got a few yards from the junction the waiting car pulled out and the driver waved.
The auto system had chosen that moment to turn the head lights on and the other driver thought he had been flashed to pull out.
A collision was narrowly avoided and my friend no longer has his headlights selected to 'Auto'.

Vic.

[nowster]

The auto system had chosen that moment to turn the head lights on and the other driver thought he had been flashed to pull out.

According to the Highway Code, the only meaning to the sounding of the horn or flashing of lights is, "I am here."

[culzean]

The auto system had chosen that moment to turn the head lights on and the other driver thought he had been flashed to pull out.

According to the Highway Code, the only meaning to the sounding of the horn or flashing of lights is, "I am here."

Never mind what the highway code says, it is accepted practice in Britain (and many other countries) that flashing of headlights means you are letting some-one pull out.  Confucious he say, do not build a path and expect people to follow it, watch where they walk and build the path there ! (very clever man confucious).

[nowster]

Never mind what the highway code says, it is accepted practice in Britain (and many other countries) that flashing of headlights means you are letting some-one pull out.

That doesn't absolve the driver observing that signal of the responsibility to judge for themselves whether or not it is safe to pull out. Similarly, if an approaching driver has forgotten to cancel their indicators.

[Geoffers]

Some say that the highway code does not reflect custom & practise! 

[guest2981]

Hi there,

Got my Hybrid last December, but as I live in France I had to wait a while for a manual in English, just makes it easier.  The lights on mine seem to work well on auto, but the book advises that you don't rely on the auto facility (page 145 in my book).  It also recommends not leaving the lights in auto if the vehicle in not in use for long periods.