What are auto headlamps for?

[gls5000]

I know it sounds obvious, but the handbook effectively says 'don't use them'.

"If the light switch is set to auto the headlamps could automatically switch off as a consequence of intense light ... Set the light switch to [dipped beam symbol]. You will otherwise endanger yourself and others."

It then follows with the rather vague comment "The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid". An aid for what?

So far I haven't moved the switch from Auto and they've never switched themselves off in the dark. If we're not supposed to use them when they're needed, then what exactly are they for? You can't switch from Auto to Constant either, because the lights temporarily switch off (quite scary in the pitch dark as I found out!).

What do others use them for? Or do you just leave them on?

 

[mioba]

I know it sounds obvious, but the handbook effectively says 'don't use them'.

"If the light switch is set to auto the headlamps could automatically switch off as a consequence of intense light ... Set the light switch to [dipped beam symbol]. You will otherwise endanger yourself and others."

It then follows with the rather vague comment "The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid". An aid for what?

So far I haven't moved the switch from Auto and they've never switched themselves off in the dark. If we're not supposed to use them when they're needed, then what exactly are they for? You can't switch from Auto to Constant either, because the lights temporarily switch off (quite scary in the pitch dark as I found out!).

What do others use them for? Or do you just leave them on?

i always leave mine on auto, however i think it says its an aid as a disclaimer as for example they wont turn on in the fog, or you may not be aware if the light sensor is faulty and may overly rely on them

 

[television]

If you want to use auto headlights you have to turn them on in the consumer menu, or in other words activate that feature.

Malcolm

 

[stats007]

They would be handy in Spain - where you have to turn headlights on through tunnels.

 

[Casanunder]

You can't switch from Auto to Constant either, because the lights temporarily switch off (quite scary in the pitch dark as I found out!).

I tried this on the way home tonight (on a well lit street, obviously). I turned from Auto, through Side-Lights to Dipped, and the dipped lights didn't turn-off. I think there must be a delay-off on the setting selected by the Auto position - probably model-dependant, of course.

Interesting, if scary, disclaimer though!

Personally, I just leave mine on auto. The only time I think it's failed to turn on is in spray. I don't know how the system works exactly, but there must be more to it than just a light-sensor behind the rear-view mirror, as the lights come on even in low (but bright) sun-light. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[television]

This was all discussed two weeks ago, I believe it was an Sclass thread


Malcolm

 

[turnipsock]

If the light switch is set to auto the headlamps could automatically switch off as a consequence of intense light ...

Like a speed camera...what fun.

 

[BIGjoe]

I tried this on the way home tonight (on a well lit street, obviously). I turned from Auto, through Side-Lights to Dipped, and the dipped lights didn't turn-off. I think there must be a delay-off on the setting selected by the Auto position - probably model-dependant, of course.

Interesting, if scary, disclaimer though!

Personally, I just leave mine on auto. The only time I think it's failed to turn on is in spray. I don't know how the system works exactly, but there must be more to it than just a light-sensor behind the rear-view mirror, as the lights come on even in low (but bright) sun-light. Anyone got any ideas?

I leave mine on auto full time, they also come on if the wipers are on for more than a few seconds in constant rain, and also if the sun is low and behind the car. One thing I keep forgetting, because we live out in the sticks with no street lighting, and we tend to finish journeys on full beam, and the next time the lights turn on automatically in daylight, they're still on full beam :Oops: :Oops: .

 

[gls5000]

So I'm not the only one taking risks then! Perhaps it is mainly there just as a disclaimer, as has been mentioned here. At least now I don't feel so guilty. Thanks for the info.

 

[mercdriver]

I regularly use the Mersey tunnel and notice all the so-called better marques (mercedes, audi, lexus, bmw etc) have full headlights on whilst inside the tunnel itself i.e. all the cars with auto-lights. I think most people who have auto-lights leave them switched to auto.

Mark

 

[maldon]

Mine are on auto all the time.

Like that they will switch on with a low sun behind. Probably of more use on a dark coloured SL/K which has a little less presence than a silver ML

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I leave mine on Auto all the time too. Never had any trouble. I tend not to leave the windscreen wiper on auto all the time though because it goes off when you first start the car and that's anoying when you have a completely dry screen - it usually ends up as a completely dry screen with a ****** great big smear across the middle

When it is raining on and off I find the auto wipers quite useful but I would much rather have a manually adjustable delayed wiper option so I could set the speed myself.

I don't know how I ever lived without cruise control though......

 

[nialler]

Set the lights on the computer to Constant, and 10 sec delay upon exit of the car (I don't have a driveway like some of you posh people, terraced housing for me), get many flashes from the anti-daylight-lowbeam crowd.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

as an ex-biker, I always drove with my headlights on. At least if people flash you it means they have seen you. I also used to own a Volvo S40 so I had no choice but to leave the lights on. Always turned them on in the Audi too. I rely on the Merc to choose now (although I have over-ruled it on occasion).

Mind you, if there are any bikers reading this...dipped beam please! Full beam on a modern bike is very bright and is actually more of a hazard than saftey feature. It becomes difficult for me to see you when I am having to squint and hold my hand infront of my eyes.

 

[M6AJJ]

I might as well join in.

I leave the lights on Auto and have never had a problem, really usefull and practical.

The wipers are a different matter because on auto they give a quick wipe every time you start up, so I tend to turn them to Auto when it starts to rain. Then they are really efficient, only in the heaviest rain have I had to turn them on fast manually.

Headlight delay in turning off is a nice feature, more nice than practical. (I still wait to make sure it turns off). Mind you on the Dublin ferry at least six people came running after me to tell me I had left the lights on, difficult to explain and you do appear to be a bit of "smart arse" when you try.

 

[television]

. Mind you on the Dublin ferry at least six people came running after me to tell me I had left the lights on, difficult to explain and you do appear to be a bit of "smart arse" when you try.

I had the same thing on the night I drove my car home for the first time, when stopped at the motorway services the lights stayed on while I locked the car, iwalked back and tried again, then another MB owner told me that I had this feature and just wait 30 sec, I too felt a "smart arse" when I stopped again and people commented.

Malcolm

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I live in a little Sussex village with no street lights and my car is parked on the drive. The external lights coming on when I unlock the car in the morning is an absolute godsend at this time of year.

 

[jberks]

They aren't foolproof but mine are on auto 99% of the time. Good for tunnels, rain etc but they do still require the driver to have a brain and decide whether they agree with what the sensor has decided. I do override mine some of the time. That's the problem I guess. In the fog last week over 50% of the cars I passed had the incorrect lighting on. Personally I think it would be perfectly acceptable for the Police to take over a car park the next time it's foggy, direct all drivers with anything less than dipped headlights into it, take their keys off them and tell them to come back next summer! These are the same donors who have their rear foglights on in driving rain!

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

we still have round my way people that haven't worked out how to turn their fog lights off after the fog last week. Odd how they can turn them on but not off. It's also amazing that now it's dark in the evening there are a considerable number of people who drive with their front fogs on because one of their headlights has blown. I know going into halfords can be an unpleasent experience (even for us commoners) but they do sell bulbs if you need them.....

 

[thespirit3]

"considerable number of people who drive with their front fogs on because one of their headlights has blown"

Perhaps the sort of person who uses fog lights for regular night driving, is also the sort of person who doesn't care if a headlamp blows. I think 'using fogs due to a blown headlamp' infers some sort of thought process having ocurred in their brains - which I think is attributing them with far too much 'intelligence' (for want of a better word).