Using Auto Lights

[jadefox]

Just a quick one....how many of you use the Auto lights more or less 100% of the time? I got told by someone that they were not safe to use all the time because if a car with bright lights comes the other way they can turn off (??!) is this true?

 

[MBManInKen]

I use them all the time, never had any problems with them. They've never switched themselves off. I like them .

 

[rf065]

My opinion is...............rubbish.
Would Mercedes fit a system with such a flaw?

Russ

 

[robert.saunders]

I got told by someone that they were not safe to use all the time because if a car with bright lights comes the other way they can turn off (??!) is this true?

Not heard that before but some people don't use AUTO as the lights may come on when not convenient, ie other drivers may see it as a "flash" and pull out on you etc... Also, not to be trusted in daytime fog...

But generally, I leave mine in AUTO all the time

 

[GeorgeA]

Just a quick one....how many of you use the Auto lights more or less 100% of the time? I got told by someone that they were not safe to use all the time because if a car with bright lights comes the other way they can turn off (??!) is this true?

No its not true!!!! Sure this 'someone' was not pulling your leg

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Mine are on Auto all the time. Only come on once when I'd have preferred them not to have. Never gone off when I'd have preferred them not to have.

 

[MBManInKen]

Robert is right that often in fog you have to turn them on manually - light and visibility are obviously two different things. Also, on mine at least, you can't pull the switch to turn the fogs on when in auto position.

As for suddenly coming on, the implementation is quite smart in that it doesn't suddenly turn on and off just because a shadow goes over the sensor and they don't turn off just because a bright light briefly hits the sensor. In all, I haven't been able to find fault with it.

 

[robert.saunders]

I note on the Mondeo when the AUTO lights switch off, they go to sidelight initially for a minute or so, and then fully off. If I recall correctly, my W203 went straight off - not sure what the benefit is of either but thought I'd mention it anyway

 

[jadefox]

No its not true!!!! Sure this 'someone' was not pulling your leg

LOL it was the dealer who sold me the car! He said it said somewhere in the manual about it....

I thought at the time it was nonsense, but always one to be careful I did think I'd ask - thanks for your replies guys! :bannana:

 

[MBManInKen]

It's probably just a short circuit somewhere, rather than design .

Do your wipers come on when you switch the radio on?

 

[jadefox]

LOL funny you should mention that....is that not meant to happen??

 

[robert.saunders]

It's probably just a short circuit somewhere, rather than design .

Do your wipers come on when you switch the radio on?

The auto-wipers come on when the screen is wet, thank you very much. It's not that antiquated y'know. And I did fix the clock by thumping it

 

[MBManInKen]

LHe said it said somewhere in the manual about it....

Have just checked my manual and it does not say anything at all about switching off when accidentally hit by a bright light. Does warn about the fog issue.

The system evaluates the level of ambient lighting, which suggests very much that a point of light or darkness should not influence it.

 

[jadefox]

D'a know, that was the only thing I was dissapointed in with my car, no auto wipers - what's up with that in a car on a 54 plate??!

 

[MBManInKen]

The auto-wipers come on when the screen is wet, thank you very much. It's not that antiquated y'know.

Well, it is a Ford .

And I did fix the clock by thumping it

Yes, I read that - you do worry me sometimes .

 

[television]

LOL it was the dealer who sold me the car!



I cant think what I am saying too, when talking to a lovely female

 

[jadefox]

Have just checked my manual and it does not say anything at all about switching off when accidentally hit by a bright light. Does warn about the fog issue.

The system evaluates the level of ambient lighting, which suggests very much that a point of light or darkness should not influence it.

Thank you for that, I appreciate you looking it up - that bloke must just have misunderstood what he read.

 

[jaymanek]

the lights work on an ambient light sensor, they are also delayed so only come on after several seconds of ambient "darkness" so that they dont flash when going through short tunnels etc... very clever system IMO...

 

[Rory]

D'a know, that was the only thing I was dissapointed in with my car, no auto wipers - what's up with that in a car on a 54 plate??!

Mine doesn't have them either (first car I've had for may years without them) but it's even worse that the intermittant is fixed!

 

[Rory]

the lights work on an ambient light sensor, they are also delayed so only come on after several seconds of ambient "darkness" so that they dont flash when going through short tunnels etc... very clever system IMO...

I don't use mine specifically because to get to my wife's office I drive under a hotel which is spans a road - it takes literally 2-3 seconds but the lights always come on. Just beyond the hotel is the exit from their car park and people see the lights come on and pull out - it's not a random thing, the lights always come and, if there's someone there, they pull out.

I've seen it written that it's even worse with Xenons as they come on with a flash as the arc strikes.