Auto lights and HIDs/Xenons
Discussion
kambites said:
I've never seen automatic headlights come on as someone drives under a bridge. Are you sure they do?
Assuming it's a bigger bridge and it's more than a tiny brief flicker of darkness then yeah I've seen it happen. Mine do if I drove under a motorway bridge or something. 
Convenience. My car has auto lights, wipers, gearbox, climate control, sat nav that automatically reroutes, I pretty much just stop go and steer.
I often have to drive 7 hours in a day and it all just makes life easier.
Also, someone who shouldn't drive because they can't work the lights will anyway. Wouldn't you rather their car turned the lights on for them?
I often have to drive 7 hours in a day and it all just makes life easier.
Also, someone who shouldn't drive because they can't work the lights will anyway. Wouldn't you rather their car turned the lights on for them?
Jasandjules said:
I don't personally understand the logic of "automatic" lights. Frankly if you as a driver can't work out when the lights might need to be on, you shouldn't be behind the wheel IMHO.
Unfortunately, there is a significant proportion who don't seem to have grasped this principle.Jasandjules said:
I don't personally understand the logic of "automatic" lights. Frankly if you as a driver can't work out when the lights might need to be on, you shouldn't be behind the wheel IMHO.
I was in exactly the same boat as you until we bought a 2005 MK2 Focus for my mrs with automatic Xenon headlights. Now I think they're great. For what it's worth, whenever I think it's time to put the headlights on as it's getting gloomy I check and the car's already switched them on for me. Ours doesn't have automatic wipers though so I still put the lights on in rain when visibility's reduced, the car can't make that decision for me.I just see Auto lights as 'tunnel' lights rather than for night time driving....
In other words its a convenience for them to illuminate in tunnels (or long under passes, even sometimes country roads obscured by very dense trees) rather than having to switch them on and off manually.
Most if not all Auto lights, wont illuminate in fog, some even in rain.
I think its more the way they are named than how they operate TBH, people need to be aware that they wont switch on at every time they should be on and some user input is needed on some instances.
In other words its a convenience for them to illuminate in tunnels (or long under passes, even sometimes country roads obscured by very dense trees) rather than having to switch them on and off manually.
Most if not all Auto lights, wont illuminate in fog, some even in rain.
I think its more the way they are named than how they operate TBH, people need to be aware that they wont switch on at every time they should be on and some user input is needed on some instances.
Monty Python said:
Jasandjules said:
I don't personally understand the logic of "automatic" lights. Frankly if you as a driver can't work out when the lights might need to be on, you shouldn't be behind the wheel IMHO.
Unfortunately, there is a significant proportion who don't seem to have grasped this principle.I could blame the permanently illuminated dashboard in the car and the very bright street lamps, but it was my own fault and ineptitude. However, auto lights would have been a good safety net.
Monty Python said:
Jasandjules said:
I don't personally understand the logic of "automatic" lights. Frankly if you as a driver can't work out when the lights might need to be on, you shouldn't be behind the wheel IMHO.
Unfortunately, there is a significant proportion who don't seem to have grasped this principle.kambites said:
The problem is, they only turn on in the dark and the dark isn't the only time you need to use lights. I'd be willing to bet that drivers with automatic lights are on average less likely to have their lights on in fog than those without.
Mine certainly don't wait until its dark to come on. Even when it's overcast it'll turn the dipped headlights on.Jasandjules said:
I don't personally understand the logic of "automatic" lights. Frankly if you as a driver can't work out when the lights might need to be on, you shouldn't be behind the wheel IMHO.
If you think they were intended for drivers who cannot decide when they should be on then you have missed the point of them completely 
Auto headlights and auto high beam lights, much like auto-dimming rear-view mirrors and wing-mirrors, auto windscreen wipers and headlight washers etc are meant as a convenience- the driver still has the responsibility to decide if they have turned on or off appropriate to the conditions. Turning these systems on to auto is an option in itself and once on, can be convenient - I accept some folks like to flick a switch but others like that these things happen automatically too and then decide if they are happy to leave them on. Or off.
I have all those I've mentioned automated and sometimes I override them if I want to be more precise about how they operate but equally, sometimes I'm happy to let them be and appreciate the convenience since, as an overall automated package, like Adaptive Cruise Control on long journey's, can make driving less of a chore when I'm not out driving just for fun.
All these automated options are not intended to replace Driver due diligence but to add convenience to otherwise manual 'chores' that the responsible driver can use.
Similarly, some other features like Blind Spot Monitoring aren't intended to allow a Driver to no longer check for vehicles coming up behind and alongside but to act as an additional alert aid during the normal function of diligent checking.
Edited by Coolbanana on Saturday 4th October 12:38
Jasandjules said:
I don't personally understand the logic of "automatic" lights. Frankly if you as a driver can't work out when the lights might need to be on, you shouldn't be behind the wheel IMHO.
I don't personally understand the logic of "washing machines". Frankly if as a human being you can't work out how to clean your own clothes then maybe you should just walk around with dirty clothes.I think people use automatic lights because they make life easier, rather than them not being capable of judging outside illumination.
Howard- said:
I'm wary of leaving my headlights set to 'automatic' mode because I'm worried that the constant on/off of the xenons (as I drive under bridges and such) will significantly shorten the lifespan of the bulbs and/or the ballasts.
Am I correct?
Thanks
To get past the bAm I correct?
Thanks
hin' about auto or not and back to your question, if you have true HID, there is no filament in the bulb. It works by a high voltage arc between two fingers. As such, I think there is no risk of shortening the lifespan, as this is filament related. My car has auto wipers and headlights as standard but Ive turned them to manual simply because I like to turn them on/off myself. I appreciate it can be useful for some people but its not for me. To the OP, if you are worried about shortening the life of the xenon bulbs then why dont you just disable the auto lights?
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