[BigKutta]

The only thing Automatic about my Automatic headlights is that they turn on automatically, but don't turn off.

On our Mercedes, we have left the light (and wipers) in auto and never worry about it and it works perfectly.

Just sayin'...

[vdubturbo]

There's another thread in here if you search regarding the behavior of the lights. Mine do shut off. It's just the sensor/algorithm is not what you'd expect in terms of lighting control. The lights tend to come on/stay on in conditions you'd normally expect not to need them. I think it's one of those over-engineered German things

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by vdubturbo

There's another thread in here if you search regarding the behavior of the lights. Mine do shut off. It's just the sensor/algorithm is not what you'd expect in terms of lighting control. The lights tend to come on/stay on in conditions you'd normally expect not to need them. I think it's one of those over-engineered German things

Mine come on in the garage (to be expected) when I start up in the morning, and stay on for the entire 40 minute commute on the highway in bright sunlight. I am not sure if that's over engineered or just plain broken.

[vdubturbo]

Totally with ya though. I've had mine stay on in bright sunlight, and then turn off when it became overcast.

A non-enthusiast friend of mine pointed out that when going through a tunnel, the lights turn on (then off) but the nav assumes it's night time (turns the perspective sky to night) even though it knows where you are and what time it is. I guess not everything is over engineered. But then again, she's also the same person that "shifts" her Infiniti automatic and forgets she has gears 5 and 6.

[E90Fleet]

A few things can confuse the sensors

The sensor looks at Infra red light, not visible light.

1) Sun low on the horizon. Even with blue skies the lights may turn on.

2) Some water repellent coatings out on the windscreen. Dont put them over the sensors.

3) Dirt over the sensors. Keep the area clean.

Same things affect Mercedes sensors.

Havent checked for it on the F10 yet, but on some older models dealers could set the sensitivity to a more sensitive position for areas of the world where the sensors get confused.

[Fantasm]

Mine are fine!

[Vinfast]

My sales rep told me that the sensors are in the headlights themselves, which would make sense why they would stay on during different lighting --- say driving in bright daylight away from the sun in the morning. I've never really looked to see where the sensors are myself.

[Needsdecaf]

They totally suck, to be honest.

The other day, they were on at Noon, in bright sun. Next day off, in fog.

Sigh.

[AC_S5]

Not a big fan of this feature, always turn it on manually myself. I don't like the darn thing to be on/off/on/off while I drive, the same goes to auto start/stop/start/stop. Just drives me nuts. I mean how hard is it to turn the thing on yourself that you need an automated feature for your headlights, wipers automated is good but headlights is not something you should turn on and off. Most tunnel are lit anyways

[eskdale]

Made a special effort to watch mine this morning. Seem to work fine they did turn off although they didn't turn off immediately the sun came out but once it had been bright for several minutes even though the sun had gone in they did turn off. Very similar to my Ford Galaxy's auto headlights. I guess they take into account not only the light level but whether the wipers are being used and factors such as speed.

[BigKutta]

I have no issue controlling manually, the problem is that the adaptive lights don't work (i.e., swivel and turn) when you turn on manually, but only when in auto mode. Who came up with that??

So I have to manually turn it to automatic at night so I can navigate effectively through my back twisty roads. That just seems funny.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Vinfast

My sales rep told me that the sensors are in the headlights themselves, which would make sense why they would stay on during different lighting --- say driving in bright daylight away from the sun in the morning. I've never really looked to see where the sensors are myself.

Your sales rep needs more training

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I have no issue controlling manually, the problem is that the adaptive lights don't work (i.e., swivel and turn) when you turn on manually, but only when in auto mode. Who came up with that??

So I have to manually turn it to automatic at night so I can navigate effectively through my back twisty roads. That just seems funny.

Where did you hear this?

[BigKutta]

Its in my manual, page 91, bottom left. Also tested in real life.

[AC_S5]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I have no issue controlling manually, the problem is that the adaptive lights don't work (i.e., swivel and turn) when you turn on manually, but only when in auto mode. Who came up with that??

So I have to manually turn it to automatic at night so I can navigate effectively through my back twisty roads. That just seems funny.

Well I don't have that feature so couldn't comment, but it's quite funny though the way they design that so the feature doesn't work if you turn on lights manually.

So it doesn't work even if you manually put it to auto mode during your drive? Or it need to be in auto mode at start up?

[Seattle135is]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Its in my manual, page 91, bottom left. Also tested in real life.

+1

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by AC_S5

Well I don't have that feature so couldn't comment, but it's quite funny though the way they design that so the feature doesn't work if you turn on lights manually.

So it doesn't work even if you manually put it to auto mode during your drive? Or it need to be in auto mode at start up?

Any time you put it in auto, it works. doesn't have to be at start up.

[AC_S5]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Any time you put it in auto, it works. doesn't have to be at start up.

Well just manually put it into auto mode sounds confusing hope you understand.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by AC_S5

Well just manually put it into auto mode sounds confusing hope you understand.

Thats what I said in my post, somewhere in the middle of my thread

[AC_S5]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Thats what I said in my post, somewhere in the middle of my thread

Right, just saw that.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Your sales rep needs more training

So true, and once again, so amazing.

[lindros2]

Much discussed last winter. I started a thread which got pretty long; only a few pundits disagreed.