Automatic headlights: design flaw discovered in an unpleasant fashion

[Somerset Max]

+1

I lived and drove for many decades without automatic headlights, and somehow I don't see this feature as being a necessity--no matter how well it might function.

As just one example of my feelings, on a recent overcast day the headlights were not actived when in the automatic setting. Similarly, on a rainy day, it has almost always been necessary for me to manually activate the headlights in order to be in compliance with the "Wipers on--headlights on" regulation.

As a result of these situations, I have decided that--for me at least--automatic headlights are more trouble than they are worth.
If this feature had not been included as standard equipment, I would certainly not have missed it.

[fatabbot]

Auto lamps are a nicety, not a necessity (unless you're just forgetful....like all of the people in the OB commercials). I leave the lights in the "on" position in my current car. They come on every time my key turns on and off every time I remove the key. If they stayed on after the key was off, I would be ok with manually operating the headlamps.

[unique]

Is is possible to put electrical tape over the sensor (or to disconnect it)? Thereby changing how the automatic system works? In my Honda Accord, I leave the headlights in "Auto", but they work differently than the Subaru's. In the Accord, they come on when the remote is pressed to unlock the doors and stay on as long as you're driving. Conversely, they go off about 30 seconds after the remote is pressed to lock the doors. If I ever need to turn off the headlights, I turn the switch off. Of course, there is a safety measure built in. If, for example, you press the remote to unlock the doors and you don't drive away, the system will shut off the headlights after a few moments.

Seems to me that the Subaru system could be set up similarly by bypassing the sensor.

[Somerset Max]

What many people seem to be ignoring, or perhaps unaware of, is the reality of how Subaru's headlights function when the switch is simply left in the "on" position:

Start the engine, and the headlights go on.
Turn the ignition off, and the headlights go off.
Use the switch while driving to turn the headlights off if desired.

Since this is my third OB, I am well aware of this somewhat unique feature--but I wonder if all of the complainers are aware of it.
Why every automaker doesn't simply wire their headlights through the ignition switch is a mystery to me.

[justlen]

Originally Posted by problemchild200

I am going to mention the drinking and driving part since no one else has. NEVER drink and drive. If you are worried about getting caught and blaming the headlights for that you are in denial. If you hit a kid in the street its an automatic field test. If you are impaired you are screwed. Wine gets you "impaired" real quick. One half the legal limit still gets you sued in an accident.

Its very simple if your driving home DONT DRINK!

It's a bit off-topic but I don't understand why this is such a difficult concept for some people to understand. Don't get me wrong, I'm no high-horse teetotaler, I'm a Navy vet that can pound Scotch with the best of them. And often do.

That being said I simply don't get behind the wheel if I've had even a single beer. I'm fully aware that I am steering a ton of mass, essentially a bullet. When we go out to dinner or to parties and I turn down a cocktail I usually get the stinkeye like I am either trying to take the moral high ground or am a recovering alcoholic.

"No thanks, precious cargo tonight" usually shuts them up.

[perrochon]

Of course it can be done manually, but it's two manual operations: the light, and the nav system.

All it takes is a delay when turning the lights from daylight running lights to night lights (which are a lot brighter) and turning the nav system to night (which is a lot less bright).

My "work-around" is to have the night-headlights on all the time, and manually operate the nav. But this renders the daylight running lights pointless.

A working auto day/night switch is a solved problem. This feature works in the Toyota Sienna.