and how long will it take to make car makers make car headlights come on when it's a tad dark out??

[a kennedy]

I think if they can have cameras all around the car and possible drivers WITHOUT real drivers, they can at least make the headlights come on when it’s say, a tad foggy or dark??? I can’t believe how many people won’t have their lights on when it’s getting dark or even when it’s really dark out. Ya think they would know how to do that. 😡 😡 😡

[StarfishSaver]

1. My headlights come on automatically at night

Isn't that already a standard feature on most cars?

Or am I missing something in your OP?

[Sinistrous]

6. My headlights do also.

It doesn’t even have to be pitch dark.

[a kennedy]

8. Headlights really come on?? All cars have the "running" lights on, BUT I'M TALKING THE HEADLIGHTS,

and when ya turn on the headlights the taillights come on as well.

[LeftInTX]

70. My headlights are automatic. Automatically turn on when it's dark, just like street lights.

I have a 2013 Subaru. I leave my headlights on 24/7. They turn off automatically when my key is removed from the ignition.
Don't have to worry draining the battery due to leaving headlights on.

[a kennedy]

11. No....you're not missing what I'm saying....ALL CARS HAVE RUNNING LIGHTS ON.......I'M

just asking that the headlights, AND the taillights come on during “getting dark, or weather dark” environments.

[StarfishSaver]

14. What's the difference between running lights and headlights?

Because I keep my lights set to automatic and never turn them on and off. The headlights aren't on during the day but come on at night.

Obviously, I don't know anything about cars...

[a kennedy]

24. Running lights are on ALL the time when the car is running......HEADLIGHTS are only on when

ya turn them on…..AND I WANT THE CAR MANUFACTURERS TO MAKE IT SO THE DAMN HEADLIGHTS COME ON WHEN IT’S GETTING DARK, AND WHEN IT DARK WEATHER OUT.

[StarfishSaver]

26. My headlights are automatic

They come on when it starts to get dark. They are not on during the day.

Several people have told you that cars already have this feature. I don't understand why you're so upset about it.

[rsdsharp]

46. Mine too. And the windshield wipers come on when it rains.

Cruise control is adaptive. God help me if the computers go out on this car.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

49. My fear as well lol

So many computers in mine too.

[ProfessorGAC]

62. My Control Chip Went Bad

2009 Chrysler convertible with 172,000 miles.
All sorts of weird stuff started happening, that seemed disconnected to each other.
But, every single one of them had one thing in common. It would happen if the control module was failing.
They were talking 3 grand to replace the module. For a nearly 13 year old car with a sixth of a million miles on it. Three grand!
No way!
I donated it to charity as a still running car and hunted down a gem of a pre-owned ragtop. Since I needed to spend 3 grand anyway, & I get 22% of $6k for the donated car, I spent 6 grand more for a used, single owner ragtop with only 30k miles on it.
Those computer module failures are a bummer.

[rsdsharp]

68. Bummer, indeed. Mine is 4 months old with about 750 miles.

With any luck, I’m a ways away from these problems.

[ProfessorGAC]

91. Probably So

This is the first time our cars suffered this, and I only know one other person this happened to.
I'm guessing it's pretty rare.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

15. It's been around for decades now

Some GM and Chrysler vehicles had back in the 60's. It didn't get widespread till the late 90's/early 2000's though.

[StarfishSaver]

18. I found this - I'm sure this is what my car has

WHAT ARE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS?

Automatic headlights are like any other headlights you’ll get at the front of the car except that when the car is on and it is dark, they will activate automatically without the driver needing to press a manual switch.

They will stay off when conditions are clear and at daytime, but if it is later in the day or the car enters somewhere dark like a tunnel, for instance, then the automatic headlights can activate and deactivate accordingly.

Cars with automatic headlights can be turned on or off manually by the driver with the car’s controls if they choose. But if the driver selects the headlights to run as automatic like default (this setting is usually marked as ‘auto’), then they should be quick and smart enough to take care of this job for the driver.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.carkeys.co.uk/amp/guides/what-are-automatic-headlights

[CrackityJones75]

36. The last several cars I have had have an auto feature

[Demovictory9]

52. Mine too

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Some already do.

I drive a 2017 Honda Fit, hardly a luxury car, and the lights come on whenever it's dark enough, including a heavy enough overcast.

[TheBlackAdder]

81. While I have Daytime Running Lights and Auto-On, I manually turn on my headlights at all times.

.

Regular headlights greatly reduce the people who pull out in front of me, even over standard DRLs.

.

[LeftInTX]

86. Canada requires headlights to be on during the day

I guess this is why. My dad always liked that Canadians drove with their lights on during the day.

This was in the 70s and we lived in Wisconsin, so we would see a few. But it turns out Canada had auto headlights. I pictured the Canadians turning on their lights on and off every time then got in and out of their cars. I would drain my battery..LOL Glad that you are disciplined enough to remember to turn them off.

[Takket]

3. auto-lights have been a standard feature for years

if you see cars with their lights off either they are older cars, or manually override the auto-light

[a kennedy]

22. No....you're talking about "running" lights.....those ARE NOT HEADLIGHTS.......

running lights are not as bright as headlights……..and when the running lights are on the taillights ARE NOT ON…….

[AZSkiffyGeek]

23. My 2021 CRV has an "auto" setting

NOT running lights. They're on constantly. This turns my headlights on once it gets to a certain level of darkness.
My 2007 Fit had it as well.

[a kennedy]

28. Ok, please just check to see if your taillights are on as well then......

Most lights, that come on don’t turn on the taillights…..or I may be mistaken, just check to see if the taillights are on. And if I’m wrong…..I’m so sorry.

[brooklynite]

34. The answer, bluntly is YES!

Sorry you have been able to find one on the market, but they exist, and not just for running lights. My night driving lights come on in a tunnel or the garage.

Why do you imagine that nobody else knows what you mean and what cars have them?

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

25. No, cars have had automatic headlights for years now

The actual headlights, not the daytime running lights. The oldest vehicle I have driven that had them was a 1999. The tech has been around much longer than that, like the 1960's for some GM and Chrysler's.

[a kennedy]

30. My 2018 Honda CRV does not have this feature......I physically have to turn on my headlights!!!!

It has the running light thing on all the time ……BUT I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY TURN ON THE HEADLIGHT FEATURE WHEN I NEED THE HEADLIGHTS ON.

[StarfishSaver]

32. Maybe you should get a different car?

One that does have automatic lights?

[a kennedy]

40. Ha ha, I want a different one.....give me an electric car....wanted a Tesla, but now......

don’t want to give the Musker my money…..

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

33. It was probably an option on your car

Probably a higher level submodel or a certain package had it. I know it standard on some models and optional on others. It seems to becoming more of standard thing now.

[Igel]

37. The headlights knob on my car (and the one from 2004)

has settings.

One is "hey, driver, you're in the driver's seat--you want the headlights on, you get to turn them on."

A second is, "hey, driver, you've turned over control--when my light meter says it's dark, you've delegated authority for me to turn on the head and tail lights."

It gives you choice. Check the manual. You might have this option with just a 15 degree turn of a knob away.

[CrackityJones75]

39. Uhhh it should.

Edit: I stand corrected it wasn’t on the 2018 crv. It was standard on my 2015 pilot.

[Luciferous]

61. I have a 2019 and it has the auto headlight feature, and turning on headlights

isn't exactly a difficult task

[LeftInTX]

72. What happens if you leave the headlights on, turn off the car and remove the keys?

Automatic headlights will turn off.

[TxGuitar]

69. You must have an old car

We bought your Mustang in 2010 and I've never ever turned the headlights on manually.

[dsc]

4. there is a setting which turns mine on when it is dark

not sure about how dark it has to be.

[Iggo]

5. Done!

[dweller]

7. How about turning on lights

when the wipers are working ?

✌🏻

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

12. Mine do this.

Previous vehicles did as well.

[dweller]

16. Cool

What make?

✌🏻

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

21. Cadillac

But my wife drives a GMC and it does it as well. I think the wiper thing is relatively new, older vehicles I owned didn't do it, but still had auto headlights. I just noticed it in the last few vehicles I've owned. Well leased technically.

[whistler162]

92. Car is on, lights are on.

[liberal N proud]

9. Two of my vehicles have that feature

I had an 04 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 01 Chrysler that had that feature

[demtenjeep]

10. mine does

I don't have to worry

[TrogL]

13. For cars sold in Canada front lights are always on

[a kennedy]

17. In America, "running lights" are always on.....BUT THEY ARE NOT HEADLIGHTS, OR TAILLIGHTS.....

headlights ARE different then running lights. Sorry……..if the headlights are on, then the taillights are on as well……if only the running lights are on, then the taillights aren’t on…… ugh….

[pecosbob]

56. Winner, winner, chicken dinner

My Ford manufactured in Canada had automatic daytime headlights...not running lights or parking lights, but actual headlights.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

85. If they are true daytime running lights those lights might only a percentage of actual headlights.

DRLs don’t typically illuminate your rear running lights either.


That’s kind of the point of the OP.

But typical DU fashion, everyone is getting worked up claiming their headlights, and all their friends cars headlights, are automatic so what’s the problem?

I see people all the time driving at night with their partially illuminated daytime running lights and back-lit instrument cluster - probably completely oblivious to the fact they are running without rear lights.

Reading this thread, I wonder how many people think they have auto headlamps and are running with no rear lights at night.

I see it all the time. I just assume they are drunk (no headlights is a major indicator) but maybe they are under the impression their DRLs are actual headlights.

[LeftInTX]

73. I think Canada had this even back in the 70s

Why do Canadians drive with their headlights on during the day????? LOL


Now my question is answered. We thought the Canadians were just being Canadians. At the time, I envisioned them turning their lights on and off every time they got in and out of their vehicles. My dad liked it because it was easy to see their vehicles. He wanted to turn his lights on during the day too, but that pesky battery....

[Hassin Bin Sober]

83. The good old USA prohibited daytime running lights until the 90s

Can’t make the US car manufacturers feel uneasy.

I worked for Buick in the 90s when the Canadian made cars started showing up with DRLs.

[LeftInTX]

84. I thought Canadians turned their lights on and off every time they got in and out their cars!

We had no idea it was automatic!

We just thought Canadians were being Canadians.

[brooklynite]

19. My car (2020 VW GTI) has automatic lights.

[Captain Stern]

20. I guess the answer is , they already do. A lot. n/t

[Dave says]

27. Mine come on automatically at dusk

It’s a good feature. However, I can’t think of how many times I left the dealership after getting serviced that I’m driving around without my headlights on. They turn the lights “off” instead of the “auto” feature. But otherwise I never think about them. They’re always on when dusk, dark, and/or stormy.

[a kennedy]

29. Check your taillights.......

[Mr.Bill]

41. Even starting my car under my carport

in the middle of the day makes my headlights come on until I back out into the sunlight. (2021 Nissan)

[Jerryatric]

31. My car is a twenty year old chevy and my lights come on

automatically, just like the last two cars I had. And yes, I DO mean headlights and tail lights. I rarely have to turn them on or off, they come on when they need to.

[a kennedy]

44. and again, check your taillights if they're on great.......

[Xoan]

35. Frankly, headlights should be on ...

when the engine is running.

[a kennedy]

48. I know....headlights, not just the running lights.......

[marybourg]

38. My last three cars, all Toyotas, earliest 2000,

had the auto headlight feature. Once selected, I never had to turn the headlights - not running lights, the actual headlights - on by myself. I notice mine come on a little later than many other makes, but they do come on before dark.

[a kennedy]

45. Damn........I have got to check my manual then......😁

[LeftInTX]

75. Just turn your lights on and turn your car off and remove the keys

Do it at night and in dark place. If the lights turn off, they're automatic.

[moonscape]

51. I haven't manually turned on my headlights in years. n/t

[OhioBlue]

42. My GMC Acadia has the auto feature

and yes, the headlights and taillights both come on when it is dark. As does my husband's Dodge Ram Truck and his previous Chevy Silverado and my mom's Pontiac whatever.

We set the control to "auto" and the "running lights" are on during the day but headlights and taillights come on at night.

[Liberal In Texas]

43. My Niro has auto lights. My '03 Trailblazer did too.

I don't have to worry about turning on the headlights at dusk, the car does it automatically.

I do have to worry about turning the function back to AUTO from OFF after I get it back from the dealership for service because for some reason they always turn it to OFF and leave it there.

And I don't mean the daytime running lights. (Those can be disabled as well.) The full outside lighting array including side marker and tail lights.

[Demsrule86]

47. Headlights on cars are on all the time these days.

[tirebiter]

50. My daily driver is 40 years old

I’m planning on getting one that’s 50
years old. I like air cooled Vw’s. I can still afford a 70’s era van and I can work on it
My granddaughters amazed that she actually had to roll down the window manually.

[SharonClark]

53. I bookmarked this post and when

I returned, many replies had been removed without any indication of that. How does that happen?

[Voltaire2]

54. About -10 years?

[Dorian Gray]

55. This is the strangest thread

I've read on DU. lol

(The automatic headlight setting is a thing. I have a subaru, and I use it!)

Here is the owner's manual link to a Subaru Legacy: http://www.sulegacy.com/headlights-195.html#:~:text=Consult%20your%20SUBARU%20dealer%20for%20details.%20Automatic%20headlight,will%20automatically%20turn%20off%20when%20the%20wipers%20stop.


There is, indeed, an auto position.

[marie999]

57. I have my headlights set so they come on when I start the car.

Some people don't realize that having your headlights on is not for you to see, but for other drivers to see you.

[Patton French]

58. I think it's a relatively new in pretty much all makes and models

My headlights come on at dusk and in heavy rain.

[cinematicdiversions]

88. My eleven year old KIA has it.

It's new if you haven't bought a car since the late 1900's... but it is 2021 now.

What is next a post about a button on your Keychain that autolocks your doors?

[Patton French]

89. Lol, shows what I know...

I bought a new car this year for the first time in more that 10 years. Guess I lost touch with all features.

[cinematicdiversions]

90. Well in all fairness auto is a setting

You can work your lights manually and never try it.

[Jersey Devil]

59. Last time I turned my headlights on was about 9 years ago.

My car, a 2012 Chevy Cruze, has automatic daytime running lights and when it gets dark (also when going through a tunnel, covered roadway or even a thunderstorm) all the lights go on automatically. They also shut off automatically when the engine is turned off. I don't think I would even know how to turn them on manually.

Why this feature is not on all vehicles is a mystery to me.

[Spider Jerusalem]

60. Cadillac had automatic headlights back in the '50's (n/t)

[MineralMan]

63. My cars have that.

Headlights also come on when wipers are on.

[Scrivener7]

64. I can set my headlights to automatic. But I don't.

[LeftInTX]

76. OK...You're old school..LOL

[Scrivener7]

87. Yep! :) I went from a stripped down 15 year old honda to an almost

new Lexus a couple of years ago. (It was a really good price. Lower than a new Civic!)

I was absolutely overwhelmed by the technology. I thought it was going to start cooking gourmet meals and teaching me Spanish while I was driving.

It made so many noises, and so many lights went on and off, and so much stuff was going on with it that it stressed me no end! It was all so distracting that I thought I was going to have an accident.

So I turned all the automatic everything off, and I am turning them back on one thing at a time. Some of it is fabulous. Some is dopey and I turn it off again. Haven't gotten to turning on the automatic lights yet, but they are next, and I suspect they will be a keeper.

[Tarc]

65. This has been a standard for 5 years or so, with many models having it as long as 10

Boomers...

[Buns_of_Fire]

66. Already got that. I'm waiting for flux capacitors to become standard equipment. nt

[greenjar_01]

67. make car makers make car

[MoonlitKnight]

71. My 2004 had it

As do my newer vehicles. And no, I’m not referring to daytime running lights.

You have to have the lights set to auto. You also have to adjust the sensitivity. Default setting takes too long in my opinion. The most sensitive setting will cause them to turn on when it gets cloudy or even when going through an underpass if driving slow enough.

[herding cats]

74. Mine do. My high/low beam also automatically does it's thing, too.

Yes, I mean my headlights and not running lights, and yes, my full lights (front and rear).

My husband drove my car and manually turned them off once and it took me a good 3 minutes to figure out how to turn them back on the next day! The car came with the feature on and I'd never had to touch it before. I felt so goofy not knowing where my light switch was. Lol!

[LeftInTX]

79. My high beam does not do this.

Yes, hubby has turned off my automatic lights too.
It's kinda dangerous because I'll be driving and I'm like, "Why is everything so dark"?"

[beaglelover]

77. Almost all cars made since 2000 have this feature.

[BradAllison]

78. I have running lights that are on all the time on a suv I just bought

Unfortunately they fool me when it gets initially dark. They are not enough for night.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

80. It's amazing the people in this thread chiming in with "my car has it"

So what. Most cars do. But not all - that’s kind of the point of the OP.

Others saying auto headlamps are standard. I don’t believe that’s the case.

The reason I know is it’s a pet peeve of my boyfriend’s when he sees someone driving with no headlights.

It goes something this: “there’s another person driving with lights off. These new cars all have constantly back-lit display clusters so it’s much easier to not notice you are running with lights off. That and daytime running lights make it so easy. They should just make auto headlights mandatory.”


I just googled “are automatic headlights standard” and found an Autotrader article from 2018 complaining that automatic headlamps should be mandatory.

Also, the article discusses how the good old USA still refuses daytime running lights and actively prohibited them until the 90s. When I worked for Buick in the 90s it was the cars built in Canada that were arriving with DRLs. Iirc, the Regal had them.

Me? I just assume someone driving with lights off is drunk - it’s a major indicator for cops.

That or, like me, they just valet parked and the attendant turned off the auto feature (they all do that for some reason) and I forgot to turn it back on.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

82. Autotrader article

https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/automatic-headlights-should-be-mandatory-275131

Automatic Headlights Should Be Mandatory
ByEric Brandt 03/22/2018 8:00pm

There are very few things that I think should be mandatory when it comes to cars. However, requiring automakers to have basic safety features like seatbelts and airbags in their products is probably a good thing. Regulation like this has been moving several steps further over the years with new requirements, like a car’s ability to support itself on its roof in the event of a rollover crash, technology like tire pressure monitoring and electronic stability control and even rear view cameras are going to be mandatory soon so we can still see behind us with massive pillars obstructing our view.

But there is one feature in cars that I cannot believe is not mandatory: automatic headlights. Automakers are always talking about active and passive safety — and what easier, cheaper measure can be taken for passive safety than automatic headlights in every car? Pretty soon, every new car sold in America will be required to have a rear view camera, but it’s okay if it has the ability to drive around in the dark with its lights off.

I can think of few things more dangerous in normal, everyday driving than driving at night with the lights off. Obviously, visibility is important to regulators, because there are all kinds of rules about headlights, tail lights, turn signals, hazard lights and reflectors. What’s the point of all of that regulation if a motorist has the ability to just not use their car’s lights at all?

It’s illegal to sell a new car that does not have a trunk release handle inside the trunk, but it’s perfectly legal to sell a new car with the ability to drive around at night with no lights on. Maybe the powers that be should think about changing that.

[WarGamer]

93. First offered by Cadillac in 1955.