Random Thought V2.0

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 12/19/2016 at 09:46 • Filed to: None

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Why the hell don’t headlights turn on automatically when the wipers are turned on? Like... Seriously, why?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 09:47

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I know, it’s so fucking stupid.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 09:49

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I wish instead that if you put the wipers on without turning on the lights within a minute or two, the car would punch you in the dick. Or alternatively a loud, annoying buzzer that does not shut off.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 09:49

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I have wondered that for some time. That wiring has to be so simple even I could do it, and I think having to change out a set of AA batteries is grounds for throwing something out.

crowmolly > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 09:51

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It’s like that on some Ford cars.

Jcarr > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 09:53

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Is this really a problem with cars that have light sensors to turn on the headlights now?

Rainbow > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 09:55

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Huh, I’m not sure. I do know though, that nearly every time I see a car without its lights on, either at night or in the rain, it’s something no older than 2014 or so.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 09:55

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A lot of those don’t turn the taillights on.

For I have no idea what reason.

Arrivederci > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 09:56

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I’d say a larger problem with those more than older ones with manually operated lights. Drivers become self-reliant on their automatic lights, but when it’s raining and daytime, it’s hard to see a silver or grey car through the rain and mist, unless it’s burning its lights. It may still be too bright out to trigger the auto lights to turn on, however.

Jcarr > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/19/2016 at 09:58

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Strange. Every one I’ve ever owned flips all the lights on when it deems it too dark.

jasmits > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 09:58

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Frankly the best headlight on/off system I’ve encountered was the one on the 2004.5 Volvo S40 I used to have. Car on, lights on. Car off, lights off.

McMike > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 09:59

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Here’s my solution to the problem:

Turn the car on, lights come on.

If you want to turn them off, you can do so, but as soon as you turn the car back on, there they are by default. Rain, shine, nightime, wipers on/off, it doesn’t matter.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 10:03

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GM products have full auto. I imagine others would too, but Ford, Dodge and Toyota have auto headlights but no auto tails. Dunno if ALL their cars do it.

So stupid. I can see where I’m going, therefore I can safely assume that the lights turned on automatically. But I’m wrong, the tails never came on... and therefore because of a perfectly reasonable assumption, I’m being a douche.

Jcarr > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/19/2016 at 10:07

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Our Camry is auto all the way around.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > McMike 12/19/2016 at 10:07

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This is how my truck works. More or less. Turn on, DRL’s are automatically on. If it’s dark, as soon as you put it in drive the headlights come on. The headlight knob does have an off position, but it won’t stay there. It’s springloaded so that it always returns to “Auto”. The only purpose it has is so you can switch the DRL’s off when you’re in park. As soon as you put it in drive again lights come back on.

Urambo Tauro > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 10:13

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While it does make sense that headlamps and wipers should both be on in the presence of rain, there’s still a need for wipers to be independent: the use of windshield sprayers in daylight.

It’d be silly to have the headlamps come on just for those few seconds.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 10:14

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Our Sienna isn’t. I don’t get what’s so difficult about it. I think it’s a trim level thing, but you’d think TOYOTA of all companies would make auto lights a standard feature. Our 2002 Montana had auto lights.

and 100 more > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 10:15

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I think it’s less of a car problem and more of a driver problem.

But let’s be honest, its not a feature you or I would particularly pine for; we just want dumbfucks who can’t be bothered to take safety into their own hands, to be forced into compliance.

Rainbow > Urambo Tauro 12/19/2016 at 10:16

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I think it would be easy enough to have it so the lights don’t turn on with the sprayers.

Rainbow > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/19/2016 at 10:17

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So THAT’S why I keep seeing cars with only their headlights on. I’ve been wondering that forever.

McMike > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/19/2016 at 10:17

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My suggestion does away with DRLs and “auto” selections.

On = Full tails, headlights, and side markers

Rainbow > and 100 more 12/19/2016 at 10:18

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For sure. I wouldn’t pay extra for it, but I’d love it to be standard.

Tekamul > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 10:24

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Because then when I twist my wiper sfor an extra few swipes when cleaning my windshield, I end up flashing my lights at on coming drivers. Then one of those drivers happens to be a gang member, and he chaces me down and shoots me, as per gang rules.

See what you’ve done!?!?

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 10:26

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The irony here is that I only started driving around without headlights after driving a car that turns them on for me via sensor. First time was with that car after picking it up from the shop. They turn the auto-on function off for whatever reason. After driving 2-3 blocks I thought “why is it so dark out tonight?” and quickly realized the answer.

Jcarr > Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief 12/19/2016 at 10:27

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The shop I go to does the same thing. Probably because they have it running inside the shop.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 10:28

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I think there are a bunch of cars that turn on running lights with the ignition, which lights up the dashboard, which fools people into driving around with running lights, not headlights.

bhtooefr > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/19/2016 at 10:30

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That’s gotta be DRLs, not the full auto headlights.

bhtooefr > McMike 12/19/2016 at 10:33

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There’s always the way motorcycles do it - key on? Headlights are on, full low beam, your only control is to switch to high beam.

GM is close to getting it right with the spring-loaded off position, though.

But, with automatic headlights, your wipers should really trigger them to come on. In my Prius, it doesn’t. (Of course, in my Prius, it does have auto-off functionality on the headlights, so I could just turn them to full on, and leave them there 24/7.)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > bhtooefr 12/19/2016 at 10:35

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They seemed far too bright for DRL’s. And even those should be at all 4 corners, no?

Berang > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 10:36

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Why is it always silver cars that are driving with their lights off in rain and fog?

Urambo Tauro > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 10:37

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Fair enough.

But I’m not convinced that there would never be an independent need for wipers. There’s still weird random things you encounter every once in a while, like someone’s poorly-aimed lawn sprinklers or something.

Berang > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 10:37

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Yes. My mom never turns on her headlights, she counts on the car to do it for her. Guess what? Daytime during the rain, or in the fog, the lights don’t come on by themselves.

McMike > bhtooefr 12/19/2016 at 10:39

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Exactly. Key on = lights on.

There are times you need to turn them off, though. Like if you’re idling across the street from your ex girlfriends house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her new boyfriend. ..or passing through some security gates,

You know how your doors automaticlly lock at 5-15mph? Maybe have them reset at that trigger, too.

You can turn them off, but they won’t stay off for long. :)

My first solution to this was to stop illuminating gauge clusters. With them lit all the time, some people think their lights are already on. Unfortunately, that train has left the station. Everything is lit these days.

LongbowMkII > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 10:57

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Fuck yes. Nissan sensors are awful. It’s dark? I can hold out just a little longer.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 11:03

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Why aren’t headlights just... on? Every time the car is turned on? Even in daylight it isn’t like it hurts anything to be *more* visible. Sure you might go through headlights more often but what’s $20 a few months sooner than it might be otherwise?

bhtooefr > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/19/2016 at 11:11

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No, DRLs are headlights only. (Sometimes they’re different bulbs than headlights. GM likes to use the high beams at reduced power, which can explain why it looks brighter.)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > bhtooefr 12/19/2016 at 11:14

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GM is all 4 corners automatically.

Ford and Chrysler are the ones I’ve noticed with headlights only.

spanfucker retire bitch > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 11:14

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I’ve noticed those sensors are pretty worthless if you have low visibility weather combined with it being during the day.

Especially in snow storms and thick fog - automatic headlights even with sensors just don’t come on. It’s not dark enough.

Rainbow > Urambo Tauro 12/19/2016 at 11:17

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Eh, but still. I don’t see the harm in having your lights on for a second during the day, anyway.

spanfucker retire bitch > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/19/2016 at 11:18

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Probably wouldn’t even need to rewire anything. I bet an if statement in the ECU would be enough.

bhtooefr > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/19/2016 at 11:19

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Yeah, that’s not automatic headlights, that’s DRLs.

Illuminated instrument cluster does not mean headlights are on, it means the instrument cluster’s illuminated.

Automatic headlights means automatically detecting it’s dark and selecting the equivalent of “on”, which means tail lights.

Jcarr > spanfucker retire bitch 12/19/2016 at 11:20

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I’ve driven 3 vehicles from 3 different makes with auto headlights over the last 10 years and never had a problem with any of them turning on in that situation.

AndyG_UK > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 11:27

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I’m sure I have read (maybe on these hallowed pages) at some point about some cars that actually do switch on the lights when wipers come on full (ie not intermittent) and that pretty much all modern VAG cars with auto lights and wipers can have it switched on via VCDS (new VAGcom), I shall be looking in to it when I get by SEAT Leon.

BigBlock440 > Urambo Tauro 12/19/2016 at 11:29

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Eh, just like driving through a tunnel, maybe a little annoying but not a big problem to have them on.

I can think of several scenarios to not have your headlights on, but I can’t think of any where you’d have your wipers on and it be detrimental to have your headlights on, outside of being chased by bigfoot or something.

spanfucker retire bitch > Jcarr 12/19/2016 at 11:34

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Well I don’t know what to tell ya. From my anecdotal experience, they don’t work in those conditions. Now it’s possible those cars I see on the road (which I know have auto functioning headlights) have their headlights completely off, but my Mom has 2014 Escape SE loaded to the gills and her auto headlights do not come on in those conditions.

BigBlock440 > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 12/19/2016 at 11:35

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Go out to start your car early, you’re headlights are shining into your neighbor’s bedroom window until you leave. Come home late at night, same deal, or your kid’s window. Get to the campsite late, blind everybody else until you turn the car off. Have to leave the drive-in movies a little early, or get there for the second because you didn’t want to watch the first, well you’ve just annoyed the shit out of everybody trying to watch the movie.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > BigBlock440 12/19/2016 at 11:38

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So have a momentary pushbutton to turn them off, but have them by on by default when you start the car. Most GM cars with automatic headlights work this way except it’s totally defeatable when automatic mode is turned off completely, otherwise the lights are on by default and you momentarily bump the headlight switch clockwise to turn them off until the next key cycle, or they’re turned back on manually.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 11:43

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My audis all do it with auto lights, my 05 and 06 Caddy’s both did as well, the feature is out there. Our new Pacifica does too. It’s a nice feature. Not a must, but nice.

Tazio, Count Fouroff > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 11:53

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Probably just hadn’t yet occurred to the Safety Cabal. Now you’ve done done it... ;-)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > bhtooefr 12/19/2016 at 11:59

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K.

I didn’t say anything about that. And actually... in a VW that is what it means. OK, a last-gen Golf, anyways...

Either way, lights up front without lights in the rear is stupid. Frankly in this day and age not having full auto lights is idiotic. We HAVE the technology...

bhtooefr > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/19/2016 at 12:05

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The way VW does it on Mk6-era cars is... weird.

The instrument cluster has its own light sensor, in addition to any automatic light sensing that the car has for headlight control.

If it’s light out, the cluster will be illuminated.

If it’s dark out and the headlights are on, the cluster will be illuminated.

If it’s dark out and the headlights are off, it will shut off illumination except for the needles, IIRC.

Many modern cars just always illuminate the cluster if the car is on...

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 12:22

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Two things:

First I loved that volvo just had headlights on at all times. I don’t know why other manufacturers don’t do this. I don’t see the harm in headlights on during the day.

Second, I had a coworker lease a 2015 Dodge Challenger v6 and there actually is a setting that does turn lights on when wipers are on! Maybe we are getting closer.

DynamicWeight > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 12/19/2016 at 12:28

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What about when you use a remote start in the aforementioned situations? Stop making everything automatic. There are use cases you can’t predict.

DynamicWeight > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 12/19/2016 at 12:30

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Sometimes you want the car on, but don’t want to shine your lights at whatever is in front of you. Like in parking lots. Or camp sites. Or into your bedroom.

DynamicWeight > jasmits 12/19/2016 at 12:31

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Sometimes I want my car to running without it’s lights on. Like when it’s warming up in the morning.

jkm7680 > Rainbow 12/19/2016 at 16:46

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All headlights should be automatic. I can’t tell you how many dumbasses I see driving without their lights on at night. Mostly Toyota drivers as well.