20 replies to this topic

[tellmah]

Martin,

sorry, what I was trying to ask was, as they default to "auto" when you come out to the car and start it up in excellent daylight conditions do the lights still come on

 

It won't hurt for the lights to come on as you are starting the veh, so momentarily, nothing in it, especially with these high output uprated stop start batteries

Trevor, no they don't  come on in good daylight so the light sensors do work.

 

Ian. I'm the same with the auto lamps, i always have them off, just like the auto wipers that some days have a life of their own.

Edited by tellmah, 23 January 2019 - 04:42 PM.

[ianincheshire]

Martin,

 

 

What i have noticed though, is as soon as i get in the car it has switched to auto, so i turn it off before i start it up.

 

Ah! so does it show the selection and allow it to be changed as soon as the door is open i.e before the ignition is on ?

If so then I can do that, otherwise it's difficult since mine is also Keyless start!

Edited by ianincheshire, 23 January 2019 - 04:57 PM.

[TreborB]

Hi Ian,

I can see where you are coming from and don't disagree.

 

These latest stop start battery specs should handle things fine.

 

I really hope you are right about the lights only auto coming on if the ambient light level is low.

 

If so, I think it is a brilliant move by Ford regarding safety.

 

It should mean that no one can drive away with no lights on when they should be ON

 

(Just need Ford, and any other manufacturer, to stop the touch screen from being useable if the veh is moving, and another great safety step forward would be achieved!!)

[tellmah]

Ian

 

Iv'e just found out,even turning the switch to DRL's only doesn't help, as soon as the engine starts it trips back to autolights bringing them on when It's dark.

 

Mine is keyless start too. 

Edited by tellmah, 23 January 2019 - 05:40 PM.

[alrat]

Yea, on MK4 as soon as you start the car, it defaults to auto lights and turns on dipped headlights immediately if it's dark.  You can then turn them off, moving to DRLs only, but it doesn't get round the issue the OP (Ian) is concerned about.  

 

I'd agree with TreborB though, modern batteries, especially start/stop certainly aren't going to be stressed by this.  Have you tried pressing the max defrost button, now that scares me, everything is turned on, front heated screen, rear heated window, blowers on full, A/C comes on and cannot be turned off (until you turn off max defrost).  All that with the auto headlights on too LOL.

[TreborB]

Ha ha, don't worry, just drive on and enjoy

[chriscatt]

Yea, on MK4 as soon as you start the car, it defaults to auto lights and turns on dipped headlights immediately if it's dark.  You can then turn them off, moving to DRLs only, but it doesn't get round the issue the OP (Ian) is concerned about.  
 
I'd agree with TreborB though, modern batteries, especially start/stop certainly aren't going to be stressed by this.  Have you tried pressing the max defrost button, now that scares me, everything is turned on, front heated screen, rear heated window, blowers on full, A/C comes on and cannot be turned off (until you turn off max defrost).  All that with the auto headlights on too LOL.

With the smart charging systems of these cars if the battery is at risk it can disable certain functions to preserve the ability of the battery to start the car.
I do all of the above, only drive short journey's of around 5-6 miles and I have a dashcam that is on when the car is parked.
Never once has the car failed me...

[davetcollection]

Auto Headlamps are part of the ENCAP crash score and cannot be permanently turned off.

Eventually all cars will have no light switch, like some motorbikes, just fog lamp switches.

This is to prevent (irresponsible people) who have DRLs fitted driving around at night with no rear lights on

[soprano54]

I've recently taken delivery of a Mk4 Focus Titanium 1.5 Ecoboost.

 

Does anyone know how to turn off the Auto headlamps ?

Even when the light switch is rotated to OFF, as soon as the ignition is turned back On it defaults back to Auto headlights.

I can't see any options in Vehicle settings or Driver Assist either!

 

I'd prefer not to have Auto headlamps on all the time. On dark cold mornings it's not good for the battery to have the headlamps go on immediately and then have to start the car. Much better to start it first and then turn on the headlights!.

 

I've only ever had one battery fail in the last 20 years and that was on a 2 yr old car that I'd used autolamps on.

 

I'm pretty sure if you go into the menu 'Vehicle Settings' you can turn off the autolamps there!

[TreborB]

Well, I hope you can't turn them off, it's a safety feature as stated above.

 

It's to stop people driving with no lights on when they should be on. which is a big problem these days when the instrument panel is illuminated irrespective of other lights and there is a half wit behind the wheel.

 

With todays modern technology it is not detrimental to the battery

Edited by TreborB, 30 October 2019 - 04:58 PM.