Automatic vehicle lighting

Automatic lights, or automatic headlights, are a feature on your vehicle aimed at enhancing safety. Automatic lights have been around since the late 20th century and were first only being used in luxury vehicles.

Today auto headlights are transitioning from being a luxury option to a more common feature.

Types of vehicles with automatic lights:

• Passenger cars
• Luxury vehicles
• Trucks
• Electric vehicles (EVs)
• Motorcycles

What are automatic headlight systems?

Automatic headlights are a feature found in many modern vehicles designed to enhance your safety on the road. They are lights that turn on and off by themselves without the driver needing to manually flip a switch.

Here’s how they typically work:

• Sensors are used to detect the level of ambient light outside the vehicle
• When it gets dark enough – like at dusk, during a storm, or when entering a tunnel – the sensors trigger the headlights to turn on
• On the other hand, when there's enough daylight, the headlights will turn off automatically

Some common features of automatic headlights include:

1. Light sensors – These detect the level of ambient light and automatically turn your headlights on when it starts getting dark.
2. Twilight sensor – These sensors can distinguish between different levels of low light, ensuring headlights turn on at the appropriate time, even in overcast conditions typical in the UK.
3. Auto high beams – These automatically switch between high and low beam settings depending on if there is oncoming traffic or vehicles in front of you. It maximises visibility without causing glare for other drivers.
4. Automatic levelling – This feature automatically adjusts the headlights' angle based on your load and road conditions. Ensuring you can see, without blinding other drivers on the road.
5. Headlight delay feature – This feature allows the headlights to remain on for a brief period after the engine is turned off. This is useful when you’re parking in poorly lit areas.
6. Headlight washers – Some high-end vehicles feature automatic headlights with washers to clean the lenses, which is useful in the UK where road grime can quickly accumulate and affect performance.

Automatic vehicle lighting systems

There are three main types of automatic headlights, with each offering unique benefits depending on your driving conditions.

Basic automatic headlights

• These headlights turn on automatically when your vehicle detects low light conditions, such as at dusk, in tunnels, or during poor weather
• When there's enough daylight, they switch off on their own, giving you one less thing to worry about
• Light sensors, usually on the dashboard or near the rearview mirror, keep an eye on the surrounding lighting conditions and adjust your headlights accordingly

Adaptive headlights

• Adaptive headlights are designed to make your driving experience safer and more comfortable
• They cleverly adjust the direction and intensity of the light beam based on how fast you’re going, the angle of your steering, and road conditions
• This means you’ll get better visibility when navigating around curves or driving over hills, with the headlights shining exactly where you need them most



Auto high beam assist

• Depending on the presence of other vehicles on the road and lighting, these lights can automatically switch between high and low beams
• A front facing camera or sensor detects the headlights or taillights of other vehicles, as well as the level of ambient light, to determine when to switch between high and low beams

Automatic headlights

Automatic headlights are a fantastic feature that add an extra layer of convenience to your driving experience.

Depending on your vehicle's manufacturer, these headlights might simply turn ‘on’ and ‘off’ automatically based on the surrounding light conditions. They ensure that you're always visible when it gets dark or when you're driving through tunnels.

Some advanced systems take it a step further by automatically switching between high and low beams. This means you get the best possible lighting for the road ahead without dazzling other drivers.

Adaptive headlights

Like automatic headlights, these smart lights automatically switch ‘on’ and ‘off’ based on the ambient light. They also effortlessly toggle between ‘dipped’ and ‘full’ beam. This provides illumination without blinding other drivers.

What really sets adaptive headlights apart is its ability to turn with your steering wheel. This means when you navigate around corners, the headlights pivot to light up the road ahead, giving you a clearer view of what’s around every bend.

With adaptive headlights, you get a lighting system that’s as dynamic as your drive, making every journey safer.

Matrix headlights

Matrix headlights are at the forefront of automotive lighting innovation, offering unmatched safety and convenience for your driving experience. They incorporate all the features of the adaptive and automatic lighting.

Unlike traditional headlights, matrix headlights feature multiple individually controllable LED segments. These segments can be adjusted independently, allowing the system to adapt the light distribution in real-time.

For example, if an oncoming vehicle is detected, the system can automatically dim or switch off specific LEDs to prevent dazzling the other driver, while keeping the road ahead brilliantly illuminated. This intelligent lighting technology enhances visibility on dark and winding roads, making night time driving significantly safer. 

Maintenance of automatic vehicle lighting systems

Automatic headlight systems can be more expensive to maintain because of their advanced features which may require specialised repairs and replacements.

If your automatic headlights, especially those with LED technology, become faulty or stop working, the repair process will be different from standard headlights.

Standard headlights usually allow you to replace individual bulbs, and typically costs between £10 and £30 per bulb plus labour. However the failure of LED automatic headlights could require you to place the entire unit, which is more costly. This potentially ranges from £200 to £600 or more, including labour.

Driving with automatic headlights

Automatic headlights take the guesswork out of lighting by turning on and off based on the surrounding light conditions. Whether it's dusk or dawn, the system will adjust without you having to lift a finger.

Things to keep an eye on:

• Sensor placement – Keep an eye on your sensors and make sure they’re clean and unobstructed. Dirt or debris can affect their performance
• System limits – Remember, automatic lights may not always react perfectly in every situation. For example, they might not turn on quickly enough in sudden low-light conditions like heavy rain or fog
• Manual override – Familiarise yourself with how to manually override the system. There might be times when you need to take control, such as when driving through areas with inconsistent lighting or when the automatic high beams are slow to react to oncoming traffic

Tips for using automatic headlights:

1. Regular maintenance – Keep your vehicle’s sensors and headlights clean to ensure they work at their best. Regularly check for dirt, snow, or ice buildup.
2. Know your settings – Understand the different settings available in your vehicle's lighting system. Some cars allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the automatic lights.
3. Stay vigilant –Even with automatic lights, it's important to stay aware of your surroundings. If you notice the system hasn't adjusted correctly, don’t hesitate to switch to manual control.
4. Check for updates – Some modern vehicles come with software updates that can improve the functionality of automatic headlight systems. Check with your dealer to find out if any updates are available.
5. Practice manual override – Know how to switch your lights quickly and safely to manual mode if the automatic system isn’t performing as expected.
6. If your vehicle has been in for repair or been used by another driver, check that the switch is set to 'auto' before driving. Not doing so could leave you without any lights to the rear of your vehicle and only Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) to the front when driving in the dark.

While automatic lights offer numerous benefits, they aren’t foolproof. Here are some scenarios where manual intervention might be necessary:

• Heavy fog or rain – Automatic lights may not always respond quickly enough to sudden changes in visibility
• Tunnel exits –Sometimes the lights might not turn off immediately after exiting a tunnel into bright daylight
• Inconsistent lighting – Driving through areas with patchy lighting, such as wooded roads with dappled sunlight, might confuse the system
• Glare from wet roads – Reflections from wet roads can sometimes trick the sensors into thinking it's brighter than it is

Are automatic headlights worth having?

Automatic headlights are a valuable feature for many drivers, offering a blend of convenience, safety, and modern technology. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons and see if they're worth the investment.

Pros:

• Convenience – They turn on and off based on the ambient light, so you can focus on the road without worrying about your headlights
• Safety – These systems make you more visible to other drivers and pedestrians, reducing the risk of accidents, especially during low-light conditions
• Adaptive features – Some advanced systems can switch between high and low beams automatically and even pivot with your steering to illuminate curves and corners better. This makes driving at night much safer
• Consistency – With automatic headlights set correctly, you'll never forget to turn your lights on, which is particularly useful in rapidly changing light conditions

Cons:

• Cost – There’s often a premium associated with vehicles equipped with automatic headlights, especially those with advanced features like LED technology and adaptive capabilities
• Maintenance – While reliable, automatic headlight systems can be more expensive to maintain and repair. Components like sensors and LED units can be costly to replace
• Sensor limitations – In certain situations, such as heavy fog, sudden changes in lighting, or inconsistent lighting conditions, the automatic system might not react as quickly or accurately as needed, requiring manual intervention

Automatic headlight systems, particularly those using LED technology offer better performance, longevity, and features than standard headlamps, but they are more expensive. Despite the cost, their improved visibility, convenience, and safety make them a worthwhile investment.