There are pluses and minuses of your lights in ‘AUTO’ mode
Q Please remind readers that when you have your lights in the ‘”AUTO” mode, they will not turn on in the rain. Under that scenario, you need to turn them on manually.
— Carol Ryall
A The AUTO switch automatically turns on a car’s headlights, and some do even more. Read the driver’s manual to discover what they can and cannot do. Here are the experiences of Roadshow followers.
Q My 2012 Chrysler Town & Country has the AUTO headlight switch. A great feature is that it turns on the headlights when the wipers are on. — Phil Ackerly, Santa Clara
A But there’s more.
Q I don’t usually use the AUTO headlight setting on my 2011 Leaf. I turn my lights on when driving. Putting the light in AUTO mode means that the lights will be on only when it is dark enough. Turning lights on at all times is a small price to pay for added safety.
— Barton Smith, Campbell
A Safety experts agree.
Q I had AUTO headlights on my 2000 Toyota Camry XLE — best feature! And they also turned on my taillights.
— Roxanne Chinn, Milpitas
A That’s the kind we need.
Q Another feature is high beams turn off automatically when it senses a car approaching.
— Phil Ackerly
A Wow! Onto another believer.
Q General Motors sells an accessory kit that includes a photocell and a controller, and I installed it for our 1996 Buick Roadmaster and loved it. We use them on all our automobiles.
However, we turn them off when its raining since the sensor or wipers are not connected to the lights. This should be a feature for all future vehicles. — Kirk Miller, San Jose
A Indeed it should.
Q I had a AUTO switch on my 1992 Mercury Sable and now on my 2006 Mercury Montego. For 26 years, I’ve only had to think about headlights when I emerged from a car wash since the attendants always turn them from AUTO to off or when driving in moderate fog or on wet roads with heavy tire spray.
— Allison Lane, San Jose
A Those dang attendants.
Q I would be a millionaire if I had a penny for the number of times a car has come toward me with its AUTO light on, but not the main headlamp or taillights.
— Traci Terluin
A And that is today’s final word.