It can't be that hard to use automatic headlights...

ozbargainsam on 24/03/2021 - 21:33
Last edited 25/03/2021 - 22:26 by 1 other user

Been wanting to rant about this one for ages, but it seems like the perfect time for it:

Cars that clearly have automatic headlight systems without their lights on in the rain/night etc.

My lights are always on 'auto' mode and the only time I have to change it is back to auto because car services always set it to off.

It's even less work than filling up on indicator fluid or driving with self-awareness.

Secondary rant: you flash people to get them to turn their lights on, but it's like yelling at a deaf person because they just aren't aware they're doing anything wrong.

Edit: do we do edits on OzB? Anyway…the rant is about those driving at night or in the rain with no lights/DRLs.

Automotive

Comments

  • SF3 on 24/03/2021 - 21:37
    +27

    Been wanting to rant about this one for ages, but it seems like the perfect time for it:

    Thanks for your contributions to “OzDrivingEtiquette”.

    “Did you keep left?”

    “OzDrivingEtiquette”: a place to look for confirmation bias.

    • Castcore on 26/03/2021 - 01:16
      +2

      Haha, this is so true. Rarely people are going in open minded and simply want to unite with their fellow opinionated drivers.

      To be fair, this is less stinky compared to the keep left or car insurance ones recently.

    • Brianqpr on 26/03/2021 - 10:15
      +11

      Just pay the fine, you did the wrong thing. You should know the rules.

      Oh, hang on.

  • Trung on 24/03/2021 - 21:39
    +14

    My rant: My car with parking sensors came back from service with the option turned off.

    • fantombloo on 24/03/2021 - 21:44
      +4

      It pisses me off too, more than an adjusted seat.

      • capslock janitor on 27/03/2021 - 12:30

        I always leave Auto lights on,

        But Auto-wipers i tend to leave off, because once a drop of rain hits the sensor it will start dry-scraping my windshield and whatever dirt was on there

        • fantombloo on 27/03/2021 - 12:34

          Correct.

        • Rimas on 27/03/2021 - 21:50

          You can change it's sensitivity level to higher so it only wipes when it's actually raining

          • capslock janitor on 28/03/2021 - 09:37

            @Rimas: true but i found the next level notch is not comfy and the visibility gets too crap for us that i would have to manually operate it anyway

            so i leave it on the comfortable setting and still use lever like the old days

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 24/03/2021 - 21:44
      +8

      Continuing the chain.
      My rant: people who drive without insurance.

      • Travis J on 24/03/2021 - 21:56
        +1

        How could you tell?

        • FoxJump on 24/03/2021 - 22:01
          +24

          their car makes a different crunching sound.

          • websterp on 24/03/2021 - 22:17

            @FoxJump: I thought it was the uninsured driver after an accident not the car. I could be wrong though.

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 25/03/2021 - 06:40
          +3

          From the MS Paint diagram, when they post on OzBargain.

    • OpayuOnam on 25/03/2021 - 14:06
      +26

      This is fully understandable though as many mechanics are working in small shops with cars being in close proximity of other cars, walls or even the mechanic leaning on the car…
      Imagine that they are working on something that needs the engine to be running that equates to 30 minutes of beep beep beep while the poor mechanic is working on the car.

      Turn of the lights is also somewhat understandable, they are in their workshop and need to be working under the bonnet. But due to less light in the workshop the auto light turns on and now they are blinded by front lights of your car.

      Sure they could turn it back on, but considering some have been working on cars without auto light for years the muscle memory is usually to turn off the light…

      Basically what I am trying to say is there are certain pet peeves we all have which can actually be explained and are not worth getting so triggered over..
      (Full disclosure I used to be very pissed at these issues as well before I realise why)

      • Techie4066 on 25/03/2021 - 16:54

        Thank you for explaining the common sense reasons behind our annoyances, I really needed it set out for me.

        • OpayuOnam on 25/03/2021 - 17:21
          +9

          Glad I could help :)

      • photonbuddy on 25/03/2021 - 20:36
        +1

        Imagine that they are working on something that needs the engine to be running that equates to 30 minutes of beep beep beep while the poor mechanic is working on the car.

        Ummm … wouldn't the car need to be in reverse gear for the beep to happen?

        • OpayuOnam on 25/03/2021 - 20:49

          Front parking sensor.

          • photonbuddy on 25/03/2021 - 21:10
            +3

            @OpayuOnam: Wouldn't the car need to be gear for that to happen?

            • OpayuOnam on 25/03/2021 - 21:27
              +1

              @photonbuddy: On the Kia Hyundai I've worked with it beeps soon as it's on, which is mildly annoying when you park in a small garage

              • photonbuddy on 25/03/2021 - 22:14

                @OpayuOnam: I guess it would be …

                Seems like a silly feature, although I guess it could be because if there's children in the way, you've run over them by the time you register the beeps.

                • OpayuOnam on 25/03/2021 - 22:32

                  @photonbuddy: Possibly…

                • Euphemistic on 26/03/2021 - 07:35
                  +4

                  @photonbuddy: More like you learn to ignore the beeps because ‘it always does that’.

                  Case in point, every time I reverse out of the garage, the sensors pick up the garage wall and beeps. If there’s a child or other obstruction I probably won’t register because my brain has identified the cause of the beep as the garage wall.

                  At least wit cameras and mirrors you need to look and make your own assessment.

      • SlickMick on 25/03/2021 - 22:38
        -6

        It's not fully understandable, it's poor service.
        Yes, they will want to turn lights, radio, sensors off when working on car. But when done, put everything back where it was.

        I've had auto lights for some years now. I never think of turning lights on, I just don't have any visibility issues day or night, nor do I have flat batteries from leaving lights on.

        Then I bought a Kia. Very happy with the car, very unhappy with the service. But that's a seperate rant.
        Regarding headlights, the day after a service we took a ~600km trip. Left during the day, but darkness stealthy overcame us. I was thinking "these lights aren't as bright as they used to be", and the trucks roaring up behind us then suddenly overtaking us gave us a clue something wasn't right. My passenger said something, and I suggested that the clowns at Kia must have blown a fuse or something. (I'm presuming the park lights must have been on, as there was some light, and the dash was lit.) I presume the Kia must auto turn lights off, as we didn't have a flat battery. I'm not sure exactly what they'd changed the settings to.
        All I know is I was about to pull over and call roadside assist when I thought I'd just have a little fiddle, and behold I turned the lights on.

        Scary how we can become accustomed to things just working and forget something as simple as how to turn the lights on.
        Also scary how a slack service mechanic can potentially wipe out a couple of carloads of people in a terrible accident.

        • OpayuOnam on 25/03/2021 - 22:42
          +3

          In my experience comes down to the individual servicing. Unless you're talking about luxury brands which charge premium for their service (Lexus, BMW etc…) I don't really expect much extra from them. So long they do the required task thoroughly I'm more than happy.
          You gotta remember that the poor mechanic goes through a plethora of different brands and models of cars with varying controls and quirks (even if talking about dealer there's still a big range of style from various years and models). Comes down to the individuals attentiveness…

          • SlickMick on 25/03/2021 - 22:47

            @OpayuOnam: I totally agree with the reason for the problem, but I don't accept it as an excuse.

            If they can find out how to turn it off, they can turn it back on again.

            Funny thing, I had a BMW before the Kia, but had it serviced at Midas. 12 years, and they never left the lights off once.

            Kia hasn't done a service that didn't need a complaint. I already drive to the next town for a service. I might have to drive 600km just to get a service by the looks, or ditch the Kia.

  • brendanm on 24/03/2021 - 21:42
    +16

    just aren't aware they're doing anything wrong.

    This is the problem. People are just complete oblivious, and we hand out licences to people that shouldn't have them.

    • SlickMick on 25/03/2021 - 22:41

      amen

      oh wait, I thought we were talking about slack service attendants turning our cars into death traps

  • MS Paint on 24/03/2021 - 21:43
    +47

    My rant: your car has cruise control. Use it. Don't go 80, 92, 104, 79 within 1000m in a 100km/h zone.

    • brendanm on 24/03/2021 - 21:46
      +5

      This. I don't care if people go a bit under the limit, but this wild variation is a pain in the ass.

    • fantombloo on 24/03/2021 - 21:47
      +26

      104 is about right for cruise in a 100 zone.

      • Euphemistic on 26/03/2021 - 08:35
        +3

        Depending on the vehicle speedo.

        • cameldownunder on 26/03/2021 - 17:45
          +1

          Sync it with google map or other GPS speed meter.

          • Euphemistic on 27/03/2021 - 05:53

            @cameldownunder: Two cars. One at 107, the other bang on the 100 mark on the dial (it has larger tyres than stock)

    • Quantumcat on 24/03/2021 - 22:17

      You can't control what the car is front of you is doing. It also doesn't keep constant speed on uphills and downhills.

      • robberbutton on 24/03/2021 - 22:31
        +1

        It also doesn't keep constant speed on uphills and downhills.

        Do they still not? My 8yo BMW has dynamic cruise control, I'd have thought most new cars would by now.

        • Quantumcat on 24/03/2021 - 22:34

          It tries to, but there's always lag.

          • MS Paint on 24/03/2021 - 23:02
            +3

            @Quantumcat: Most automatics will drop a gear uphill to maintain speed but a manual in 6th gear and a muppet driver - well that's different.

          • ozbargainsam on 25/03/2021 - 11:04

            @Quantumcat: There's lag on the acceleration. That has to entirely intentional to be more comfortable for the rider.

            On my 2015 Mazda, it can be more responsive if it's recently had to accelerate to catch up, but not if it's a sudden hill.

      • Poor Ass on 25/03/2021 - 23:44

        Some cars do like the 2016+ onward Outlanders adaptive cruise control. brakes for you going downhill to the speed limit and increases to limit uphill… Better than some luxury brands I've tried.

        • casho on 26/03/2021 - 23:58

          My 2005 BMW has that

          • Poor Ass on 27/03/2021 - 10:46

            @casho: I would expect that for the price

            • casho on 27/03/2021 - 21:28

              @Poor Ass: The $12,000? :P

              • Poor Ass on 27/03/2021 - 21:35

                @casho: lol when new of course

                By the way just monitor the water pump. Client's one melted.

                • casho on 27/03/2021 - 22:03

                  @Poor Ass: OK you are fun, keep it up :) No sarcasm. But comparing a 2016 outlander to a 2005 BMW and then expecting to pay the price that it cost back in 2005. Doesn't work that way. 2016 outlander price vs 2005 BMW (but it's price in 2016). Yadda, yadda, blah, who cares? What I'm really saying is the technology is not new, it's been around for decades. And you saying "better than same luxury brands I've tried" I'd be thinking they aren't luxury, or they are povo spec.

      • ConsumerAffairs on 27/03/2021 - 10:51

        And this is another reason why the right hand lane should be clear.

    • avoidfullprice on 24/03/2021 - 23:27
      +19

      But when you try to take over, their speed is yours + 15km/h

      • AncientWisdom on 25/03/2021 - 17:41

        This would be my rant.

      • ATangk on 25/03/2021 - 17:56
        +2

        I tried to take over a car too, but then I was reminded this isn't GTA.

    • gorgrond on 25/03/2021 - 10:44
      +2

      Cruise control should be mandatory, and people should be trained to use it. It makes me a far better driver, as my attention can be kept into actual driving and traffic instead of "oh, I have to make sure I don't get a ticket".

      • cameldownunder on 26/03/2021 - 17:46
        +1

        Where do you put your right foot ?

        • gorgrond on 26/03/2021 - 18:22
          +1

          Car floor. Instead of sticking out, it is planted on the floor hide in front of the pedal.

    • ozbargainsam on 25/03/2021 - 11:06

      Depends. What cars have a digital speed readout? My Mazda only lets me select CC speeds in 5km/hr increments, so mine's usually set to +5, which worst case is actually +2 to +3 depending the overall speed and tyre pressure.

      • MS Paint on 25/03/2021 - 11:15
        +1

        and tyre pressure

        Whaaaat?

      • CMH on 25/03/2021 - 18:05
        +1

        Why is there such a large variation in your tyre pressure? Are you driving a truck with wheels that come up to your shoulder that ambient temperature would make that much difference to the circumference?

        • ozbargainsam on 25/03/2021 - 22:43

          It was something I read/heard a while back, but I couldn't find anything conclusive either way after having a quick google around.

          Either way, the logic goes: you can visibly see your tyres have reduced pressure if they appear 'flatter'. That translates to reduced distance from the road surface to the center of the wheel. That reduced distance means there's a reduced effective circumference as the wheel/tyre turns over, which translates to a lower effective speed.

          • MS Paint on 25/03/2021 - 22:53

            @ozbargainsam: Stop and repair tyres first.

            • ozbargainsam on 25/03/2021 - 23:04

              @MS Paint: Hmm? Are you saying I have a leak?

              I can visibly see my tyres need a pump when they're at 35psi from 38. I'm not saying I'm driving around at 20psi.

          • whitelie on 25/03/2021 - 23:08

            @ozbargainsam: There would be more variance in the factory calibration than between 3psi of air in the tyres I'm sure.

            Also why doesn't your cruise control lock on to whatever speed you're doing? Everycar I've owned (from my 1982 Mazda 929 to a 2018 AMG) locks on exactly where you set it and will increase in small or large incrememnts

            • ozbargainsam on 25/03/2021 - 23:45

              @whitelie: Oh. My cars aren't fancy enough to have TPM. It's just the pressure I see when I get to the servo to pump them up (at whatever they're calibrated at).

              Turning on radar CC will lock on the current speed, but I can only adjust it at 5km/hr increments. So if I don't have a follow car to tag off, I only have my own speedo (or GPS) to go by.

              • CMH on 26/03/2021 - 02:08
                +1

                @ozbargainsam: The point is that you need much more than 3 psi to make any significant difference to your tyre circumference, and thus your speed.

                In fact, I'm willing to bet you'd need to be so low it would be dangerous to drive at freeway speeds to make a difference: and that's assuming you're already running your pressures at the already low manufacturer recommended pressures (for some reason manufacturers believe your tyre pressures should be used to improve your ride comfort. Go figure). Anyway, that's a whole different topic.

                How often (if at all) do you check tyre pressures?

              • MS Paint on 26/03/2021 - 08:41

                @ozbargainsam: You don't have TPMS but you have radar cruise control? That's odd.

                • dunc on 26/03/2021 - 14:09

                  @MS Paint: I’ve got radar CC on my Kia, but no TPMS.

      • stewy on 26/03/2021 - 01:09

        Tell you what's better than just a digital speed reading, a HUD! Man those things are great.

        I have a HUD in one car and then in my other I have a Navman dash cam whose sleep mode for the screen can be set to be a digital speed reading. So much better than having to look down to read either an analog or digital speedo.

      • jason101 on 28/03/2021 - 07:25

        Mazda quirk fix here: accelerate to the speed you want ie 101km/h then press the + button on cc wheel control and the speed for cc will set to the current speed. The 5km/h variation step is only when you change speed when cc is already active and you use +/- buttons to vary the speed. If you do use the +/- buttons to vary speed and the next step up is too fast, press the “can off” button wait a sec or 2 as speed decreases to the desired point then Press + again.

        • ozbargainsam on 28/03/2021 - 08:40

          Yup. I will occasionally do that but it takes a bit too much of my attention off the road while I wait for the speed to be 'just right'. Not many situations I'll do it though. Can't think of any atm.

          I usually set my RCC to +5 on highways and never a problem for cops.

    • DoctorCalculon on 25/03/2021 - 19:55

      Not all cars have radar/adaptive cruise control.
      They get switched off automatically when the brake pedal is tapped.
      So, you still need self-aware drivers.

    • SlickMick on 25/03/2021 - 22:49
      +1

      cruise control should be a mandatory feature.
      I look forward to the day when automated merging is an automated feature.

      active cruise does resolve the issue for the patient. You don't even notice that your speed has varied.
      It peeves me no end. I have to turn the cruise off so that I can overtake or at least rant at the fact that they're wasting seconds of my life.

      • Euphemistic on 26/03/2021 - 08:39

        When I used active cruise control I hated it. Waited so far back that the slow cars in front had no idea I wanted to go fast enough to pass them, even trying the ‘close’ setting.

      • gorgrond on 26/03/2021 - 18:27

        I have to turn the cruise off so that I can overtake

        Weird. Most of the CC's in cars I have used usually allows for quick acceleration for overtaking, going back to saved speed as soon as you foot comes out of the pedal. I just stops if the breaks are pressed, and you can easily go back to "last known speed" using the reset button.

        • SlickMick on 26/03/2021 - 21:20

          I meant I turn it off so a don't just patiently cruise behind them and not bother to overtake… although it does get a bit wierd if I go past the cruise speed. I don't know that it's actually trying to brake while I'm accelerating, but it seems to resist me. Plus I cruise pretty close, but like to have a bit more room to time overtaking.

          • gorgrond on 29/03/2021 - 09:52

            @SlickMick: I guess there are CC's that also have speed limiter embedded, as to slow you down when you go downhill… maybe a setting you can change? I would investigate that.

            That said, it is good to also have a limiter for downhill… so I guess it depends on your driving style.

            • SlickMick on 29/03/2021 - 18:50
              +1

              @gorgrond: yeah that's what active cruise is… I'm just not sure how it is supposed to behave if you exceed the set limit e.g. when overtaking, or an emergency situation. I'd have thought if I accelerate, it should acknowledge the override and not try to resist, but I'm not sure whether it's that smart or not.
              I turn it off if I intend exceeeding the limit just to be sure.

            • ozbargainsam on 05/04/2021 - 21:42
              +1

              @gorgrond: Cruise control had these phases of introduction:

              • maintain a set speed (dumb)
              • maintain a set speed with braking function (slows you down as you go downhill)
              • active cruise (maintains speed and distance to car in front)

              Active cruise always does speed maintenance: you can't turn it off downhill sections.

              On my Mazda, the accelerator always disengages the braking function. When you let go, and you're over the limit, it'll start slowing you down again. But it doesn't resist you when you're accelerating for example when overtaking.

              It's unlike active lane keeping, which does push back even if you're turning with some pressure.

  • iNeed2Pee on 24/03/2021 - 21:58

    Please watch this. Thats all I could think of. https://youtu.be/i4w4cdxSLB4

    🤣

  • dylanando on 24/03/2021 - 22:00
    +4

    right, it amazes me how people don't notice they aren't on.

    • Subere on 25/03/2021 - 14:36
      +7

      Because modern cars have their dashes always lit up, and they drive on roads with streetlights so they're oblivious.

      Always seems to be dark grey or black cars that don't have their lights on at sunset or during bleak rain.

      • fredblogs on 25/03/2021 - 16:28
        +1

        This. Why blame the drivers when it's clearly a UX problem.
        My car has the opposite issue - I can't tell when the lights have been left on during the day because the dash looks the same.

        • spaceflight on 25/03/2021 - 22:48

          I can't tell when the lights have been left on during the day because the dash looks the same.

          What want the indicator light to tell you they are on?

        • SgtBatten on 27/03/2021 - 11:13

          It's perfectly safe to drive with them on all day.

          I still remember to turn the headlights on right after I start the engine. I've driven my current car with auto lights for over a decade now but when I borrowed my dad's car recently it still was habit to twist the stalk in broad daylight.

          I always have my headlights on if manually set or on auto, day or night makes no difference.

          I get so shitty at people who drive in heavy rain without them on. It's not for you to see where you are going, it's for me to see you.

      • Ghost47 on 25/03/2021 - 19:46
        +1

        Just because the dash is lit up that doesn’t mean anything in front of them is as well. I’m surprised people don’t realise their lights aren’t on at night, when I drive without them on and it’s dark outside it’s glaringly obvious they aren’t on.

        If they don’t realise their lights are off because their dash lights are on then they aren’t paying attention to the road.

        • spaceflight on 25/03/2021 - 22:49
          +3

          I think that daytime running lights can lead people to think their headlights are on because they make some light on the road.

          • Ghost47 on 27/03/2021 - 16:44

            @spaceflight: True but not nearly the same amount of light as headlights.

      • spaceflight on 25/03/2021 - 22:48

        Because modern cars have their dashes always lit up, and they drive on roads with streetlights so they're oblivious.

        I have had cars that turn the dash lights off at night if they think the headlights should be on so you need to turn the headlights on to see the dash.

        Day lights also dim when you turn headlights on because they didn't need to be as bright at night. The bright dash should be a giveaway that your headlights are not in.

      • SlickMick on 25/03/2021 - 22:52
        -1

        Oh is that right? Back in teh day, the dash was the first indication that your lights weren't on.
        When an idiot service mechanic turned it off, I was driving on a highway for hours before I realised by I was continuously nearly being wiped out by trucks.

        Just for the record, I believe we've identified that the route of this problem is service mechanics, not drivers :)

  • SF3 on 24/03/2021 - 22:02
    +5

    OP should place large stickers on sides, rear, bonnet, roof of his car “USE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS”

    • MS Paint on 24/03/2021 - 22:10
      +11

      bonnet

      Bonut

      FTFY

      • No ONE on 26/03/2021 - 11:01

        Bonut

        FTFY

        Is that another type of donut/doughnut?

  • djones145 on 24/03/2021 - 22:12
    +1

    daylight savings means I need to change the time
    omg let the cows go crazy I don't want to change time

    • darshu on 24/03/2021 - 22:53

      https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/83jc8o/at_least_that…
      This is my philosophy

      • SlickMick on 25/03/2021 - 23:07

        I like it. … But wait, your philophy is daylight savings applies only to smart phones??

        My philosophy is when every device works like a smart phone, we can visit the idea of daylight savings.
        At least there might be a possibility of a reasonable justification then.

  • plmko on 24/03/2021 - 22:38
    +4

    Nope I turn on my headlights manually.

    • Ghost47 on 25/03/2021 - 19:54
      +1

      Do you have auto lights? If so why do you opt to turn them on manually?

      I don’t understand why people wouldn’t use auto lights (unless of course they want to run them during the day or maybe in foggy conditions when the sensor hasn’t picked up how bad visibility is).

    • ConsumerAffairs on 27/03/2021 - 11:07
      +1

      I have auto headlights but I use them manually, HID globes are to expensive to just be flicking on and off everytime you go under an overpass or through short tunnels. I hate the feature because it's designed for inattentive drivers unaware of their surroundings.

      • SgtBatten on 27/03/2021 - 11:14

        I coded my sensitivity levels using an obdeleven on my golf. Auto lights a feckin fantastic.

  • ozbargainsam on 24/03/2021 - 22:39
    +1

    That was possibly a bit of a self-own by not being clear and thus sounding like I'm a neurotic PITA (which admittedly isn't something I'll deny) but I'm actually complaining about people who drive in the dark or rain and forgot to turn their automatic headlights on.

    • SF3 on 25/03/2021 - 00:24
      +7

      At night and usually on a brightly lit street is when I sometimes see cars without their their highlights on, but when they reach a darker part of the street, that's usually when they notice and turn it on.

      Many of the modern day cars, the dashboard is always lit. With the older cars the dashboard is only lit when the headlights are on (and easier to for the driver to tell their headlight is on or off).

      Modernity makes people dumber.

    • Quantumcat on 25/03/2021 - 07:09
      +2

      I change my headlights from auto to on in the rain or fog as I'm not 100% sure the auto lights will turn on and I want to make sure

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