What Is Headlight Sensitivity?
Headlight sensitivity is best described as a shortened term for "automatic headlight sensitivity." Automatic headlights are a standard feature in many new vehicles. Both a safety and convenience feature, automatic headlights go on and off according to ambient levels, without driver interaction. Sensitivity of this function is predetermined from the factory, although high-line vehicles often include an adjustment setting for sensitivity levels.
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Automatic Headlights
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Automatic headlights offer convenience to a driver by eliminating the need to turn headlights on and off while driving or exiting the vehicle. Ambient levels, which are measured through a sensor, detect the need for turning on and off headlights accordingly. Generally, this function works well in fog, stormy weather or any time a driver would normally turn on the lights. There is no need to turn off the headlights when exiting the vehicle, because the feature is shut down when the vehicle is turned off
Issues
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Although automatic headlights can be convenient, there might be a time when the driver would prefer they be deactivated. Even if a vehicle is in "park," the automatic feature will be turned on, resulting in headlight use when not necessarily needed (e.g., in a driveway while warming up a car or at a drive-in movie). This feature may not detect rainy conditions, because ambient levels differ in such situations.
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Troubleshooting
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Turn off the automatic headlights in parked conditions by engaging the parking brake. The automatic feature also has an option for "on" or "off" on the headlight controls, which overrides the auto feature. Usually signified by a capital "A," switching towards the "on" or "off" button should suffice. In some cases, turning off the feature is achieved by turning the headlight control knob towards the "A," which will turn the automatic feature off and show a notification in the dashboard information system such as "Automatic Headlights Off." An owner's manual may show more detail if a vehicle requires different interaction.
Sensors
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Automatic headlights work through the use of sensors. Sensors can usually be found on the dashboard area and look like small tinted globes, similar to a store's hidden ceiling camera. Some vehicles have the sensor in a hidden location. Regardless, be sure to keep this area clear, because covering the sensor will result in unnecessary headlight use in daytime conditions.
Sensitivity Expectations
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Address sensitivity issues by turning on or off the headlights through the manual option on the controls. Expect the headlights to come on when driving through a tunnel or under a bridge. Although designed with an ambient sensor, the vehicle has no intelligence regarding time of day or location.
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References
- Photo Credit sports car headlight image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
