It was recommended that I leave the headlights set to "auto" by my dealer. I would tend to agree as it seems a logical thing to do and then the only thing I need to actually turn on and off would be the fog lights.


This morning on my way to work the headlight indicator on my dash kept going on and off, making me believe that my headlights might be doing the same thing. I turned the automatic setting off, as I don't want to be flashing my headlights on and off driving around. How sensitive is that sensor?


It was a relatively sunny morning here so I am a bit confused as to why the sensor might have been doing that. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

I haven't noticed that on my Fit yet...

I have had a few other cars (Toyota, MB, Mini, VW, etc.) with such automatic headlight and didn't notice either.

 

I sometimes have issues with my headlights in 'auto' mode also. They don't flash, thank goodness, but they have come on several times in broad daylight without a cloud in the sky. Goes back to normal the next time I get in the car. Someone suggested in another thread I believe to check for something like leaves blocking the sensor.

 

I don't know if the 2015+ Fits are like the 2012+ Civics but on my Si there is a sensitivity setting on the iMID. Have you checked the owner's manual to see if you can adjust the sensitivity? Might be worth a try.

 

The automatic headlight sensor is located on top on the dash, in the center, near the windshield. Make sure this area is kept clear, so the sensor can function properly. Also, if your headlight switch is in "auto", turning your wipers on will automatically turn your headlights from daytime running lights to normal headlight operation. With wipers on and headlights in auto, you will see headlight icon in dash. This is normal.

 

There is no sensitivity adjustment for the light sensor unfortunately. Pg 121-123 of the user manual details the function of the auto light feature. The foreword even mentions that the driver should operate the lights manually when driving at night, dense fog, dark areas like tunnels, etc.

Another cool thing to mention that when set to auto, if you turn on your wipers, or use them sporadically in certain intervals the headlights will automatically come on.

 

The one thing I dislike about the auto headlights is that they come on as soon as I unlock and enter the car, either at night or even in daytime if the car is in the garage. This means I'm starting the engine with the headlights on, putting an additional and unnecessary strain on the already pitifully small battery.

I understand the lights staying on after shutdown, so you can find your way to the door of your house, etc., but having the lights come on when you get in the car, before starting the engine, serves no logical purpose and just strains the electrical system.

 

Agree completely. And that's the main reason I don't use the "Auto" feature.

 

I only use "auto" on rainy days, because I sometimes forget to turn the headlights on/off when I'm driving in and out of rain.

 

I never use the auto feature, well , just because. I'm an active driver, I know when I need my headlights and when I don't. To forget when to put my headlights on, well, thats just plain dumb.

 

I notice that it must be significantly darker for the automatic headlight feature to kick on the lights compared to other cars I've owned or driven. Not a big deal to me but I've almost abandoned the auto feature.

 

This is the first car I've had with auto headlights, but I seem to experience the opposite. The headlights come on when I wouldn't expect them too (overcast days or an hour before sunset).

As a result, I tend to use auto only at night, or if I'm going to be driving in and out of rain where I might forget to turn the lights on and off.

 

I agree with Uncle Gary. I leave them on auto and they come on under the carport mid day.

 

I have automatic lights in both my truck and now the Fit, and honestly I like having them on during the day. It creates more visibility and reduces the chances that someone will overlook you while in traffic.


As such I have been very tempted to put a small amount of electrical tape over the sensor to fake out the Fit into thinking it is always night time. (I have not done this yet, as we have only had the car two weeks and I do not know how well the dash illuminates after dark.)


Although I must admit Uncle Gary makes a good point. That battery is about as big as the battery on my motorcycle and I am sure the extra drain could prove fatal if you only drive short distances and don't give the car a chance to recover from the energy loss of starting.

 

While the battery is an oversized motorcycle battery, the startup for cranking the engine can easily be overcome from a 15-20 minute drive, maybe less. The alternator regulates at 14VDC or thereabouts. recovery from the surface charge of the battery plates is very quick.

What the battery was not designed for is reserve time for accessories, no starting battery is. The battery is adequatly sized for starting the car, and the 90 amp alternator is standard. now if you go on and start adding extra stuff to the electrical system sure its more demand from a system that's not designed for it.

 

I have 2020 Honda Fit. The tail lights don't work when the auto headlights are on.

Idk...???

 

I have 2020 Honda Fit. The tail lights don't work when the auto headlights are on.

Idk...???

 

Totally normal.

When the headlights are full on at night the taillights are fully on.