If I read and understand the manual correctly (not easy) when I have the wipers (not auto) on at low setting for more than 4 seconds the dipped headlights should switch on. A few times this week I have been driving in bright sunshine when rain has come on, the light level has not dropped to my mind, but the headlights have come on either before I have switched on the wipers, or when I have them on intermittent.

Anyone else noticed this, and any explaination? This implies to me the sensor is detecting the rain on the windscreen, if so could I get the wipers changed to auto?

Also when the Tunnel lights come on they seem to stay on for ages after coming back in to bright sunshine- my Avensis used to go off almost immediately. I do find this delay slightly annoying.

If you don't want it to turn on the headlights, leave the switch off, not auto. The wipers will automatically be activated if you have it on rain sensor mode, even if you restart your car.

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It sounds like you have your lights set to AUTO, if you want your bulbs to last leave the switch in the off position.

If you want the full advantage of the headlights at night then use the auto position.

The bulbs don't like being switched on and off for short periods. Turn off Auto when it's daylight.

The wipers only auto wipe after the doors have auto locked.

Phil.

There are a number of external influences that determine when your headlights are tuned on when the headlight switch is in Auto.

Aside from the obvious one (when it gets dark) there are several more:

1) When the wipers are on for a set period of time.

2) When your speed exceeds 80mph (approx.) for a set period of time.

3) During periods of low / bright sunshine.

Visibility is reduced when the sun is bright, especially when it is low in the sky. These conditions can result in your headlights being on in the middle of a summer’s day.

As others have mentioned the best thing to do is leave the headlight switch in 'O' as this turns off the automatic functions. You just have to remember to manually control your lights and turn them on in the rain and at night etc.

My Octavia has auto xenon's. I also find that once they are activated by any one of the above influences they do tend to either stay on for a prolonged period of time or just stay on for the duration of my journey until I switch of the engine.

Some say that this is to prolong the life of the xenon bulbs (as they do not like to be switched on and off repeatedly as this decreases their life), yet others with auto lights but without xenon's have noticed the same so who knows!

Either way I'm sure your lights / sensor are working correctly.

Also when the Tunnel lights come on they seem to stay on for ages after coming back in to bright sunshine- my Avensis used to go off almost immediately. I do find this delay slightly annoying.

I have tried to watch a few days the green light indicator lamp above the MFI, and it seems like the xenons on my car shuts off almost immediately when driving out of tunnels, even short ones.

Lights should be on during rain anyway

The wipers do not need to be on for the lights to come on, it also applies to the wiper auto setting with a slight difference in that they need to run for longer in that setting before the headlights come on.

I leave my headlights at 0 all the time and rarely use the auto setting, preferring to manually switch the lights on/off as I want rather than having clever electrics decide what I want.

The wipers do not need to be on for the lights to come on, it also applies to the wiper auto setting with a slight difference in that they need to run for longer in that setting before the headlights come on.

I leave my headlights at 0 all the time and rarely use the auto setting, preferring to manually switch the lights on/off as I want rather than having clever electrics decide what I want.

The Adaptive Lighting System does not operate in the "O" position.

Phil

The wipers only auto wipe after the doors have auto locked.

Phil.

Not true Phil, you do not need the anti-hijack (auto door locking) activated for the auto wipers to work

The Adaptive Lighting System does not operate in the "O" position.

Phil

The only thing that will work in the "O" position is the DRL's (if fitted/activated)

Not a fan of automatic lighting, don't see what is wrong with manual control activated by mark one eyeball. If situation is such that there will be a benefit from AFS, eh town at night, rain, unlit motorway etc put switch to auto is how I see it.

Not true Phil, you do not need the anti-hijack (auto door locking) activated for the auto wipers to work

Sorry, I meant to say the rain sensor auto wipe.

Phil

Sorry, I meant to say the rain sensor auto wipe.

Phil

I don't have auto lock enabled and the rain sensor auto wipe works

I don't have auto lock enabled and the rain sensor auto wipe works

Yep but I have auto lock enabled. The auto wipe engages after the doors lock.

Lots of expensive camera gear in the car so I use auto lock.

Phil