While I was at the dealer for the other problems, I also asked about the auto headlights - they seem to come on really early (when it isn't as dim as I would have turned on the lights myself) even though I have the sensitivity setting on "Late".  It also hangs on to lights On long after I would have turned them Off in the morning.  

 

The dealer claims that they are working as designed.  I would say that dipped beam in slightly low light is even less necessary now we have DRLs.  And don't get me wrong - I am not advocating driving round in the dark with lights off, just not broad daylight with lights on!
 

My benchmark is my 2009 Audi A4 which worked perfectly (also set to "Late").  Maybe I should just do it myself, but using Auto in the previous car just meant I could forget about switching as it just WORKED, and I want to go back to that.  Should also stop being grumpy.  Need a coffee.

The auto lights in my Superb come on at totally random times and also come on earlier than I would expect, although this does change from day to day. I also had an Audi A4 at some point (57 plate) and that was set to late and it was just about right for what I wanted.

 

I find I am switching off my lights more often with the Superb than I did with the Audi

I also think the light sensor is too sensitive. I notice that even a little dust on the screen makes a big difference though. If you clean the sensor it seems to work decent.

Thanks.  Sounds as though we all agree.  Maybe we should campaign for a software update??

Thanks.  Sounds as though we all agree.  Maybe we should campaign for a software update??

I've been playing around With the car settings the last couple of days, and noticed that it's possible to either Select "early", "normal" or "late" in the menu for the adaptive headlights. I got Columbus, but I would think these settings apply to all cars With bi-xenon AFS headlights.

I've been playing around With the car settings the last couple of days, and noticed that it's possible to either Select "early", "normal" or "late" in the menu for the adaptive headlights. I got Columbus, but I would think these settings apply to all cars With bi-xenon AFS headlights.

Lol, the OP mentioned this in his original post.

The problem with auto headlights, is that the manufacturers have to err on the side of caution when it comes to setting them up. It's much better from the manufacturers point of view that they come on slightly early rather than late.

 

The auto headlights on my Octavia MkII are the same........they turn the lights on quite a bit before I would. 

Lol, the OP mentioned this in his original post.

Sorry for that... Well - it seems the OP has issues with his headlights, then. 'Cause mine turn on and off when they are supposed to.

The problem with auto headlights, is that the manufacturers have to err on the side of caution when it comes to setting them up. It's much better from the manufacturers point of view that they come on slightly early rather than late.

 

The auto headlights on my Octavia MkII are the same........they turn the lights on quite a bit before I would. 

Good point.  I suppose it is a bit like speedometers - they can't be under, so manufacturers make sure they are a bit over.

 

Sorry for that... Well - it seems the OP has issues with his headlights, then. 'Cause mine turn on and off when they are supposed to.

Lucky you.  The dealer told me that all the ones they tried in the workshop were the same (though I am not sure how they simulated dusk falling!).

Good point.  I suppose it is a bit like speedometers - they can't be under, so manufacturers make sure they are a bit over.

 

Yes exactly that.......good analogy. 

I turn my lights on when I need them, and off when I don't.

 

The 'auto' setting just gets in the way.

 

Too many people use 'auto' as a 'set and forget' feature, just like the several cars driving in thick fog this morning with just DRL's and no rear illumination.

Edited 23 September, 201312 yr by silver1011

I turn my lights on when I need them, and off when I don't.

 

The 'auto' setting just gets in the way.

 

Too many people use 'auto' as a 'set and forget' feature, just like the several cars driving in thick fog this morning with just DRL's and no rear illumination.

I don't disagree with you - my point was that in my 2009 Audi A4 it Auto really was 'set and forget' because it worked perfectly.  It weighed more, carried less, went round bends better, didn't do 60mpg though - every car is compromise...

You'd expect the components used on the Audi to be the same as the Skoda.

 

I guess they probably are but there must be other vehicle specific influences over the sensitivity of the auto setting from car to car.

 

I manually turned on my lights in the fog this morning, but when it cleared I returned the switch from manual to auto and the headlights stayed on for a further 20 miles until I turned off the engine, despite it being nice and bright.

 

I've read there are other triggers for activating the lights such as the wipers being on for a set period of time, speed exceeding 80mph and low but bright sunshine.

On FL model you can change de sensibility. As many I havemine off, mostly use auto at night so the CH/LH can work. Dads Toyota auto lights work perfect.