Hi ALL,

Is there any way to adjust the sensitivity on my auto headlights? Would it need VCDS or VCP if there is or am I not seeing a setting in maxidot that adjusts?

 

The reason for asking is I have noticed over the last few days that My auto headlights stay on longer than I would like and seen very sensitive to shade, turning the lights on when not needed.

An example of this happened this morning, My car is parked on my drive in front of the garage which means that even in the height of summer it is in shade, so the head lights always come on but usually turn off by the time I reach the end of my estate as the road is in sunlight. 

This morning headlights came on as above however did not turn off until I was almost at work ( approx 20 miles) weather was cold but brilliant sunlight and while the car is not always driving into the sun there were long periods where I was driving straight at it.

 

It seams like the auto headlights are quick to pick up shade/low light but slow at detecting sunlight.

I would say they have always been slower to detect light than other cars I have had but acceptable however as of late ( may be due to sun being lower in the sky) they are getting slower at turning off the lights.

Cheers 

 

Dave.




 

I've noticed this too. I wouldn't be surprised if the ecu recognises winter due to temperature so keeps them on. Not your answer I know just cars are so clever these days.

Also my lights come on as soon as car hits 90 mph. (not a regular thing just saying)

Thanks Kris, interesting theory that I had not thought of, I did not register the temperature this morning but would expect it was under 10 degrees when I set off so possible as it may have risen as I got closer to work as I drop elevation.

Not tried the speed test    

I've noticed this too. I wouldn't be surprised if the ecu recognises winter due to temperature so keeps them on. Not your answer I know just cars are so clever these days.

Also my lights come on as soon as car hits 90 mph. (not a regular thing just saying)

The lights are set so that they come on once you exceed about 85mph.

Also rather than flash on and off a lot they will stay on if you go in and out of dark areas, I think this is to prolong the bulb life.

There is an adjustment in VCDS for the sensitivity of both the light and rain sensor.

Thanks for the clarification on the speed Trundlenut good to know.

I would agree that they work better when traveling through shady areas, I had an old Peugeot that  that would switch the lights on and of at the smallest change in light to the point where people thought I was flashing my headlights.

Thanks Phil -E I will have to look into adjusting them and see is that makes it better.

Simple method to test... make sure headlights are on auto and bright enough for them to be off, put hand over sensor on windscreen (behind mirror on these I think), lights should come on, remove hand see how long it takes for lights to go back off.

It's in a funny place to adjust. Not sure if you've ever coded the light sensor before?

 

I think it's under 09 central electrics but you have to choose the drop down menu under long coding and select RLS (Regen Licht Sensor).

I don't have VCDS as yet Phil-E so will probably get someone else to do it ( Mike Holroyd probably next time I'm passing) but thanks for the info.

There has to be a dead band built in so the lights don't start flashing on and off while you are driving through shadows or areas of cover from the sun.

 

I wouldn't bother adjusting it, its better to have them on when they are not needed rather than them being slow to come on once it gets dark. I suspect the manufacturers spent a lot of time deciding how it should be set.

Edited 16 November, 20169 yr by SuperbTWM

It's in a funny place to adjust. Not sure if you've ever coded the light sensor before?

I think it's under 09 central electrics but you have to choose the drop down menu under long coding and select RLS (Regen Licht Sensor).

It's a sub controller in central electrics.

 

I think it's under 09 central electrics but you have to choose the drop down menu under long coding and select RLS (Regen Licht Sensor).

 

Slightly off topic

 

Mmmmmm..........Very Intresting Phil, the wife has a Fabia MKIII SE-L with Auto lights but no rain sensor.  The Auto lights come on when it's quite  dark and sometimes you need to turn the lights yourself. I asked the dealer if the light sensor could be altered to make it more sensitive, the answer was don't know so I phoned Skoda CC and was put through to the technical department an was told the sensor cannot be adjusted. So looking at your reply it could or can be altered. My Vrs has a setting in the car setting on the Radio to alter the sensitivity but not on the wifes Fabis

 

Back on topic

Cheers Mike, I'll see how it goes as I think it is just down to the change in lighting since the clocks went back and the sun is lower in the sky as it was working much better.

 

On the trip home from yours the other week my auto headlights came on as I drove through a heavy rain shower as the sky's darkened and then turned off again a few mins after being back in daylight when the sky's cleared and while it was not instant it was acceptable and felt like it was working as it should.

If it really starts annoying me Ill drop you a PM next time I'm heading in your direction and pop in.

Silly question for the day.... is there any way of adjusting the sensitivity on the auto-dimming rear view mirror? Mine hardly seems to react to things that are blinding!

Cheers Mike, I'll see how it goes as I think it is just down to the change in lighting since the clocks went back and the sun is lower in the sky as it was working much better.

On the trip home from yours the other week my auto headlights came on as I drove through a heavy rain shower as the sky's darkened and then turned off again a few mins after being back in daylight when the sky's cleared and while it was not instant it was acceptable and felt like it was working as it should.

If it really starts annoying me Ill drop you a PM next time I'm heading in your direction and pop in.

The headlights come on once the wipers run continuously for 4 or more wipes. They turn off a while after the wipers stop.

I've also read in the past that the auto lights can also come on when driving into a bright low sun.

My auto lights drive me potty. I tend to switch them off which is a shame really but I can't stand them coming on and off in the day.

I drive rural roads with trees providing patches of shade which set them on/off all the time!

The headlights come on once the wipers run continuously for 4 or more wipes. They turn off a while after the wipers stop.

Thanks trundlenut that explains how they were working travelling back from Mike's, I would say that was exactly what they did.

Anddenton, hmm well mine certainly stayed on driving into low bright sunlight yesterday, however they eventually turned off about a mile from work while still driving into low sunlight.

VegasPhil, I have the opposite issue in that they come on and stay on. I drive a couple of miles with over hanging trees but the lights stay on.

To be fair I'm happy that it does this rather than switch on and off all the time.

My gripe with them is that they stay on when I feel it's not necessary.

I agree it's a shame to turn them off, especially as I use my coming home and leaving lights and I will forget to turn them back to auto when I get out.

Silly question for the day.... is there any way of adjusting the sensitivity on the auto-dimming rear view mirror? Mine hardly seems to react to things that are blinding!

I have the same problem 2011 Octy Scout

Thanks Mike