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Dear Car Talk: You recently asked for comments from anybody who doesn’t use their automatic headlight switch, asking why. I took several safe driving classes through my employer. The instructors always advised that cars with their headlights on during the day got in fewer accidents because they are more visible. Thus, I always drive with my headlights on day or night!
So, I manually turn on the lights during the day. I also have to remind my husband to turn on the lights every time he is driving during the day — he can’t be trained. I love your column and never miss it. — Sue
That’s a good point, Sue. The handful of complaints we hear about automatic headlights relate to them coming “on” when the driver does not want their lights on.
Your complaint is that the automatic system keeps the lights “off” during the daytime when you want them lit up. And you’re right that using your lights during the day has been shown to reduce accidents by anywhere from 3% to15%, depending on the circumstances. However, most cars now have daytime running lights (DRLs). Those are “always-on” front lights designed for exactly that purpose — to make your car more visible.
DRLs are a little bit different than your normal lights. In some ways safer, and in other ways, not as safe, in my opinion. They have a lower light intensity, so they’re not as bright as your headlights. However, they have a wider beam dispersion and send light in all directions. Your regular headlights tend to point down toward the road. So, I imagine there are circumstances in which DRLs could do a better job of catching an oncoming driver’s eye.
I’d call it a wash, overall. But the clear downside of DRLs is that they’re only installed up front and do nothing to increase your visibility from behind. Another factor is that turning on your regular headlights during the day may make it harder to see your instrument cluster. Many cars dim the lighting on the cluster when the headlights are on — assuming it’s dark out and you don’t want your eyes to be blasted from inside the car.
If you choose to switch over to using DRLs during the day, it’s super easy. Just set your headlights to “automatic.” Your DRLs will light up during the day, and headlights will come on as it gets dark.
If you want to keep using your regular lights during the day, many cars now are smart enough to shut off the lights entirely when you turn off the ignition and lock the vehicle. So, you may be able to leave the light switch in the “on” position at all times, with no worries about them running down the battery.
Some cars have a “timer,” which leaves the headlights on for a minute or so, to light up a pathway to your house while you go inside. But you can test your own car. Leave the headlight switch on, shut off the car, lock it, and go inside. Then take a furtive peek from behind the curtains a few minutes later and see if all the lights are off. Try not to let your neighbors catch you doing this.
If all lights are off, then just leave the switch set to “on” all the time, and you’re all set. That’ll even eliminate the need for husband training, Sue. At least for that one issue.
Got a question about cars? Write to Ray in care of King Features, 300 W. 57th St., 41st Floor, New York, NY 10019, or email by visiting the Car Talk website at www.cartalk.com.