View Full Version : Auto Wipers + Auto Headlights
Do the headlights automatically come on (auto setting) when the rain sensor triggers the wipers? (day time bright enough that the light sensor wouldn['t trigger the auto lights)
Did a search and couldn't find it.
fly300kts
11-26-2010, 05:47 AM
No, 2 different sensors
Anyone know if the DRL are adequate for needing your headlights on in the rain? I know they don't turn on the tail lights, but are tail lights on a requirement for rain?
And I think it is another thing that Audi cheapened out on if they didn't include auto lights with the wipers...
sinned
11-26-2010, 07:57 AM
My auto headlights come on when its not usually dark enough for the headlights to come on but it is raining. So I am guessing that darkness and the rain sensor both triggers the headlights to come on.
fly300kts
11-26-2010, 07:58 AM
Anyone know if the DRL are adequate for needing your headlights on in the rain? I know they don't turn on the tail lights, but are tail lights on a requirement for rain?
And I think it is another thing that Audi cheapened out on if they didn't include auto lights with the wipers...
You should sell your car
Tanner
11-26-2010, 09:07 AM
DRL is *ONLY* for providing a bit more visibility to oncoming drivers. It has nothing to do with the tail lights. Just amazed at the # of people here that drives around at night with their DRL - not sure why, but the instrument cluster shouldn't be lit up if the lights aren't completely on.
If you're driving in the rain and you need to see or you want better visibility, turn on the lights!!
You should sell your car
Wow... that was productive...
DRL is *ONLY* for providing a bit more visibility to oncoming drivers. It has nothing to do with the tail lights. Just amazed at the # of people here that drives around at night with their DRL - not sure why, but the instrument cluster shouldn't be lit up if the lights aren't completely on.
If you're driving in the rain and you need to see or you want better visibility, turn on the lights!!
My issue is the legal requirement of Headlights on when wipers are on... The question is do DRL fulfill this "headlights on" requirement? The issue with the tail lights, is are tail lights required to be on, when the wipers are on (since DRL do not turn on the tail lights)? I do understand what DRL are, and why they exist.
Thanks.
ryanworth
11-26-2010, 09:29 AM
You've found your answer a few times already. DRL is for Day Time Running Light only. Not bright enough to run in the rain, dusk, or night. If your wipers are on, turn on your headlights. Yes you should turn on lights so you have your taillights on too. Why would you want on-coming traffic to notice you, but not have drivers behind you not notice you? Just saying.
Heavy Fluid
11-26-2010, 01:44 PM
Is it really that hard to turn the headlights on in the rain? If it is a legal issue, I would just turn them on if you need to.
tankdeer
11-26-2010, 01:52 PM
Is it really that hard to turn the headlights on in the rain? If it is a legal issue, I would just turn them on if you need to.
No shit. You should have your lights on in the rain regardless of the law. It's a safety issue. I for one am sick of not seeing cars until the last minute because they are driving without their lights on in the rain. Use your brain - it's called common sense.
blkb707
11-26-2010, 04:53 PM
Do the headlights automatically come on (auto setting) when the rain sensor triggers the wipers? (day time bright enough that the light sensor wouldn['t trigger the auto lights)
Did a search and couldn't find it.
Not sure if US spec is same as Canadian spec but my headlights turn on (not the DRL) when the rain sensor triggers the wipers. And at the same time, the "disc brake wipe" option gets activated until the rain sensor detects no more rain.
You've found your answer a few times already.
As you can see... There are conflicting answers.
Not sure if US spec is same as Canadian spec but my headlights turn on (not the DRL) when the rain sensor triggers the wipers. And at the same time, the "disc brake wipe" option gets activated until the rain sensor detects no more rain.
Is there a chance, that it was just dark enough outside to trigger the lights?
CoDRoX
11-26-2010, 08:20 PM
Not sure if US spec is same as Canadian spec but my headlights turn on (not the DRL) when the rain sensor triggers the wipers. And at the same time, the "disc brake wipe" option gets activated until the rain sensor detects no more rain.
Probably a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway....how can you tell that brake disk wipe is activated?
Stewy
11-26-2010, 09:43 PM
Just amazed at the # of people here that drives around at night with their DRL - not sure why, but the instrument cluster shouldn't be lit up if the lights aren't completely on.
That's one of my BIGGEST pet peeves! Grrr. But some manufacturers like Honda, feel it necessary to illuminate the cluster and gauges even without the headlights on...people are clueless! "Hey Bob...how come I can't see when I drive at night? These headlights are so dim!"
Tanner
11-26-2010, 09:49 PM
I highbeam them several times if I'm behind them, and it'll take a few minutes before they clue in.
blkb707
11-27-2010, 07:44 AM
Probably a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway....how can you tell that brake disk wipe is activated?
Specified in the manual. All b7 with the newer ESP 8.0 has the "brake disc wiping" feature which is activated when the rain sensor is triggered. So you can't really see it but unbeknown to you, it is activated.
blkb707
11-27-2010, 07:54 AM
Is there a chance, that it was just dark enough outside to trigger the lights?
The lights will turn on even on a bright day if you just splash water over the rain sensor. It is a safety feature i guess and which really makes sense cause i can't get it why some drivers never think of turning on their lights when driving on the highway on a rainny day. Ever try to pass an 18wheeler while it is raining? All that mist making you guess if there is a car right ahead or not?
bblume
11-27-2010, 09:43 AM
Probably a dumb question, but I'll ask anyway....how can you tell that brake disk wipe is activated?
You'll hear it when the little elves shut their special secret door and climb down with their box of wipes to get started on the work.
According to my local service adviser at Audi. The Rain sensor is supposed to trigger the auto headlights.
More conflicting info. I guess I could try hosing down the car in the daytime, but that will have to wait until the car gets dirty...
2007B7cabrio
11-27-2010, 12:31 PM
The auto headlights will also turn on with speeds over 100mph, atleast mine does, do not ask how I know[:D]
Forgot that the rain sensor only works in drive... guess I would have to use a sprinkler.
That's nice to know that the lights automatically come on with high speeds.
tankdeer
11-27-2010, 01:11 PM
Forgot that the rain sensor only works in drive... guess I would have to use a sprinkler.
Incorrect. Works just fine in park.
Tanner
11-27-2010, 01:16 PM
That is correct. A few years ago a squeegee kid wants to clean my relatively clean windshield downtown toronto (I hate those f*ckers) and I'm frantically gesturing him not to. I forgot the automatic wiper was turned on, so he wipes the top of the windshield and the wiper turns on, and it knocks his squeegee out of his hands and tosses it on the other side. LOL, just good thing the wiper didn't break or the kid going postal, light turns green just as he gets his squeegee and I'm gone.
tankdeer
11-27-2010, 01:18 PM
Lol. Nice. I tried it in the driveway the first time I washed the car. It was mesmerizing. [:)]
Adub-Drew
11-27-2010, 01:26 PM
Lol for those that talk about using headlights in the rain. Well for us people that have the "dipped headlights" is not good. Id rather use my DRL's than the bi-xenon's in all honest truth. Atleast they work.....
Coderedpl
11-27-2010, 02:11 PM
DRL is *ONLY* for providing a bit more visibility to oncoming drivers. It has nothing to do with the tail lights. Just amazed at the # of people here that drives around at night with their DRL - not sure why, but the instrument cluster shouldn't be lit up if the lights aren't completely on.
If you're driving in the rain and you need to see or you want better visibility, turn on the lights!!
There is a setting that will enable DRL with the tail-lights and license plate lights. I also believe that if the headlight switch is set to auto the cluster is lightly lit up but the headlight icon is not on. I'm still yet to test this more thoroughly i just remember going through short tunnels that didnt give the headlights a chance to actually turn on but when i looked at the cluster it looked like the needles and the numbers were lit up but not as bright as when the lights are on
CoDRoX
11-27-2010, 05:35 PM
Specified in the manual. All b7 with the newer ESP 8.0 has the "brake disc wiping" feature which is activated when the rain sensor is triggered. So you can't really see it but unbeknown to you, it is activated.
lol, ok, I thought you noticed additional vibration or something
You'll hear it when the little elves shut their special secret door and climb down with their box of wipes to get started on the work.
What you did there, sir, I see it.
blkb707
11-27-2010, 06:33 PM
Lol for those that talk about using headlights in the rain. Well for us people that have the "dipped headlights" is not good. Id rather use my DRL's than the bi-xenon's in all honest truth. Atleast they work.....
Just having the DRL on while it is raining won't help you in avoiding getting rear ended, just my 0.02$
tankdeer
11-28-2010, 10:14 AM
Lol for those that talk about using headlights in the rain. Well for us people that have the "dipped headlights" is not good. Id rather use my DRL's than the bi-xenon's in all honest truth. Atleast they work.....
Please look up the definition of dipped headlights before you sound even more like an idiot
Tanner
11-28-2010, 10:27 AM
LOL