Auto Headlights

I have posted before about the fact that my 07 Sonata headlights do not come
on early enough when it gets dark. I will often turn them on myself when I
think about it. The other day a local Smokey followed me into a shopping
center parking lot to tell me that I should turn my headlights on. He was
polite but I told him that I had auto headlights and that they will
eventually come on. He said I should get them fixed, I thanked him and he
drove off. I think that I recall HyundaiTech saying that they are not
adjustable. I am seriously considering putting some black tape over the
sensor to see if it helps make them turn on sooner. Has anyone else had
this problem and what if anything did you do?

--

 

I agree, they often come on later than I'd do myself, or later than my
GM cars.

Black tape though will keep them on all the time unless you can block
just a portion of the sensor. Ideal would be a translucent gray
material that just darkened a smidgen.

I do like the fact they are quick to come on when entering a tunnel or
under a long bridge. I do not, however, like them coming on, then
off, then on, then off as you go along a road with a lot of trees.
There are times they go one or off every 15 to 20 seconds as the light
changes. This is more in early morning than at dusk. They need to do
a little work on the sensors and a delay before they go off again.

It world also be simple to have them go on whenever the wipers are
turned on also. Many (most? all?) states require that headlights be
on when wipers are on.

 

I tried the black tape on my 07 Santa Fe, but I could notice no difference.

Jim (Drives with lights on all the time now).

 

You could try some tint over the sensor to see what happens.
Unfortunately, this could also affect the automatic climate control
system.

Another option is to just leave your headlamps on at all times. Removing
the key and opening the driver's door will cause the lamps to go out.

 

My 2006 Sonata is very accurate with the headlights, but my 2007 Entourage
is the exact opposite. The headlights come on if a cloud passes overhead.
And they don't "click" like the Sonata does. There are times on one of the
highways around here with multiple over passes that on a bright, sunny day,
my headlights probably come on a dozen times before I realize it.

Eric

 

Thanks hyundaitech,
That's a good idea, I will try a piece of tint film. I don't have the auto
control system.

 

I had this old Polara that had a device on the dash call a manual headlight
switch. When the sensor in my brain detected a low light situation it
activated a robotic like device called "my arm and hand" which operated said
switch with a grasp and draw type motion- all of which resulted in the
energizing of the H/L circuit causing an greatly increased illumination
scenario. Kind of high tech, but it worked. I think current cars can be
retrofitted with a similar functionality as long as a working sensor can be
obtained. <grin>

 

Don't be foolish. I had such a system and it was downright dangerous. I
was driving on the turnpike and went into a dark tunnel. Suddenly dark, I
had to stop shaving and I spilled hot coffee in my crotch trying to get the
lights on and even lost my page in the magazine I was reading. Auto
headlights is a life saving device.

 

Fortunately, you weren't wearing your seat belt at the time so you were able
to minimize your burns by being able to move in your seat, to get off the
puddle of hot coffee. Imagine what would have happened if you'd been
restrained in that seat!

 

After I read what Darby OGill posted I couldn't wait to scroll down to
read the responses. I knew I won't be disapointed. You guys are a
riot! Anyway I stick to what hyundaitech advised & leave my headlight
on always.
The only problem is don't forget to open the driver's door & remove
the key from ignition. Once I had forgotten to roll up a window &
opened the passenger door to turn on the ignition & roll the window. I
found out the next morning that the parking light stayed on the whole
night since I didn't open the driver's door after removing the key. I
ended up having to jump start the car

 

Bruised my steering knee jumping though