Retrofit Automatic Headlights

[Pablotti]

I’ve just picked up a 2020 Ducato/Boxer-based van. Despite almost every bell and whistle, it doesn’t have auto headlights…

I’m so used to them. Is it possible to retrofit? My van has the LED DRLs

 

[fred_jb]

I had never heard of them before you started this thread.

Can they be set to be permanently on, because some countries demand dipped beams be on all the time, e.g. here in Poland? If not they would be illegal.

On vehicles fitted with an auto headlight ON facility this is normally selected on either a lighting switch or on a steering wheel stalk. If you want the headlights on permanently you just move the switch away from the AUTO position and onto the normal headlights ON position.

In my case I can override the add on auto facility I have added just by setting the headlight switch to the ON position.

 

[gus-lopez]

otally agree these auto lights are a pain, how many twats have you seen driving down the the road in the dark thinking there lights are on because the dash board lights come on straight

You are confusing 2 different systems.DRL's ,which also unfortunately light the dash also are not "auto lights".
auto lights are the actual front & rear lights that automatically come on when it becomes dark or you ennter a tunnel.

 

[PeterCarole29]

Surely they have the compatibility check for a reason. It seems like a lot of hassle if it's irrelevant, especially if their goal is to sell.

Unfortunately i can speak from experience thats not the case. Ebay sellers dont often know what they are selling

 

[Vaman]

I run with my headlights on all the time on our Ducato. Also ran that way with work van for many years, only time they got turned off was when they were serviced. As others stated, they go on and off with the ignition, simples, and I believe safer.

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[Neil S]

Both our Audi’s have them and they are a pain .
Lights often come on when not required , even a shadow of trees on a bright day activates them and I have the activation settings set at late .
This reliance on technology makes drivers lazy IMO , if your driving your mind should on the job and that includes being aware of ever changing road conditions and being proactive

 

[St3v3]

It wouldn't surprise me if you could leave your lights on permanently and put some sort of light/dark sensor as an interrupter in the wiring, not linked to the ECU etc.
As the interrupter is effectively just an off switch, how would the ECU know?

Of course I could be completely wrong, which I am often reminded of by the boss.

This would, if the van has it, trigger a bulb failure during the day.

 

[St3v3]

I run with my headlights on all the time on our Ducato.

This can look like you are flashing your lights as you go over bumps during the day. Our transit has DRL and I've had people pull out on me more than once. I routinely switch on side lights which turns off the DRL.

 

[busby]

I know they're convenient, but honestly, how much of a problem is it to turn your lights on when needed ?

Mine are on all the time on my car and van..I am sure both vehicles are invisible without.BUSBY.

 

[fred_jb]

Both our Audi’s have them and they are a pain .
Lights often come on when not required , even a shadow of trees on a bright day activates them and I have the activation settings set at late .
This reliance on technology makes drivers lazy IMO , if your driving your mind should on the job and that includes being aware of ever changing road conditions and being proactive

I am a motorcyclist as well as a camper owner, so I fully agree about being totally focused on driving/riding, so much so that I don't listen to music or take phone calls while driving or riding the bike, even though I could. However, I don't see how using useful technology aids which are not directly related to control of the vehicle will actually detract from that focus. I had auto lights on previous BMW bikes, and while riding in Europe, where using headlights in tunnels is mandatory, it is one less distraction from concentrating on the road and other traffic if your headlights switch on and off automatically. I have never experienced issues with auto lights flickering on and off on my bikes or my wife's Audi car.

However I do avoid using things like cruise control which directly interfere with control of the vehicle, except very occasionally on European autoroutes with light traffic. Traffic on UK Roads is generally far too dense to even consider giving up any control. I see many more poor, verging on dangerous, lane changes on busy roads these days which I suspect are due to people being unwilling to cancel cruise, even the radar assisted type, when it might be better to take control manually. As for using cruise to stay inside 30, 40 or 50 limits - just no! In those situations it is important to continually modulate your speed to take into account hazards and frequently varying traffic conditions, which is where you most need the subtlety of manual control.