Auto lights and wipers

[AlexRWD]

Got these on our GTI, which had for just over a week now, and have to say, I'm not impressed - what do other people think?

The auto lights have been coming on in bright sunshine when you get a hint of a shadow, which just makes you look like a prat - think I can manage to turn them on myself when necessary, rather than having them come on when not needed.

And the wipers seem to wait quite a while to get going, then go mad, faster than you need, and still often leave a screen full of rain drops.

2 options I would not choose again.   

[illyun]

They aren't options as far as I am aware - they are a standard feature of the car... but what you say worries me because I am picking up my Mk5 GTI next week -  - but am always really suspicous of features like that, that take away control from the driver and hand it to a computer with results like the one you are seeing... Still, I haven't heard many - only 1 other - complaints about it so maybe there is something wrong with the settings on yours because lights coming on in bright sunlight does NOT sound right.

[adw555]

..have to say I quite like them both, and had no problems....always have the auto lights on now...drove a car without them lasty week and wondered why the lights werent on..

anyway, if you dont like them...both can be turned off, and just use manual mode...which is good :-)

[AlexRWD]

I quite like it when the lights come on in tunnels, and car parks, but driving along A27 today, quite a few instances where the lights came on - guys in front must think you are flashing them!

As you say, answer is to turn them off.

[lowdown]

As mentioned by illyun they aren't an option on the Gti (£195 Luxury pack 1 on other models)

I have had my car for 1 week and the rain sensor wipers have behaved impeccably, in, drizzle, rain, heavy rain, sleet and hail. (I must have the right type of precipitation round here, and s**te weather!)  There is a sensitivity selector on the top of the stalk.  Mine is currently set fully left (lowest sensitivity)

I haven't fully evaluated the AHC yet.  All I know is:
Auto lights is Automatic headlight control.  The criteria for switching them on is based on two factors: low light level or speed above 140km/hr (87mph).  The criteria for switching them off is a return to normal light levels or speed dropping below 65km/hr (40 mph) for several minutes.

VW make the Warning statement on page 46 of booklet 3.1
"Never drive with just side lights on.  Risk of accident.  The side lights are not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead and to ensure that other road users are able to see you.  Always use dipped headlights if it is dark or if visibility is poor."

it goes on to state:

"If "automatic headlight control" is switched on, the dipped headlights Will not be switched on in fog.  You will have to switch on the dipped headlights using the light switch.  The driver is personally responsible for the correct use of lights in all situations.  "Auto headlight control" is merely a system to support the driver.  In certain situations you will have to switch on the dipped headlights manually using the light switch."

So, if it's dim or your doing 87mph+ they come on.  VW obviously feel that the only lights suitable for driving are dipped headlights.  I actually expected auto lights to come on in 2 stages, side when dim, then dipped when it gets a bit darker.

[AlexRWD]

As mentioned by illyun they aren't an option on the Gti (£195 Luxury pack 1 on other models)

I have had my car for 1 week and the rain sensor wipers have behaved impeccably, in, drizzle, rain, heavy rain, sleet and hail. (I must have the right type of precipitation round here, and s**te weather!)  There is a sensitivity selector on the top of the stalk.  Mine is currently set fully left (lowest sensitivity)

Ta 

- does your owners manual have the same mistake as ours for the wiper control - mine says something like "move switch to right for highest sensitivity and to the right for lowest sensitivity" 

[EdMass]

Hi AlexRWD.

Mine does! I wonder who proof read the manual - Stevie Wonder!

[VWmaindealer]

As mentioned by illyun they aren't an option on the Gti (£195 Luxury pack 1 on other models)

I have had my car for 1 week and the rain sensor wipers have behaved impeccably, in, drizzle, rain, heavy rain, sleet and hail. (I must have the right type of precipitation round here, and s**te weather!)  There is a sensitivity selector on the top of the stalk.  Mine is currently set fully left (lowest sensitivity)

Ta 

- does your owners manual have the same mistake as ours for the wiper control - mine says something like "move switch to right for highest sensitivity and to the right for lowest sensitivity" 

I think this is down to the fact that they operate on a light sensor rather than a visability sensor. Usually it's light when foggy. I've had a couple of instances with auto lights causing problems. If you think that they are not behavind correctly, your dealer can adjust the sensitivity for you.

VWmd