Auto Headlights

[organist]

Dear All,

Model: C3 1.4 16v HDi Exclusive

Whilst I was at my freindly Citroen Dealer, (yes, our dealer in Southampton IS good and knowlegeable) the other day, finding out about the speedometer changeover between miles and kilometers (see post) he also explained how to get the headlights to switch on automatically without having to remeber. What you have to do is:

1 Turn ignition key to ACCESSORIES position,
2. Press button on END of lighting/indicator stalk until you hear a confirmation noise ('bong!')
3. That's it...... the lights DO come on automatically but ONLY when the engine is running. I drove through a small tunnel under the M3 yesterday and the lights came on and went off automatically.

I would imagine that the function is only available to modles fitted with the rain-sensitive screen wipe system, assuming that the sensor is shared with it, mounted on the windscreen.

[AlanFC]

Sounds pretty cool but I always drive with my headlights on come rain or shine, night (obviously) and day.

The road is full of distracted drivers and anything I can do to make myself stand out gets my vote. (and its free).

Regards,

AlanFC

[mooseshaver]

Was told about a guy who had auto headlights on his Lexus. He drove under a bridge, the lights came on, a car waiting at a junction saw the lights come on, and pulled in front of the lexus thinking he was being signalled to do so.

[organist]

Dear C3 Friends,

I think that the safety aspect of this feature far outways the negligable risk outlined by mooseshaver - How many drivers have you seen driving around with no lights on because they have forgotten to switch them on? - especially in town!

Richard the organist

[Tony_T]

I have to agree with you on that one organist, wish our C3 had it, like you say the amount of folk that drive without lights till its pitch black are many.

I wonder whats actually missing on the 16 Hdi 16v to enable it, if possible that is, I've a friend in a running club who's going to make some enquiries, theres a member who is a citroen mechanic.

You dont know if you dont ask, shot to nothing eh.

[danielsydney]

I like the automatic light feature but i find with my car it tends to eat through globes like its going out of style...

[Igloo_Vindaloo]

[quote] I like the automatic light feature but i find with my car it tends to eat through globes like its going out of style...[/quote]

So, it's not really [i]free[/i] - also the power's got to come from somewhere - your fuel tank!

I've noticed that the only part of the bonnet thats warm after driving at night is the part over the headlamps. Says something for the efficiency of the HDi engine (and the inefficiency of the lamps).

Tim

[organist]

The HDI 92 engine is the most efficent engine in its class. Just five years ago, anyone who thought it possible to squeeze 92 horsepower out of a 1.4 litre diesel engine would be branded a liar (much like the present Prime Minister, I fear!) :)

Any vehicle which can do in excess of 70 mpg (if driven carefully) and nearly 120 mph (when not driven so carefully!!) seems pretty efficient to me.

Conventional Headlights are very inefficient, as anyone who has driven a car fitted with Hid lamps will testify. Our 3.2 Gsi Vauxhall Vectra has such headlamps. They consume less than 35 watts each and give a light output of about 2/1-2 to 3 times that of a conventional 'bulb'. The colour temperature is approching that of daylight also, which makes driving at night a totally different experience. You can buy 'blue' type conventional headlight bulbs, but these are miserable in comparison, and are usually only fitted by idiots who can't afford a proper Hid setup.

[stimulator]

[quote name='mooseshaver' date='May 13 2003, 08:58 PM'] Was told about a guy who had auto headlights on his Lexus. He drove under a bridge, the lights came on, a car waiting at a junction saw the lights come on, and pulled in front of the lexus thinking he was being signalled to do so. [/quote]
There is a delay on the C3 autolights that take the going under bridges effect out of the equation. The autolights are excellent and coupled with the auto wipers are a good extra.

[Igloo_Vindaloo]

[quote]Conventional Headlights are very inefficient, as anyone who has driven a car fitted with Hid lamps will testify. Our 3.2 Gsi Vauxhall Vectra has such headlamps. They consume less than 35 watts each and give a light output of about 2/1-2 to 3 times that of a conventional 'bulb'. The colour temperature is approching that of daylight also, which makes driving at night a totally different experience. You can buy 'blue' type conventional headlight bulbs, but these are miserable in comparison, and are usually only fitted by idiots who can't afford a proper Hid setup.[/quote]

Personally, I find these bright bluish lights very distracting (on other peoples' cars!). Not only when they hit you square on and dazzle you (which fortunately doesn't happen very often), but even when viewed from oblique angles. I've no idea why that should be, other than the fact that they're just brighter.

I find the standard lamps on the C3 to be quite powerful enough for me (albeit inefficient). But, then again, I don't mind driving at night. Maybe brighter lights would help some people who find it a problem...?

Tim

[organist]

A genuine Hid discharge headlight setup HAS to be fitted with an automatic washer system (to minimise glare when the lenses are dirty) and a self-levelling system to go some way to avoid the lights being too high when going up hills. They are absolutely blinding if you do get a face full of these on a dark country lane. There are aftermarket Hid systems available but unless they are also fitted with the above washer and self-levelling systems, they are totally illegal!

Of couse, when you are behind the wheel of a set of these, YOU can see perfectly!

In a recent auto express test, the 'blue' bulbs that you can get for headlights to look like an HiD system (they don't) cause a great deal of glare to oncoming motorists. They are absolutely useless for seeing where you are going also!

[markleigh]

Just tried it. It's great - very sensitive too.

[tys]

I'm going to try the auto light feature. I often forget to turn on my lights at night since the instruments and dials all light up on their own. (In my old car, you had to turn on the lights to light up the speedometer, etc.)
If I use auto mode do the lights turn themselves off when I switch off the car?

tys

[CE08LDB]

Yes they do turn off as soon as you turn off the engine