For decades my cars had light sensors to manage the headlights or at least display a warning when the lights should be on. My 2014 CX-5 Touring does neither and I caught myself driving at night without lights on. I found a helpful automatic reminder for $15. LED lights on tiny circuit boards powered by USB ports are available (find them at Amazon, making sure you get one with a light sensor). I use a USB cord to put the light in the opening under the dashboard in front of the shifter. It's exposed to light/dark and noticeable when it turns on. With the sensor facing upward the LED lights aim downward and are not too glaring. Hope others find this helpful.
Easy "Headlights Needed" Reminder
- Thread starter Bob4dogs
- Start date
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- RDX Aspec Adv.
I just leave mine on 24/7/365. Makes the vehicle more visible in all conditions. Why worry with it?
It's a board that determines if it's light or dark in the cabin? Doesn't the windshield do that? How do you determine if the headlights are on versus just the parking lights?
My suggestion for a cleaner install would be to route the power cord between the dash and the A-pillar. If the sensor and the lights are different sides of the board, facing the LED's towards the pillar should give you enough reflected light.
Better still! Get a plastic, hollow St. Christopher statue and place the board inside that. His glowing, Saintly goodness will protect you on those dark stretches of road.
My suggestion for a cleaner install would be to route the power cord between the dash and the A-pillar. If the sensor and the lights are different sides of the board, facing the LED's towards the pillar should give you enough reflected light.
Better still! Get a plastic, hollow St. Christopher statue and place the board inside that. His glowing, Saintly goodness will protect you on those dark stretches of road.
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- San Antonio, Texas
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- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
Props for knowing the story of St. Christopher lol. I actually live up to it a bit.. except my shoulders are messed up and I could never carry anyone on them lol.
Yes, looking out the windshield tells you if it's light or dark. Thing is, after 20+ yrs. of letting auto sensors work the headlights, I don't always remember to turn them on myself. I've not grown used to the LED's popping on so they do remind me. Like the St. Christopher idea!
SomeGuyFromNYC
Member
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- '14.5 CX5 Grand Touring AWD w/ tech
Am I missing something here?
Why don't you just keep your headlights on AUTO?
Why don't you just keep your headlights on AUTO?
My thoughts exactly. I hardly ever take them out of auto. His AWD touring has auto lights, No?
Woodys2718
Member
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- 2016 CX 5 GT AWD, Tech & IActivesense
I don't / haven't used auto on any of my vehicles cause I hate having them come on in my garage during daylight hours whether it be coming or going.
No. Auto headlight was standard equipment only for 2014 CX-5 Grand Touring, not Sport or Touring.
boandlkramer
US Specs in Europe
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- '17 CX-5 GT AWD; '18 BMW X3
I've had a 2014, I just left the lights on all the time after I realized they turned off alone and didn't drain the battery.
They fixed that for 2016 with the 'auto' option.
They fixed that for 2016 with the 'auto' option.
Our 2103 Touring with Tech has auto lights not to mention AFS.
If your blind spot monitoring stops working are you going to forget to look over your shoulder or into your mirror too before you change lanes? Seems silly doesn't it.
It's pretty easy to tell if my lights are on because when they are on the dash lights go into a dim night mode. If I were to some how forget to turn on my lights at night the dash lights are so bright that they somewhat blind me. Yours should do the same.
It's pretty easy to tell if my lights are on because when they are on the dash lights go into a dim night mode. If I were to some how forget to turn on my lights at night the dash lights are so bright that they somewhat blind me. Yours should do the same.
Besides there's a constant, annoying yellow reminder light on all the time on the dash when the lights are on. Very hard to miss.
Can you tell me where on Amazon you found them? Thanks.
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Amazon lists them as: "Yitee 4pcs USB Light Keychain Super Bright with Smart Light Sensor". Mine were "Fulfilled by Amazon" at $9.99 which I don't see offered now. They come in a package of 4.
My passenger seat auto-reminder acts more like a Garmin navigator.
Found them on Amazon. Thanks.
