Jump to content

Headlights Auto Off


thedman
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hopefully this wasn't posted somewhere else. Since the owners manual for the 2013 C-Max Hybrid is very vague I was wondering if anyone knew if I left the headlights in the on position all the time (not the auto position) if they automatically go off after a certain time after I turn the vehicle off and lock it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I left them on once and noticed they were still on when I went back to the car 10 or 15 min later.  My guess is that the energy management system would shut everything off when the battery got down to a certain voltage threshold.  Like when you leave the radio on after turning the ignition off.

 

Now I just leave them on "a" (auto)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hopefully this wasn't posted somewhere else. Since the owners manual for the 2013 C-Max Hybrid is very vague I was wondering if anyone knew if I left the headlights in the on position all the time (not the auto position) if they automatically go off after a certain time after I turn the vehicle off and lock it.

 

They are supposed to go off automatically to save the 12V battery.  And, like Adrian, I just leave the switch in auto position.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder if the 2013 has different headlight functionality than the 2015.

 

On the 2015 SE, when the headlight knob is turned to the [ETA: second from the right click], for the headlights to be 'on', my headlights turn off as soon as the car is turned off, but the parking lights stay on. The parking lights turn off once I lock the car.

Edited by Red
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder if the 2013 has different headlight functionality than the 2015.

 

On the 2015 SE, when the headlight knob is turned to the left, for the headlights to be 'on', my headlights turn off as soon as the car is turned off, but the parking lights stay on. The parking lights turn off once I lock the car.

On my 2014 Energi, the parking lights come on any time the doors are open at night. They shut off when I close the doors. I believe the "auto light" feature is selectable (how long the lights stay on after turning off the car).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would like to add my experience in my SE with headlights on. I cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at Annapolis once in a while. The SHA now requires that headlights be on when crossing. I didn't know if mine were on during the daytime on the AUTO setting, so I turned them ON, crossed the bridge, parked the car, went to a meeting all day, and came out to find that they had stayed on for six hours (according to the lot attendant who watched the whole event unfold), until the battery went stone dead. It was my first opportunity to use the FORD roadside assistance, as I'd always been a AAA member before, and they were there quickly and jumped my car in two seconds. 

 

My advice is to only use AUTO for your headlights! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

. I didn't know if mine were on during the daytime on the AUTO setting, so I turned them ON, crossed the bridge, parked the car, went to a meeting all day, and came out to find that they had stayed on for six hours (according to the lot attendant who watched the whole event unfold), until the battery went stone dead. 

 

My advice is to only use AUTO for your headlights! 

 

That's annoying. 

 

It seems that either the functionality changed for the 2015's, or I just have Cmax that acts differently from some others.

 

I did a re-test by parking (in broad daylight) to face into the windows of my workplace so I could see my headlights in the window reflection.

 

With the car on, I turned the headlights to "on" (single headlamp icon with straight lines out of it), I saw the headlights light up in the window reflection. As soon as I turned off the car (before I even took out the key) the headlights turned off. When I opened the door, no warning chime sounded.

 

I don't know what the double headlights with eyelashes mean?  When I had it to that setting, I didn't see my headlights turn on, but when I opened the door, I then heard a warning chime.

Edited by Red
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's annoying. 

 

It seems that either the functionality changed for the 2015's, or I just have Cmax that acts differently from some others.

 

I did a re-test by parking (in broad daylight) to face into the windows of my workplace so I could see my headlights in the window reflection.

 

With the car on, I turned the headlights to "on" (single headlamp icon with straight lines out of it), I saw the headlights light up in the window reflection. As soon as I turned off the car (before I even took out the key) the headlights turned off. When I opened the door, no warning chime sounded.

 

I don't know what the double headlights with eyelashes mean?  When I had it to that setting, I didn't see my headlights turn on, but when I opened the door, I then heard a warning chime.

 

If I understand correctly, you are talking about the parking lights (double headlights with eyelashes). The switch positions are Off, Parking Lights, On, and (if equipped) Automatic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Yesterday was drizzly and dark all day and most people had their headlights on.  My C-max headlights were set to "auto", but the lights did not come on.  Someone flashed their lights at me so, for the first time, I turned my headlights to "on".  Today I came out to start the car and it was stone dead.  It was so dead it would not allow the auxilliary socket in the console to be used to charge the battery with my Stanley SimpleStart.  So I had to open the hood and use a standard plug-in battery charger.  An hour later it was still taking 7 amps charging current, but it started right up.

 

My hard-learned lesson is that, in at least some 2013s, headlights never go off when set to "ON".  However auxilliary socket does turn off, and won't connect again if 12V battery is too low.

 

Perhaps this is controled by module firmware; I may test it again after recall 15E03 "powertrain control module reprogramming" next week (though I would think Body module would be the one controling headlight behavior).

Edited by djc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Strange or coincidence.

 

I've left our 13 auto headlights on several times, no problems

We've had 1 dead battery after 2 years and 30+K miles.

I figure it was caused by a poorly maintained (me, I never charged it) and poorly designed charging system. Our dealer replaced it.

I've charged the new one a few times. Takes longer to take a charge than any other car we've owned.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yesterday was drizzly and dark all day and most people had their headlights on.  My C-max headlights were set to "auto", but the lights did not come on.  Someone flashed their lights at me so, for the first time, I turned my headlights to "on".  Today I came out to start the car and it was stone dead.  It was so dead it would not allow the auxilliary socket in the console to be used to charge the battery with my Stanley SimpleStart.  So I had to open the hood and use a standard plug-in battery charger.  An hour later it was still taking 7 amps charging current, but it started right up.

 

My hard-learned lesson is that, in at least some 2013s, headlights never go off when set to "ON".  However auxilliary socket does turn off, and won't connect again if 12V battery is too low.

 

Perhaps this is controled by module firmware; I may test it again after recall 15E03 "powertrain control module reprogramming" next week (though I would think Body module would be the one controling headlight behavior).

Do you have a setting for turning on the lights when the wipers run? I'm not sure about the 2013 menus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My 2013 has the Lights on with wipers setting. However the lights only come on with the wiper turned to low or high setting. The lights do not come on if the wipers are left in the rain sensing mode. Even if the rain is coming down in sheets and the sensing wipers are wiping like crazy.

It may work differently if you have intermittent wipers as opposed to the rain sensing.

Edited by MichaelM
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Use a hat.

 

We had this discussion in 2013 over DRLs. In "auto" mode, if you cover the sensor at the base of the windshield, the headlights come on. I keep a hat in the car, so I just throw it over the sensor when I want headlights on in daytime. No issues with them staying on, and it fixes the auto wipers-with-no-lights.

 

Frank

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...