lights...what setting to use?

[henryb]

This may sound stupid but my owners manual does not really cover this. (2012 Genesis 3.8) When I have light switch set off I see I have lights on that look like halogens a little yellowish ...they are on all the time any time when light switch off (car on of course)
When I set switch to AUTO the lights I see on during the day are not the same lights as I see when light switch off. They look like HID lamps .

What should I have the setting on during the day ? Should I just leave on auto all the time?

Why are the day time running lamps different when setting switch off versus auto??? Thanks.

 

[Mark_888]

I don't know the answer to all you questions, but the vast majority of people leave the lights on AUTO. Sometimes, if it is raining and the lights are off, I turn them ON manually (most state laws require that lights be on if your wipers are on). I never shut the lights to OFF.

 

[henryb]

Thanks Mark. I need to experiment some more to figure this out....till then I will just keep on auto. Maybe when they are set to off (engine running) and I put car in park and walk to front of car and see lamps on.....perhaps these only come on when car in park.....gonna check it out some more. I just like to control what is on or off

 

[Mark_888]

I just like to control what is on or off

The problem is that, due to human error, at some point a lot of cars will be driving at dusk (or even later) with their lights off, and people will get injured or killed. You will get used to letting the AUTO function make sure that you are not driving around without lights when you should be.

 

[PMCErnie]

Just park in front of a glass storefront to view your lamp settings. Check out your rear bulbs periodically that way too.

 

[henryb]

Funny you should say that. I have done that but reached no decisive conclusion. Am going to do that again during daylight hours and then again at night and see if I can finally understand what my lights are doing....and what is what. I know you must think I am nutty.....it just seems that if I turn lights to off they should all be off yet these halogens are on and in the dash there is no indication shown that I have lights on......weird. I am not first owner....perhaps a modification. I don't think there is a problem....other than me!

 

[Mark_888]

Funny you should say that. I have done that but reached no decisive conclusion. Am going to do that again during daylight hours and then again at night and see if I can finally understand what my lights are doing....and what is what. I know you must think I am nutty.....it just seems that if I turn lights to off they should all be off yet these halogens are on and in the dash there is no indication shown that I have lights on......weird. I am not first owner....perhaps a modification. I don't think there is a problem....other than me!

If it is night time, and the ignition is on, the car should not allow all lights to be off. At least the parking lights should be on. That is the purpose of automatic lights (to save lives).