[onetwo]

Never noticed that 'auto' headlights were a frigging option on the sheet (thought they were standard) until after I took delivery of my custom ordered Transit or I would have got them.

Totally annoying that I have to manually adjust my lights.

Auto lights should be standard on all vehicles as I enjoy on my Hondas

Anyway, is there an 'easy' way to add them?

Sent from my Passport

 

[joefromga]

I agree every car should have them and push button start. What an antiquated way of doing things.

You'd have to relay the light switch to the ignition and leave the light switch on. You could also use the accessory circuit to run it and have 15 minutes turn off delay but that is a good bit of time and it would turn on everytime someone opens a door or hits the remote button.

This is assuming the computer doesn't use the switch itself to ding the reminder chime. Otherwise you'd have to wire a go around so it didn't know the switch position as well.

 

[RandomJoe]

Having options is good. I specifically did NOT want them.

My S10 will automatically switch the headlights on, never thought much about it and was a bit surprised when I found that wasn't "standard" now. Was going to get the auto option this time but started thinking more about my use cases. One specific reason for getting this van is to go camping and I would very much like the ability to start the engine - maybe even move the vehicle around - WITHOUT the headlights coming on. Being nice to those around me.

Never saw a point to the automatic hi/low beam portion, but then I'm just weird in that respect. I almost never use high beams anyway.

I do understand the frustration if you assumed it was standard then didn't get it. The thing that blew my mind was that cruise control isn't a standard option. Fortunately I did notice beforehand with the company van I got last year and specified it, I'd go mad if I didn't have cruise.

 

[hammerdown]

I agree it should be standard. I also didn't notice it was an option. Now my vans fully loaded, except for the auto lights. What's really annoying is that even when the lights are off, some of the instrumentation is lit up, which makes me easily forget that my FULL lighting system is not on. Dangerous.

I'm constantly alerting/mocking/muttering at drivers who only have drl's on at night, and now sometimes, I'm one of them.

 

[Budsky]

I too do not want headlights to come on automatically- as RandomJoe said it is very rude in a campground for instance to light up someone else's campsite because you need to move the car 2 ft.

Even worse is auto off- we had a 2003 Honda Pilot- one night I needed the headlights on but wanted the car off- couldn't do it, and did not want to leave the keys in the car running while I was 50 ft away looking at something. Auto off in 10 minutes maybe would be ok- that dang Honda would turn them off in 20 seconds.

Now if the vehicle in question was programmable to whatever the owner liked that would be great. I like how the Transit remote locks and unlocks without a beep or even worse a horn blow. Our Toyota requires a trip to the dealer to turn off the **** beep when locking or unlocking.

 

[Byron the Painter]

Ah, yes...tricky, tricky. The "Autolamp with rain sensing wipers" is stand alone option 18B. It's on page 5 of the Major Product Features list.

The very first line on Exterior Options...I actually saw it, but also assumed that Autolamp was standard and the rain sensing part was the additional goody.

I have it on my F-150, but not on my work van...oh well, no big deal.

 

[yelnam]

With the Autolamp option for headlights, isn't there still a way to manually select on or off? I.e. When driving into a campground can you switch from auto to off?

 

[foxharp]

if you _don't_ have Autolamp , is there a chime to tell you you've left the lights on?

 

[orton]

I have never been exhausted from the effort to turn my lights on/off at the exact time I need them on/off.

 

[RandomJoe]

With the Autolamp option for headlights, isn't there still a way to manually select on or off? I.e. When driving into a campground can you switch from auto to off?

The only vehicle I've driven with it is my S10, the only way to keep the headlights from coming on automatically is to have the parking brake on when starting the engine. Once they're on I can't turn them off.

However I mentioned this to my boss at work, his '13 F150 has an extra setting on the headlight dial - Off / On / Auto - and I just checked the '15 Transit manual. Sure enough, it has the same options.

Guess I should have read the manual before ordering! :laugh: I'd consider that option now, knowing that. Though the feature I'm most interested in is the rain-sensing wipers - constantly adjusting the delay interval in light mist drives me nutz far more than dealing with headlights!

 

[foxharp]

... his '13 F150 has an extra setting on the headlight dial - Off / On / Auto - and I just checked the '15 Transit manual. Sure enough, it has the same options.

so does this mean that all the worries about not being able to move the van without the lights coming on are groundless? that would be the main reason not to get autolamps, for me.

as for the wipers: do rain sensing wipers really work? i've never been in a car that's had them. (and, more particularly, does the ford system work? because that's the one that matters. ;-)

paul

 

[skagitstan]

I have the autolights/rain sense option. I ordered it specifically for the autolights
Yes, you can manually set the headlights.
I like the rain sense much more than I thought I would. I've got it set to close to the least sensitive position, and it comes real close to giving a wipe just about when I would have done it with manual wipers.

Stan

 

[foxharp]

I have the autolights/rain sense option. I ordered it specifically for the autolights
Yes, you can manually set the headlights.
I like the rain sense much more than I thought I would. I've got it set to close to the least sensitive position, and it comes real close to giving a wipe just about when I would have done it with manual wipers.

hmmm. sounds nice. wonder if it's too late to add that to my build...

paul

 

[alarmist]

Hope not. It's one of my favorite modern conveniences.

 

[wgc]

Foxharp- I went through this, adding on after order, if you don't have a VIN number you should be able to do it. If you have a VIN number good luck. I tried after I had a VIN number and told it would not happen. However CVM stated the he knew someone that did. I'd call Ford Customer Relation Center and see if they can help. My dealer was worthless maybe yours is better. It's worth a shot.

 

[RandomJoe]

so does this mean that all the worries about not being able to move the van without the lights coming on are groundless? that would be the main reason not to get autolamps, for me.

Yep, that eliminates my concern with it. Bit of a "duh" moment for me - really should have read the manual beforehand! Just emailed my salesman to see if it can be added to mine - I'm right at a month since ordering so not sure if I have a VIN yet.

as for the wipers: do rain sensing wipers really work? i've never been in a car that's had them. (and, more particularly, does the ford system work? because that's the one that matters. ;-)

I've never had rain-sensing wipers, but I've long dreamed of them! I fiddle with electronic circuits as a hobby and often contemplated what I could use to make my own version. I'm hoping they do work well, if I can get them added to my order!

 

[skagitstan]

I designed exactly that for my Vanagon back in the '80s.
Used a modulated LED and photodiode detector/PLL circuit to detect variation in internal reflection of the windshield to pulse the wipers.

All analog electronics!!!!:nerd:

 

[foxharp]

well, that answers that!

right after talking to my dealer (who told me he'd check if the option could be added, and get back to me tomorrow), i did Yet Another Check at ETIS for vehicle status (i've had a VIN for a while).

they claim our build date is today! the window sticker's finally available too. woohoo! (order went into the system on november 2nd, so 9 weeks ago)

guess i'll have to dig through my photodiodes and see what i've got... ;-)

paul

 

[Damien89]

With the Autolamp option for headlights, isn't there still a way to manually select on or off? I.e. When driving into a campground can you switch from auto to off?

On my european transit yes, the toggle switch has, off, side lamps, dim lamps, auto lamps.
I assume us version would be the same.

 

[Damien89]

if you _don't_ have Autolamp , is there a chime to tell you you've left the lights on?

On my european transit yes there is a chime