Most cars made in the last 10 years have an 'auto' setting that causes the headlights to come on when the car is started. Newer cars have sensors that turn on the running lights when it's normal conditions and the headlights when visibility is low.

Think it's the law here.

At least there's signs on the highway telling you to turn on headlights when raining.

It is the law in Minnesota. In rainy, foggy or even just cloudy weather (I think) at least the first two, you must turn on your lights. It always amazes me how many don't.

My '99 Buick turns them on when I start up and off about a minute or so after I get out. Would hope most newer cars do that too.

My running lights come on as soon as I start the engine, but if it's raining, foggy, or at all dim I manually turn on my headlights. So often I see cars under these conditions with no lights on at all. I've been known to flick my lights at them, but either they don't get the message or they're just stubborn.

"I flash mine so they will turn theirs on but most don't bother. "

Flashing your lights here means there is a speed trap ahead.
No one would bother turning on their lights...

This is one of my pet peeves. People seem to think that since they can see, we can all see them. Where's the common sense?
Flashing your hi beams means a speed trap.
Flashing your lights on and off means turn yours on.

Pet peeve of mine too. It's the law here...wipers on - lights on but apparently not readily enforced. It seems that smaller silver cars are the major scofflaws.

I put my lights on every time I drive. Makes peple think I have those expensive "daytime running lights."

I usually turn my lights on anytime I am driving as well, it seems that some people pay the electric company for turning on the lights.

Turning your lights on twice around here indicates that there's a cop ahead - don't go for high beams, but probably would if headlights were on automatically.

I usually turn mine on when visibility is diminished.

ole joyful

Those "daytime running lights" have been standard equipment for over 10 years. My car is a 1997, and it came with, as std equipment, running lights that are on when the engine is turned on. Same with DH's '97 Buick.

I have a 2006 Honda, and they do not have automatic lights that turn on. I guess the idea back then didn't last long. I don't have running lights either.

My 2003 Mountaineer does NOT have daytime running lights...

I have the day time lamps - but I have found sometimes I think they are on - bu they aren't. It is bright enough out that the sensor doesn't turn them on - but it is foggy enough that they should be on for others to see me.

I wish I had some sort of indicator light on my dash that said they were on.

I try to remember to turn them on manually in foggy-but-bright situations, but it is easy to forget at first. I, for one, would appreciate a friendly "flash" to remind me to turn them on.

And while you're at it, please clean the snow and ice off or your vehicle before you drive it. I don't care if you drive a tall SUV and can't easily reach the top - it still needs to be cleared off.

I don't turn my lights on unless it's getting dark (or bad visibility) and I don't use my turn signals unless there's some one is within a block that needs to know I'm turning.

Ya ever tried to replace those puppies? Less use means less replacement. Ya need a Phillips head, a straight head and two different metric heads to take the bumper off, the grill off, one side of the hood needs loosened, take the spare tire out, the lense off,....THEN you can replace the bulb which you have to take back to NAPA because it's the wrong one. Okay, perhaps a bit embellished - I think all cars are metric now.

One year, my New Year's Resolution was to use my turn signals even if no one is watching, stop on the yellow light if one can do so safely, drive the speed limit that is posted - not what you think it should be and paint the kitchen.

I did paint the kitchen.

It is becoming law in many ststes that if it is appropriate to use the windshield wipers, the headlamps are to be lighted also. This became law in Wisconsin not very many years ago. Also, law in Wisconsin is headlamps on 30 minutes before sunset.

Daytime running lights are not enough. Most pileups in bad weather occur because a driver did not see the vehicle in front of them. So turning all lights on in bad weather is good practice.

Running lights are good technology but like other automotive technologies that make things easier also tend to make drivers dependent on the technology instead of common sense and driving skills.

The easier cars become to drive the worse the drivers. Now they have a system to watch your blind spot for you. Problem is that does NOT mean not looking before changing lanes. When automatic seat belts came out people didn't bother buckling the lap portion. Niceties like self parking cars and rear view cameras take away more driving skills. A child could drive a car today. Not good. Needing skills keeps drivers alert and better drivers in general.

In New York there's a law, if you turn on your windshield wipers, you must turn on your headlights also.

Ditto in MD, also note that if your headlights come on when you start your car, it does not necessarily mean your tail lights will turn on also!

I often drive DM and DB over our family farm, on private land, in the middle of nowhere and no one else in sight and I always use my blinkers to signal a turn despite my brother's teasing! Just habit.. At least it is a good habit.

roco0101 - You must have seen the manual for a Chevy Malibu for changing out the headlamp. It does read that way including taking off part of the bumper. However, I found on a automotive chat site that the smarter people have found an easier way to do this job. Pressing a couple of tabs down allows the headlamp assembly to slide out without all disassembling the car.

I replaced a headlight once on a Nissan Sentra. It wasn't very involved. I think I had to move one thing to get in there and that was it. I'm hoping when the day comes, it's not much more involved to replace one in my current vehicle.