As far as I can see, the daytime running lights on our new Mazda CX5 Maxx Sport will not operate on the Auto headlight setting. They will only operate by manually switching them on and then once you stop, the running lights stay on and an alert sounds that you have left the lights on. I've looked at settings and I cannot see how it can be altered. Why would daytime running lights not operate on the Auto setting? Given how many cars I see with daytime running lights on, I suspect they do come on in most cars when the control is set to Auto headlights.

 

Day time running lights are not controlled by any switch.

They work under the following conditions, the parklights/headlights are off, the handbrake is off and the vehicle is moving.

As long as light levels are high enough not to trigger auto lights, DRL's will operate. Unless someone is standing in front of the vehicle to see you driving, you can't normally tell they are on. They aren't very bright & not designed to illuminate the road.

Hope this helps.

 

That's great grim_reaper. Thanks. Of course we will test it out. I did test with the car in D, the seat belt on and handbrake off. I wonder if it means they go off when stationary on the road, something that happens rather too often.