Hi,

I have a 2024 CX-5. We often are in states that require that the headlights be turned when the wipers are turned on. I always have my wipers set to auto which works pretty well. Is there a way to set up the headlights to automatically turn on when the wipers come on or are turned on. I get totally confused by the headlight switch when it is raining and I am trying to drive safely so I can't tell if the headlights are on or just the running lights.

Thanks for your help!!

 

The daytime running lights are always on when you drive anyways, so I'd just leave it on auto.

 

The law requires the headlights in Florida ,state troopers know the difference between head lights a daylight driving lights. They do love to have a legitimate reason to pull u over .

The auto head light setting works in diminishing daylight or other bad weather not always because it rains or snows so you need to make a conscious effort to remember turn your headlights on when required.

For rain activation set to auto activate with wipers go to your *owners manual and you should find the guide you want .* For most it is simply as per most :

Universal Mazda procedure not all Model or year Mazdas
* Mazda can be adjusted so the headlights automatically turn on when the wipers are activated by setting the light switch to the AUTO position and operating the wipers at low or high speed for several seconds.

 

Unless the OP has it set up differently, the headlights are on with the DRL signature lighting all the time in the US. That a common question on the forum as folks want JUST the DRL portion activated as it is in other parts of the world (there is a method to do this). Unless they did something different from 22 on with the revised lights?

 

DRLs are different from Head lights..

It is the Headlights the OP is asking about and their activation that the OP wants.
In a nut shell read below then re-read the first [posting from the OP
Mazda DRLs do use different bulbs than the standard headlights. The DRLs are typically high beam bulbs that operate at about 7 volts, while standard headlights use halogen bulbs that run at higher voltage. This means that the DRLs are designed to function at a lower intensity compared to the headlights,


BTW the OP resides in Florida so what other countries do is meaningless....to answer or help the member with his question.

 

As we know the CX-5 has sperate bulbs for the DRL's and Headlamps.

DRL's are not all the same luminosity, and in some vehicles, they actually function as the low beam headlight.
I decided to do some further research and DRL's are acceptable for some states that have daytime headlight laws.
The only way to be absolutely certain about your state is to ask and get a written response from your state DMV for proof that you asked.
Or you could be a test case and if you can prove your DRL luminosity is equal to or greater than another vehicles headlamp luminosity and you got fined you'd likely win your case.

That said it's probably easier, and definitely much cheaper, for any driver in states that require it, to take that "very difficult, time consuming, muscle energy depleting movement" and turn your headlight switch to on as needed.

 

the headlight indicator light is at the bottom of the gauge display off to the right ---green and small -- actually not easy to see and IMO poorly positioned - this is the only way to know if your headlights + running lights are on

 

Before I sold my 2016 CX-5 ( auto wipers and auto headlights) I had the headlights switched to on all the time. When I turned the car off & opened the drivers door the lights turned off. I assume the KF is the same as the KE.