When Driving; Switches and Controls- Page 168

4–42

When Driving

Switches and Controls

  Auto-light  control

    When the headlight switch is in the 

 position and the ignition is switched ON, the light 

sensor senses the surrounding lightness or darkness and automatically turns the headlights, 
other exterior lights and dashboard illumination on or off (see chart above).

CAUTION

¾

  Do not shade the light sensor by adhering a sticker or a label on the windshield. Otherwise 

the light sensor will not operate correctly.

¾

  The light sensor also works as a rain sensor for the auto-wiper control. Keep hands and 

scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the 

 position and the 

ignition is switched ON as fi ngers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades could be 
damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are going to clean the windshield, 
be sure the wipers are turned off  completely when it is particularly tempting to leave the 
engine running. This is particularly important when clearing ice and snow. 

   NOTE

y

  The headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard illumination may not turn off 

immediately even if the surrounding area becomes well-lit because the light sensor 
determines that it is night time if the surrounding area is continuously dark for several 
minutes such as inside long tunnels, traffi c jams inside tunnels, or in indoor parking lots.

  In this case, the lights turn off if the light switch is turned to the 

 position.

y

 (Without auto headlight off function) 

  When the headlight switch is in the 

 position and the ignition is switched to ACC or 

the ignition is switched off, the headlights, other exterior lights and dashboard 
illumination will turn off.

y

  The dashboard illumination can be adjusted by rotating the knob in the instrument cluster. 

Also, the day/night mode can be changed by rotating the knob until a beep sound is heard. 
To adjust the brightness of the dashboard illumination:

  Refer to Dashboard Illumination on page  4-15 .

y

  The sensitivity of the AUTO lights may be changed by an Authorized Mazda Dealer.

  Refer to Personalization Features on page  9-12 .