Mazda Australia list an "Auto Headlight" kit for the RX8. It's not very expensive, either... AU$119.

Does anyone know how it fits, and what is involved (new stalks? button on the dash?). I wonder if it would fit the UK market car, since both are RHD and probably have similar looms.

 

it would probably work but mazda UK would probably come out with a flash to disable it

 

i wish we had auto headlights... i sometimes forget to turn it on.

 

how do you forget to turn your headlights on? You see people driving at night without them on sometimes, just not sure how its possible when theres no way you can see anything on the road without them on. Especially with the HID's in the 8 which light everything up.

 

Mine doesn't have HIDs, but I don't forget to switch them on; I drive with them on during the day too (no DRLs in the UK) - my car is road coloured.

But, I like gadgets. If there's a gadget available for my car, it'll get it as long as I can fit it in such a way as to be clearly a factory/Mazda thing. And I like the idea of auto lights. Not as much as auto wipers; also not an option in the UK (neither is the auto-dimming rear view mirror ).

 

Auto-wipers? I havn't heard of that on a Mazda. The auto-lights is interesting though.

 

Auto wipers are an optional accessory (along with dimming mirror) for the new MX5 apparently. Not for the RX8.

 

i turn them on late at night. the main concept i think when to turn on my headlights are when the cars on the road begin to look like parked cars. or i usually turn it on past 6. usually at those times its dusk or sunset. i don't forget to turn them on when it's pitch black... i'm not an idiot hello.

 

Okay; here's some more information I found by looking for Australian forums :D

"The kit consists of:
- a control module
- wiring and adaptors to tap it into the original system
- a bracket to mount the module
- operational and fitting instructions

The module and wiring are installed under the steering column covers, the light sensor is installed in the bottom of your RHF a pillar trim (just above the dash).

There is no switch or stalk as such. The various features of the auto lights on/off can be individually activated or deactivated using a key turning sequence in combination with turning the lights on and off at the stalk a specified number of times. Full instructions included."

Sounds like US cars have an even better setup, with an AUTO setting on the stalk.

 

we have no such setting

 

Hmmm, I saw it mentioned as a feature on the '06 GT models, but it's not on the website. Must have been another car.

 

the dealer near me has at least 8 which all had it (according to the seller). I test drove one at night which had it so it must be true. This could be a dealer thing though. Some dealers even convert a Lotus Exige into a removable hard top so something small like this is possible.

mazdausa says self-leveling. isn't that the same thing?

 

Nope, self leveling is just adjusting for the loading in the car. Auto headlights switch on when it gets dark.