2017~2025 Headlight Controls

[MrMcE]

I am one of those awesome human beings that turns my headlights off when I'm in the drive thru line so I'm not blinding the patrons in front of me or sometimes even the patrons inside.

Yesterday was my first time in a drive thru with my new (to me) '21 CX-5 GTP and from a stop, I turned my headlight stalk from AUTO to OFF, and as expected, the headlights went off. BUT, soon as I rolled forward, the lights came back on even though the stalk was still at OFF, and they remained on even when fully stopped again from inching forward. Going to AUTO and OFF again didn't turn them off like it did the first time, either.

When I was first exploring the infotainment menu, I recall there being two settings that seemed either ambiguous or redundant to me, automatic headlight timeout and a coming home setting. Do any of these apply to situations where you want your headlights off when stalk is at off, or at least make them turn off if you're at a full stop + stalk off? Maybe a minimal timeout setting so at least it turns off quickly after coming to a stop at the drive thru situation?

I'm guessing Mazda made it impossible to drive with lights off when it's dark enough out regardless of stalk settings, fine, I'm okay with that since there are more morons driving at speed with lights off in the dark than people who legitimately need lights off, but when at a stop? I'm not getting it.

Do I have to put it into Park every single time I stop? Or Parking Brake? I wouldn't bother if that's the only way.

 

[N7turbo]

Yes, you will need to do this to gain full control of those options. It works for both generations (2013-2025).

DIY Post in thread 'How To Disable Daytime Running Lights (instructions)'

Sep 29, 2017

For the record, here is an official copy of instruction to disable the DRL function for 2017 and older CX-5s obtained by bigtex from his Mazda dealer:

Is this the file:

• yrwei52

 

[MrMcE]

Does disabling DRL only disable it when stalk is on OFF, or will DRL also be disabled even when on AUTO?

 

[N7turbo]

Does disabling DRL only disable it when stalk is on OFF, or will DRL also be disabled even when on AUTO?

It simply unlocks the options so that everything on the stalk works like it is labeled.

If you use Auto, they will be on. But don't use Auto—because it won't turn on the tail lights at night.

 

[stickerbush]

But don't use Auto—because it won't turn on the tail lights at night.

That seems dangerous. I don't see the logic in this.

 

[GFrosty]

I am one of those awesome human beings that turns my headlights off when I'm in the drive thru line so I'm not blinding the patrons in front of me or sometimes even the patrons inside.

I do the same thing. Nice to see that others also consider the impacts, and take steps to improve the experience for others. Not everyone does.

Yesterday was my first time in a drive thru with my new (to me) '21 CX-5 GTP and from a stop, I turned my headlight stalk from AUTO to OFF, and as expected, the headlights went off. BUT, soon as I rolled forward, the lights came back on even though the stalk was still at OFF

On my 2016.5 it's got the running lights (DRLs) that come on when creeping forward, even if the stalk is turned to Off.

Doesn't mean the headlights themselves come on. But the DRL "ring" of lights certainly does. If I then sit for another bit of time, they turn off. Until I creep forward again. And once I turn the stalk to On, of course, the lights are back on.

The personalization features are somewhat different in 2017+ vintages, but quite possibly it's your DRLs that are coming on and NOT actually the headlights themselves.

 

[N7turbo]

The personalization features are somewhat different in 2017+ vintages, but quite possibly it's your DRLs that are coming on and NOT actually the headlights themselves.

Unfortunately, the headlight is the DRL on these cars.

 

[RedBaron]

If you use Auto, they will be on. But don't use Auto—because it won't turn on the tail lights at night.

That's not true - at least for our 2019 CX-5 and 2023 CX-50. If you leave the lights on Auto, the taillights turn on when it gets dark.

 

[N7turbo]

That's not true - at least for our 2019 CX-5 and 2023 CX-50. If you leave the lights on Auto, the taillights turn on when it gets dark.

I just saw a CX-5 of that generation (2018-2021) at night with the tail lights off and the headlights on. That is only possible in Auto mode. Someone here posted a video of one also.

 

[hsdejong]

I just saw a CX-5 of that generation (2018-2021) at night with the tail lights off and the headlights on. That is only possible in Auto mode. Someone here posted a video of one also.

I think their headlights were switched off. What you saw were just the daytime running lights (DRLs).

 

[N7turbo]

I think their headlights were switched off. What you saw were just the daytime running lights (DRLs).

That could be.

I would hope a forum member would be smart enough to not use the Off setting at night.

 

[hsdejong]

I would hope a forum member would be smart enough to not use the Off setting at night.

Yes, you're right, but since DRLs resemble headlights with reduced output, some drivers mistakenly think their headlights are on...