I never use the automatic lights feature. My criteria for turning on the lights are: Darkness, dusk, dawn, rain, fog, snow, any parking lot, narrow 2 lane roads with trees and all garages. The automatic feature does not guarantee that they will be constantly on in all those conditions.
Concrete cases: at dusk the car turns on too late, at dawn it turns off too early, they will not come to a sunny parking lot where people turn or fly to the end of a row without seeing at all, garages are where I want my beams on the wall to see the boy flying down the ramp even before he sees my car. The other advantage is when the headlights are on ALL lights are on ie. tail lights and pass lights.
These are old habits that I follow. This is also why I have never used parking lights only at checkpoints or other designated areas such as camping, etc. I’ve been taught that if it’s dark enough for a parking light, you should have your lights on. I know when the lights are on or off. That’s because I like them on, as the DRLs are routine, but the headlights stand out and give advance warning of their presence well ahead.
