Have the car about 2 weeks, never owned a Nissan before and love driving the Max.
Had the opportunity yesterday to drive in pouring rain, and I noticed the head lights going off and on periodically, even though the windshield wipers were on. My attention was drawn to this because the dashlights changed brightness, and I lost my headlight reflection on the car in front of me.
Is this operating correctly? They are set to auto. My 2012 GMC worktruck also has auto headlight settings, and the headlights stay lit when the wipers are on during the day.

Also, I do not have daytime running lights, should I? I live in PA, USA.

 

First of all congrats on the purchase. I also have an 09 and just love the thing. The windshield wipers and headlights are two different systems and do not work in tandum with each other unless you turn each one on. I think what is happening is since you have the headlights set to auto they will come on when the light sensor sees is is getting a little dark. Since it was raining it is normal for the headlights to turn on and off depending on the light conditions at the time. The headlight sensor is located on the dash, passenger side next to the windshield. Important not to have anything blocking the sensor. When the headlights come on the lights in the dash display will dim out. Hope this helps.

 

PS. The US models did not come with day time running lights.

 

Thanks, Richard66.
I assumed the wiper and headlight systems were integrated like on my work truck, and am a little surprised they are not. No big deal, though.
One of the guys I work with bought an '09 new, and he says it has DRLs. Bet he will double check when he gets home today!

 

I don't know if they're wiring up cars to automatically have their lights on when wipers are on in states that require it. The Auto setting generally will depend on optical sensors on your dash (look for those circles on your tweeters). When enough light hits those sensors, of tells the BCM to turn off the headlights. It's possible that the sensitivity needs to be adjusted. Do you have a dash cover? Make sure you're not covering those sensors if you want them to work properly.

 

USA Nissan's have no DRL's. Canadian and European models have them.

 

I stopped using the 'auto' setting in daytime during stormy or otherwise inclimate weather, because sttuations change so quickly. Also, I don't like my headlights coming on then turning off every time I go under a bridge or under a large shade tree or pass through the shadow of a tall building. Turning HIDs on and off shortens their life more than simply keeping them on or off according to the situation.

I also mever set the headlamps to stay on several seconds after the engine has been turned off. I want the battery to always be at maximum strength when I return to the car and try to start it. However, if I was parking in an area where I had very limited light or did not feel totally safe, I might reconsider.

 

I agree. Never really used the auto function at all.
I would rather have seen Nissan go with a good halogen DLR set-up on their flagship 7th vehicles here in the states.
My thoughts are the 8th gens may finally have an LED DLR available at least in the higher end trim lines?

 

The lights on my previous car had no Auto setting, just my work truck, and that comparison was the basis for my question. I wanted to be certain the lights were operating properly.
This is a great car, I drove a variety of cars and this is the car I found myself comparing the others to.

 

I would say this is likely. It would make good business sense to have the cars sold in the U.S. and Canada be essentially alike. Makes production and logistics simpler. Also, there is the fact many U.S. drivers like DRLs, which are a safety feature.

 

I have the 09 and love it. GREAT car! congrats on the choice.