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How do automatic high beams work on my Ford vehicle?

A camera sensor mounted behind your vehicle's windshield monitors conditions to turn on the automatic high beams* and improve visibility in the dark. If it detects an approaching vehicle’s headlamps or tail lamps, or street lighting ahead, the system turns the high beams off.

The system turns the high beams on if all the following occur:

  • You enable the system. See the steps below. 
  • You set the lighting control to the autolamps position.
  • The ambient light level is low enough that you require high beams. 
  • There is no traffic in front of your vehicle.
  • The vehicle speed is greater than approximately 52 km/h.

Notes: 

  • The system may not switch the high beams off if the lights of oncoming vehicles are hidden by obstacles (e.g., guard rails).
  • Severe weather conditions will affect the system's performance if visibility is reduced (e.g., fog, heavy rain, spray, or snow).

Enabling Automatic High Beams

Follow the steps below to enable the system. Refer to your Owner Manual for information specific to your vehicle as instructions may vary depending on your vehicle's model and year.

  1. Press Settings on your vehicle's SYNC®** screen.
  2. Choose Vehicle Settings.
  3. Select Lighting.
  4. Toggle the Auto Highbeam slider On.

This video explains the convenience of having automatic high beams on your vehicle and some easy-to-follow tips on how to use them.

*Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. It does not replace safe driving.  See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.

**Don’t drive while distracted or while using handheld devices. Use voice-operated systems when possible.  Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear.  Not all features are compatible with all phones.