What Is Headlight Illumination On Approach? Should You Enable?

Automakers are always working to give drivers more advanced safety and convenience features. Jeep has made a number of improvements, one of which is the addition of a feature known as “Headlight Illumination On Approach.”

This feature provides a convenient and customizable lighting experience for drivers. Jeep’s “Headlight Illumination On Approach” ensures optimal visibility, a heightened sense of security, and ease of entry into the vehicle by automatically illuminating the headlights for a specific duration after the doors are unlocked with the KeyFob.

Let us delve deeper into the complexities of this feature, examining its benefits and how it improves the overall driving experience for Jeep enthusiasts.

Table of Contents

What is the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” Feature?

When it is enabled, if you unlock the car with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, also known as the KeyFob, the headlights turn on and remain illuminated for a predefined duration.

After pressing the unlock button on the RKE transmitter, the headlights will stay on for a predetermined amount of time, making it easier for occupants to locate the vehicle in a crowded parking lot, dimly lit areas, or unfamiliar surroundings.

You can adjust the duration of headlight illumination according to your preferences. Options include 0 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and 90 seconds.

When activated, this feature improves visibility and adds convenience for you in low-light situations or as you approach your vehicle at night. The “Headlight Illumination On Approach” feature offers you peace of mind and improved visibility in a variety of situations by automatically turning on the headlights when the car is unlocked. This makes driving a Jeep safe and comfortable.

Where is the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” Feature Located?

It is located in the Uconnect system settings in Jeeps. You can access it via the touchscreen display interface on the center console or dashboard.

To access the feature, follow these steps:

Start the vehicle and make sure the Uconnect system is turned on.
Locate the Uconnect touchscreen display in the center console or dashboard.
On the touchscreen, tap the “Settings” button.
Look for the “Lights” section in the settings menu. This is where you will find all of the lighting-related options and features.
Select the “Lights” settings to access the available options.
Within the “Lights” section, select the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” option. It should be in the top section.

The exact location and navigation within the Uconnect system may differ depending on your Jeep model and version of the Uconnect system. Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for precise instructions related to your particular vehicle.

How Do You Adjust the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” Feature?

Follow these instructions to adjust it in a Jeep vehicle:

Follow the steps given above to find the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” option.
The adjustment menu is beside the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” option.
Within the adjustment menu, you will find the available duration options for the headlights to stay on after the doors are unlocked using the KeyFob. These options may include time intervals such as “0 sec”, “30 sec”, “60 sec”, or “90 sec”.
Tap ‘-’ or ‘+’ soft touch buttons to select the corresponding option for the desired duration. “0 sec” indicates turning the feature off.
Tap the “Save” or “OK” or “Apply” button, if available, to save the changes.
Exit the settings menu to confirm that the modified feature is in use.

Depending on your Jeep model and the Uconnect system’s version, the Uconnect system’s precise terminology and navigation may change. For accurate instructions tailored to your vehicle, consult your Jeep’s owner’s manual.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” Feature?

Advantages:

Enhanced Safety: The primary advantage is enhanced safety. It improves visibility in low-light conditions by automatically turning on the headlights for a predetermined period of time after unlocking the doors. It assists drivers and passengers in navigating safely and identifying potential hazards around the vehicle.
Convenience: The feature offers convenience by making it unnecessary to manually turn on the headlights after unlocking the doors. Particularly in circumstances requiring quick access to the vehicle, like parking lots or at night, it saves time and effort.
Deterrent to Potential Threats: The headlights’ illumination serves to ward off potential dangers and unauthorized entry into the car. The increased visibility makes it more obvious that the vehicle is occupied or being watched, which may deter unwanted attention or attempted theft.

Disadvantages:

Battery Consumption: The continuous operation of the headlights, even for a short duration, can consume a small amount of battery power. Even though the effect is typically negligible, you should still take it into account, especially if the battery is already compromised.
Light Pollution: In some circumstances, like late at night in residential areas, the illuminated headlights may result in light pollution and possibly annoy nearby residents.
Personal Preference: You might prefer to be in charge of when the headlights come on and might think that automatic activation is unnecessary or undesirable. You might view the feature as restrictive rather than helpful.

In the end, it is crucial for drivers to consider their own requirements and preferences when thinking about using the feature.

How Do You Turn off the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” Feature with No EVIC Display?

If your Jeep model does not have an Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) display, the procedure for disabling the feature may be slightly different.

Turning the Switch off:

Find the controls for your car’s lights on the multifunction stalk on the steering wheel or the headlight switch.
Without starting the engine, turn on the ignition.
Find the position on the light switch or multifunction stalk that controls the exterior lights or headlights.
Look for a small symbol or indicator that looks like a headlight or a vehicle with lines coming off it on the switch/stalk that represents the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” feature.
Toggle the light switch or move the multifunction stalk to “Off” or the position where the feature is disabled.

Using the JScan Tool:

Connect JScan to the diagnostic port on your Jeep.
From the JScan menu, choose the “Jeep” vehicle make and model.
Choose the module labeled “Instrument Cluster.”
Scroll down to the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” setting and turn it off.
To save changes press the “Write” button.

Note:
JScan is a diagnostic tool that allows you to access and modify various Jeep settings. Use JScan with caution, and only change settings that you understand.

If you are unsure about using JScan, you can have a qualified Jeep dealer disable the setting for you.

Using the KeyFob:

Perform the following steps for vehicles that do not have an EVIC:

Press the Unlock button and hold for 4-10 seconds.
After 4 seconds, press the Lock button without releasing the Unlock button.
After that, Release both buttons.
Keep the ignition in Lock. Remove the key. Test it from outside the car.

Try the process from outside the vehicle, and if that fails, try it while sitting inside with the door closed.

You should be able to disable the “Headlight Illumination On Approach” feature on your Jeep model without an EVIC display by following these steps.

FAQs

What is the “Headlight Off Delay” feature?

A: When this feature is enabled, the headlights will stay illuminated for a specified duration before automatically turning off. It allows you to control how long they will remain on.

You can customize the “Headlights Off Delay” setting to specify how long you want the headlights to stay on after turning off the engine. Adjustable options include 0 seconds (immediate off), 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and 90 seconds.

This feature’s purpose is to provide additional lighting and visibility when exiting your vehicle after parking in low-light conditions. It ensures that you have adequate illumination while walking away from your Jeep, especially in situations where there are few streetlights or the surroundings are dimly lit.

How do I turn on and off the daytime running lights?

The procedure for turning off and on the daytime running lights (DRLs) in a Jeep varies depending on the model and configuration. However, you can use the following methods:

1. Automatic DRLs:

Many Jeep models have DRLs that turn on automatically when the vehicle is running and the regular headlights are not in use. There might not be a manual switch to completely turn them off. However, you can try the following options:

Parking Brake: Applying the parking brake may turn off the DRLs. Remember that using this technique might also cause the instrument cluster’s parking brake indicator to illuminate.
Headlight Switch: The headlight control switch typically has several positions, including “Parking Lights” and “Headlights”. Switch to “Headlights”. It will override the DRLs and turn them off. However, depending on the driving conditions, this will also activate the regular headlights, so proceed with caution.

2. Manual DRLs:

Some Jeep models include a manual control option for turning on and off the DRLs. This control’s location and operation may vary. Here are a few possibilities:

Headlight Switch: Examine your headlight switch to see if it has a dedicated position or setting for turning off the DRLs. Look for an “Off,” “DRL,” or “Auto” position on the switch. Switching to the “Off” position will turn off the DRLs.
Settings Menu: Access the vehicle’s Uconnect system settings or instrument cluster settings to find an option to disable the DRLs. Navigate through the menus to find the “lighting” or “light” settings. Then select “Daytime Running Lights”. Now you can enable or disable the DRL settings.

How do I turn off the “Sound horn with lock” feature?

It is a security feature that causes the horn to honk when you use the KeyFob to lock your car. You can disable it from your vehicle’s Uconnect system.

Press the “Menu” button on your car’s Uconnect system.
Choose the “Settings” menu.
Choose the “Doors & Locks” menu.
Look for the option labeled “Sound Horn with Lock” or something similar.
Change the setting to “Off.”
Press the “OK” button to save your changes.

To disable the feature on a Jeep without an EVIC display, you can use a diagnostic tool such as JScan.

Connect JScan to the diagnostic port on your Jeep.
From the JScan menu, select the “Jeep” vehicle make and model.
Select the “Body Control Module” module.
Scroll down to the “Sound Horn with Lock” setting and turn it off.
To save changes, press the “Write” button.

When you disable the “sound horn with lock” feature, the horn will no longer honk when you use the remote keyless entry to lock your Jeep.

Final Words

Jeep’s “Headlight Illumination On Approach” feature improves driver safety, convenience, and security. It improves visibility in low-light conditions and eliminates the need for manual activation by automatically activating the headlights for a predetermined period after unlocking the vehicle. While there are minor drawbacks, such as battery drain and unintended activations, the benefits outweigh these drawbacks. Jeep owners can adjust the duration to their preferences, making their driving experience more convenient.