Updated May 25 2022
If you’re wondering what adaptive headlights or automatic high beams are, this article may shed some light on the subject. In recent years, car manufacturers have been working hard to improve driver safety, and one of the elements of that work is improving road visibility.
At Mazda, adaptive headlights and automatic high beams are two results of this movement. Find out how they work and learn more about the i-Activsense package and safety at Mazda.
What Are Adaptive Headlights?
Adaptive headlights are pretty simple to understand. They are headlights that have the ability to turn to the left or right following the steering wheel around corners to better illuminate what’s ahead when we are on a winding road at night.
In fact, instead of lighting up straight ahead when you take a curve, the lighting takes an angle of up to 15 degrees in the direction you want to go. This makes the headlights predictive, allowing you to see what’s ahead.
This lighting system uses LED lamps in four independent blocks and a device that uses an integrated camera.
It’s a simple technology, but very effective. It allows you to detect and react quickly to obstacles that may be in your way. In fact, as the brand pointed out in its press release in 2014, when it launched this technology:
“Mazda is the first Japanese automaker to unveil to the public a high beam management device with such autonomy.”
Automatic High Beams for Everyone’s Safety
We all know that we should switch from high to low beam when we pass another vehicle on the road at night. However, vigilance being what it is, sometimes we don’t react as quickly as we should.
The automatic high beam system switches to low beam for you automatically, maximizing your safety and that of other drivers. This system also uses a camera to detect oncoming traffic. Thanks to the intelligence of Mazda’s technologies, your headlights are proactive and react faster than lightning.
Conversely, the system also switches from full beam to high beam when you’re driving in the dark to improve your visibility.
Of course, this kind of technology improves comfort and enjoyment behind the wheel by giving you greater peace of mind. Another simple, but very useful technology.
Active Safety with i-Activsense
Both of the above features are part of the i-Activsense package, Mazda’s active safety features. It’s designed to help you detect everything around your vehicle and help you stay safe with peace of mind.
In addition to adaptive headlights and automatic lights, it includes:
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Lane Departure Warning
- Brake Assist
- Intelligent Cruise Control
- And more!
Mazda’s suite of driving aids includes 9 technologies to give you optimum peace of mind and help you drive safely. You get advanced features like Brake Assist, which detects vehicles 200 meters ahead and helps you slow down.
Passive Safety Is another Priority
One problem we sometimes see today is that too much priority is given to driver assistance systems, while passive safety is neglected. Not with Mazda.
In fact, IIHS test results on compact SUVs found that few passed them. Le Guide de l’auto confirms this:
“According to the IIHS, when it comes to compact SUVs, the Mazda CX-5 is the safest.”
So you’re wondering: Is the Mazda CX-5 a good buy? You’ve got part of the answer by relying on the tests!
What’s more, in 2022, several models of Mazda cars will receive the Top Safety Pick +, the “+” standing for headlight quality:
- The Mazda3
- The Mazda CX-30
- The Mazda CX-5
- Mazda CX-9
Find the ideal safe vehicle for you at your Mazda dealership in Chicoutimi in the heart of the Saguenay. The L’Ami Junior Mazda team is waiting for you!