What Are Follow Me Home Headlamps? | Explanation and Benefits

Have you ever had trouble seeing your way to the door after parking your car in low-light conditions or at night? This is a very generic problem that many individuals face! But Indian car manufacturers have got this sorted for you by introducing the "Follow Me Home" headlamps feature in modern cars. But what are "Follow Me Home" headlamps? How does it work? The blog will answer all of these questions. Read on to find out! 

What Are Follow Me Home Headlamps?

Follow Me Home headlamps are car headlights that are designed to remain illuminated after the car ignition is turned off or when you lock your car with a key. 

Also known as Guide Me headlamps, these remain illuminated for typically 10-15 seconds and provide individuals with the required visibility to navigate unfamiliar surroundings. 

This feature majorly comes to the rescue to prevent mishappenings in parking conditions like potholes, mud, dark, etc.

Benefits of Follow Me Home Headlamps

Below are some of the major benefits of Follow Me Home headlamps. 

• Safety: No more tripping over unseen obstacles or struggling to find your way in the dark. With Guide Me headlamps, you can easily reach your destination and ensure safety at night or when the weather is bad. 
• Convenience: These headlights offer added convenience by providing occupants enough time to find their belongings. Also, the feature activates automatically when you lock your car (depending on the car model) and turns off after the set duration to preserve the car’s battery life. 
• Security: A well-lit area can deter thieves or potential threats from approaching your car, ensuring safety and peace of mind. 

How Follow Me Home Headlamps Work

Before we move forward to explain how the Follow Me Home Headlamps work, first have a look at its components to understand better. 

• Standby power source: It is available under the car's battery and helps glow the home headlights for a few seconds. 
• Sensors: Light sensors can adjust the brightness or how long the lights stay on based on how dark it is outside. Door sensors check if the doors are closed but don’t control the Follow Me Home Headlamps working.  
• Software: The control module’s embedded software allows the Follow Me Home Headlamps to function. It allows command execution, setting adjustments, and system communication. 
• Actuator: Newer car models often have a built-in switch or actuator that activates the Follow Me Home lights.
• Connectors: Wires and connectors make sure the signals and power move correctly between all the parts.
• Assembly: In many modern cars, you can use the assembly or touch switch to set how long the lights stay on, usually between 10 to 15 seconds.
• Relays: These are generally used in switching the headlights on and off occasionally, acting under the control module. 
• Dimming function: Dimming function works in synchronization with timing. The Follow Me Home Headlamps will be turned on as soon as you switch off the car engine. 

Now, let’s get back to the point and understand the mechanism of how these headlamps operate. 

The Follow Me Home Headlights work in two different scenarios. 

• When the driver turns off the ignition

OR

• When the car is unlocked from the button on the key.

For both scenarios, working will be the same, only the mechanism for triggering the feature changes. Here’s how! 

When the driver turns the ignition off, the sensor in the headlamp detects low light conditions in the environment and sends a signal to the ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

The ECU then sends an electrical signal to the headlamps to keep them illuminated for a set period.  This time frame typically ranges between 10-30 seconds and can also be customized to suit driver preferences. 

How To Activate The Follow Me Home Headlamp Feature

The process of activating the Follow Me Home Headlamp feature varies according to the car model and the technology used. 

However, some of the basic ways go like this:

• When you turn off the ignition, pull the high beam stalk towards you to activate the follow-me-home Headlamp feature.
• Alternatively, you might find an option in your car's infotainment system menu to activate this feature.

After a set time (usually a few seconds), the follow-me-home lights will automatically switch off.

Types of Follow Me Home Headlamps

Follow-me-home headlamps come in various types, each offering different functionalities and features. Below are some of the ones explained. 

1. Halogen Headlamps

These are the most common types of headlights that are a kind of incandescent light. As the name suggests, Halogen Headlamps are filled with halogen gas and can last up to 1000 hours in normal conditions.

Cons: The brightness of these headlights is poor, which makes it difficult to drive during the night. Also, they demand high energy consumption and maintenance. 

2. Xenon or High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlamps

HID headlamps are gas-discharge lights that create light through an electric arc between tungsten electrodes inside a clear or translucent tube, using xenon gas and an electrical charge. These are more energy-efficient, as HID headlights use 20-30% less energy than halogen bulbs. 

Cons: The most common con of xenon lamps is their high level of glare, which can be too bright for other drivers. In addition, the installation and repair of these headlights is pretty expensive. 

3. LED Headlamps

LEDs are known for their energy efficiency, whether it’s bulbs or headlamps. They light up when an electrical current passes through the microchip. 

Cons: Though LED Headlamps are highly energy-efficient, these can produce a harsh glare. 

4. Laser Headlamps

Laser headlights use three small blue lasers that shine onto mirrors in front of the headlight system. Then, the mirrors focus the laser light into a lens with yellow phosphorus. When the blue lasers hit the yellow phosphorus, it glows with a bright white light.

These headlamps have all the advantages of LEDs and perform better. The best part is that their energy consumption is half that of LEDs, and the light produced is 1,000 times stronger. 

Cons: Their adoption is not widespread due to higher costs and certain technical limitations. 

Top Five Category Of Follow Me Home Headlamps

The categories of Follow Me Home Headlamps vary according to their functionality, workings, and customizations. Here are the basic parameters of how they are classified. 

1. Basic 

These are the most common types of Headlamps that activate automatically when you turn off the car's engine. They typically have a preset illumination time with no customization options. 

2. Customizable

As the name implies, this category allows you to set the duration of how long the lights will stay on when the engine is turned off. PS: Some models also let you adjust the brightness. 

3. Integrated

These headlamps can be integrated with other systems of the car to provide additional features like puddle lamps under side mirrors and interior lights. The settings can be controlled through an app or the car's infotainment system.

4. Adaptive

This is the most advanced category of Guide Me headlamps that adjust their illumination based on the surrounding environment. For instance, staying on longer in darker or less safe areas. Additionally, these come with extensive customization and control options.

5. Connected

Last but not the least, connected headlamps can be connected to the internet or smart devices for remote operation. The best part? Settings can be modified remotely using a smartphone app or other connected devices. 

Popular Car Models with Follow Me Home Headlamps

Previously, the Follow Me Home headlamps feature was only found in high-end cars, but now manufacturers have also introduced them in affordable cars. 

Below is the list of popular car models with Follow Me Home headlamps, starting at Rs.7 Lakh. 

Maintenance of Follow Me Home Headlamps

Maintenance of Follow Me Home Headlamps becomes easier if you follow the below tips and tricks. 

• Dirt and dust can accumulate on the headlamp lenses. Use a soft cloth and mild cleaner to wipe the lenses regularly. 
• Regularly look at the headlamp bulbs for signs of wear or damage. If any issue is found, address it promptly. 
• Check for any software updates for the control module. Updated software can improve how the headlamp system works. 
• Make sure your car’s battery is in good shape, as it powers the headlamps. 

The Bottom Line 

Follow Me Home Headlamp is a must-have feature in any car as these illuminate your path in dark and unknown surroundings, preventing accidents. However, it’s true that these headlamps provide safety, but nobody has seen the future, car accidents can happen anytime. 

So, protect your vehicle with a car insurance policy from InsuranceDekho and ensure peace of mind while driving. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q. What are Follow Me Home Headlamps? 

Follow Me Home headlamp is a feature in cars that keeps the headlights on for a short time (10 to 15 seconds) after you turn off the engine. It helps drivers and passengers to navigate dark areas. 

Q. How to activate Follow Me home headlamps?

The Follow Me home headlights can be activated by either pulling the headlight stalk or through the infotainment system. 

Q. Is it possible to adjust the duration of how long the Follow Me Home headlamps stay on? 

Yes! It’s possible to adjust the duration in many modern cars. However, you might not find the feature in the previous older car models.  

Q. Which car models have the Follow Me Home Headlamps feature?

Some of the car models that have the Follow Me Home Headlamps feature include Kia Seltos, Hyundai i20, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Creta, and Hyundai Venue.

Q. Do Follow Me Home headlamps automatically turn off and on? 

Follow Me Home headlamps automatically turn off after a predefined time frame. On the contrary, manual intervention is required to turn on the feature, excluding the car models that come with automatic activation options.