Glow plugs do kick in at pretty much every start on the 1.6 HDi.
The dash light is not linked directly to them, it is purely timed (so the light comes on for 0.5 seconds with an ambient temp of 0c, and 0.2 seconds at 2c for example).
If you've got live diagnostics, you can watch the plugs cycle on & off for a few minutes after cold start. It's done for emissions, as common rail engines don't 'need' plugs to start, but it helps with a more complete combustion for less smoke/particulates/CO.
If its a DPF model, glowplugs are used during regen which is why they burn out more quickly than on older cars. Had to replace mine at around 60k on the DV6.
The dash light is not linked directly to them, it is purely timed (so the light comes on for 0.5 seconds with an ambient temp of 0c, and 0.2 seconds at 2c for example).
If you've got live diagnostics, you can watch the plugs cycle on & off for a few minutes after cold start. It's done for emissions, as common rail engines don't 'need' plugs to start, but it helps with a more complete combustion for less smoke/particulates/CO.
If its a DPF model, glowplugs are used during regen which is why they burn out more quickly than on older cars. Had to replace mine at around 60k on the DV6.