1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Question about headlights "on" vs. "auto", no warning bell when you leave the car

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Matt M., Mar 16, 2012.

  1. Matt M.

    Matt M. Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2012
    117
    11
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I saw a thread sort of related to this, but it didn't answer my question.

    I have a 2012 Prius Four. I know when I put the headlights in "auto", they will turn off 30 seconds (or whatever I change it to) after I turn the car off and get out and close the door. Will they also automatically turn off after 30 seconds if the headlights are set to "on"? I normally leave them in auto, but I have to turn them on sometimes when it's raining during the day. I was kind of surprised that there's no bell that rings when the headlights are set to on when you turn the car off, or when you open the door, like most cars have. So it seems like it would be very easy to accidentally leave the headlights on, especially since now I'm used to seeing them on after I get out because they normally turn off automatically after 30 sec, but I'm afraid if it's raining and I forget to turn them from on back to auto I'll walk away and they won't turn off.

    I looked in the manual and didn't find an answer to the question.

    (Sorry, I know I could just try it, but I won't be in my car for a while so I thought I would ask if someone happens to know the answer.)
     
    #1 Matt M., Mar 16, 2012
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,589
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    They should turn off after 30 seconds even if left in the on position after the car is shut down properly and you get out and close the door.
     
    #2 Paradox, Mar 16, 2012
  3. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2012
    547
    73
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere out there
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Whether your headlight is switch to ON or Auto, the auto OFF feature of the headlight is the same. What is different is the turning ON characteristics here. When the switch is on auto mode, the headlights turn ON automatically depending on the ambient light it receives - turns on automatically when it gets dark/dusk. Although it is easy to forget the headlights on without the warning bell chime, the prius was designed to automatically shut the lights off if you forgot to turn it off. Your prius is smarter than the other cars you have. :)
     
    #3 ImeanGreen, Mar 16, 2012
  4. Matt M.

    Matt M. Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2012
    117
    11
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    OK - thanks for the replies! I guess that explains why there's no warning bell.
     
    #4 Matt M., Mar 16, 2012
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,901
    16,125
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Yeah I can confirm that it will shut off after the preset time in the ON position.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Mar 17, 2012
  6. toyolover

    toyolover Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2009
    441
    67
    0
    Location:
    toronto, canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Mine stays on the Auto position all the time. It always turns itself off after 30 minutes of so. Never fails.
     
    #6 toyolover, Mar 17, 2012
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,901
    16,125
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    30 secs you mean? lol
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Mar 18, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)