Auto-off headlights take minutes, not 30 seconds!

bertschb · 03-19-2010, 09:43 AM

I have a 2010 RAV4 V6 Limited with keyless entry and auto headlights. The owners manual says my headlights should turn off automatically after 30 seconds but mine stay on for several minutes after the ignition is turned off. I haven't timed it but it seems to be at least 5 minutes. It's very annoying. I did a search here but didn't see anybody reporting similar behavior. Is there any way to get my car to shut the headlights off automatically after 30 seconds (or less)? Thanks!

bmorton · 03-19-2010, 10:32 AM

By default, the headlights turn off 30 seconds after the ignition is switched off AND all doors are closed. I don't think the manual mentions that last part.

If, for example, you turn the car off, get out, close the door and then walk around to the back and open the rear door and leave it open while you unload your groceries, the lights will stay on until 30 seconds after you close the rear door. If it takes you five minutes to unload, the lights will stay on the entire time, as long as a door is open.

Does this explain what you've noticed? If you're saying that the lights run for several minutes even though all doors are closed, that isn't normal.

bertschb · 03-19-2010, 11:41 AM

Hmmm. I'll have to check that out. That could be the issue. Maybe. Thanks. It's been driving me crazy having the lights on so dang long after shutting the car off.

Gbcue · 03-19-2010, 01:13 PM

Also, if the car detects the key fob, the lights won't turn off, so you have to get far away.

davida · 03-19-2010, 01:54 PM

I noticed that my 09 Sport doesn't have auto lights but they do shut of after 30 sec with the doors shut..

wing_woo · 03-19-2010, 02:31 PM

Really? Mine has auto lights. Guess it's only standard on Canadian models. Also, to bmorton, thanks for the explanation. I never actually knew that.

bmorton · 03-19-2010, 02:41 PM

It's an undocumented feature, for some reason. Makes sense - if a door is open you're obviously not finished doing what you're doing so it leaves the lights on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gbcue

Also, if the car detects the key fob, the lights won't turn off, so you have to get far away.

Not on mine. It'll turn on the interior lights if I approach the car while carrying the smart key, but the headlights still shut off whether I have the key on me or not.

71GS455 · 03-21-2010, 01:15 AM

I double-click the lock button and it shuts them off.

December81 · 03-24-2010, 03:49 PM

Glad to find this thread. I've had my car for 2 weeks today and I've been having the same issues with my auto headlights. I haven't had time to look at the manual so when I noticed they weren't going off right away I just manually turned them off.

My previous car (02 Celica) had auto headlights and they would turn off when the car was shut off so when I noticed these not going off for a while I thought something was wrong. Needless to say there are a lot of features I still need to play around with/figure out.

03-19-2010, 09:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
bertschb Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Auto-off headlights take minutes, not 30 seconds! I have a 2010 RAV4 V6 Limited with keyless entry and auto headlights. The owners manual says my headlights should turn off automatically after 30 seconds but mine stay on for several minutes after the ignition is turned off. I haven't timed it but it seems to be at least 5 minutes. It's very annoying. I did a search here but didn't see anybody reporting similar behavior. Is there any way to get my car to shut the headlights off automatically after 30 seconds (or less)? Thanks!

03-19-2010, 01:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gbcue Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,185 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Also, if the car detects the key fob, the lights won't turn off, so you have to get far away. __________________ 2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited V6 4WD Auto - Pacific Blue Metallic - Leather - Tow Prep - Trailer Hitch -- OEM Hood Deflector -- Upgraded Horn -- LED Interior Lighting, Backup, and License Plate -- Yakima Roof-Mounted Bike Rack --

03-19-2010, 02:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
wing_woo Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Really? Mine has auto lights. Guess it's only standard on Canadian models. Also, to bmorton, thanks for the explanation. I never actually knew that. __________________ 2009 Rav4 V6 4X4 Sport

03-21-2010, 01:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
71GS455 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 430 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I double-click the lock button and it shuts them off. __________________ ~Steve

03-19-2010, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
bmorton Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 2,223 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	By default, the headlights turn off 30 seconds after the ignition is switched off AND all doors are closed. I don't think the manual mentions that last part. If, for example, you turn the car off, get out, close the door and then walk around to the back and open the rear door and leave it open while you unload your groceries, the lights will stay on until 30 seconds after you close the rear door. If it takes you five minutes to unload, the lights will stay on the entire time, as long as a door is open. Does this explain what you've noticed? If you're saying that the lights run for several minutes even though all doors are closed, that isn't normal.

03-19-2010, 11:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
bertschb Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hmmm. I'll have to check that out. That could be the issue. Maybe. Thanks. It's been driving me crazy having the lights on so dang long after shutting the car off.

03-19-2010, 01:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
davida Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Swansea, MA Posts: 81 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I noticed that my 09 Sport doesn't have auto lights but they do shut of after 30 sec with the doors shut..

03-24-2010, 03:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
December81 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Glad to find this thread. I've had my car for 2 weeks today and I've been having the same issues with my auto headlights. I haven't had time to look at the manual so when I noticed they weren't going off right away I just manually turned them off. My previous car (02 Celica) had auto headlights and they would turn off when the car was shut off so when I noticed these not going off for a while I thought something was wrong. Needless to say there are a lot of features I still need to play around with/figure out.

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