Why can’t I turn my headlights off?

[Slartibartfast]

Why can’t I turn my headlights off at night when the car has stopped or is reversing?

When returning home at night I reverse onto my driveway so I can drive out forwards onto the road the next time I go out. Ideally I’d like to have just my side lights on and the headlights off, as the car now faces the living room of the house opposite (their curtains are not usually closed). I’m sure this annoys them but I can’t find a way to switch the headlights off when it’s dark and the car is running. I've tried the switch in every position but the headlights are still on until I exit the car.

 

[W1ghty]

Why can’t I turn my headlights off at night when the car has stopped or is reversing?

When returning home at night I reverse onto my driveway so I can drive out forwards onto the road the next time I go out. Ideally I’d like to have just my side lights on and the headlights off, as the car now faces the living room of the house opposite (their curtains are not usually closed). I’m sure this annoys them but I can’t find a way to switch the headlights off when it’s dark and the car is running. I've tried the switch in every position but the headlights are still on until I exit the car.

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The switch turn to vertical (0) should turn them off but there may be a delay until they go off ?
Maybe put the car in P , then turn the switch to 0 before going into reverse ?

 

[markjay]

The switch turn to vertical (0) should turn them off but there may be a delay until they go off ?
Maybe put the car in P , then turn the switch to 0 before going into reverse ?

I think the (0) position only affects the headlamps, but the DRLs always come on regardless?

 

[Slartibartfast]

The switch turn to vertical (0) should turn them off but there may be a delay until they go off ?
Maybe put the car in P , then turn the switch to 0 before going into reverse ?

Tried the first one, headlights still on.
I'll try your 2nd suggestion tonight, cheers.

 

[W1ghty]

Tried the first one, headlights still on.
I'll try your 2nd suggestion tonight, cheers.

What about turning the switch to sidelights only ?

 

[markjay]

Also, you may have the option to keep the headlight on for 20 seconds (or so) after locking the car, if so then this can be permanently turned off from the instrument cluster menu, or by pressing the lock button on the fob once more.

 

[Slartibartfast]

I think the (0) position only affects the headlamps, but the DRLs always come on regardless?

When in (O) position, headlights stay on if car is running. Not sure about my DRLs but these are no problem for me either way. Thanks.

 

[W1ghty]

I think the (0) position only affects the headlamps, but the DRLs always come on regardless?

He was only talking about headlamps

 

[Slartibartfast]

What about turning the switch to sidelights only ?

Tried it, headlights stay on until car stopped, locked and exited.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Also, you may have the option to keep the headlight on for 20 seconds (or so) after locking the car, if so then this can be permanently turned off from the instrument cluster menu, or by pressing the lock button on the fob once more.

Setting currently on 15 secs delay (lowest) but I'll try "0" tonight and see if that works.

 

[markjay]

Setting currently on 15 secs delay (lowest) but I'll try "0" tonight and see if that works.

Well this will only help after you lock and exit the car, which will make things a bit better, but obviously not a perfect solution.

 

[W1ghty]

Tried it, headlights stay on until car stopped, locked and exited.

Weird , I always have mine set on auto , but if I want to turn them off , to not dazzle someone (like a ferry ) I just turn to 0 and off they go

 

[Slartibartfast]

Weird , I always have mine set on auto , but if I want to turn them off , to not dazzle someone (like a ferry ) I just turn to 0 and off they go

My car has "Intelligent Light System" - they may not be intelligent enough

 

[190]

On my 2009 W204 I can turn all the lights off, or in one position to the right of auto just have the side lights on. This is with the engine running. At night, as soon as the engine is turned off, the stupid "see you to the door" lights come on for 30 Secs or so but it's the fog lights that come on, not the headlights. I call this feature dumb automation because I don't need or want them on when I park in the garage and there is no option to turn this function off.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

On my 2009 W204 I can turn all the lights off, or in one position to the right of auto just have the side lights on. This is with the engine running. At night, as soon as the engine is turned off, the stupid "see you to the door" lights come on for 30 Secs or so but it's the fog lights that come on, not the headlights. I call this feature dumb automation because I don't need or want them on when I park in the garage and there is no option to turn this function off.

The “see you to the door” lights have been adjustable on all of my cars which have had it. Have you double checked the manual and cluster menu? Perhaps in Convenience settings sub-menu.

 

[Slartibartfast]

On my 2009 W204 I can turn all the lights off, or in one position to the right of auto just have the side lights on. This is with the engine running. At night, as soon as the engine is turned off, the stupid "see you to the door" lights come on for 30 Secs or so but it's the fog lights that come on, not the headlights. I call this feature dumb automation because I don't need or want them on when I park in the garage and there is no option to turn this function off.

 

[Diesel Benz]

I guess a UK car (elsewhere not all settings are available), can you find the daylight running lamps setting from the instrument cluster settings menu? Turning it off should "enable" the light switch zero position (or parking lights only).