Why do people never turn off the car headlights when they stop the engine?
In several movies, I keep noticing a trope: whenever someone is in a car at night, with a running engine, and headlights are on, they will keep the lights on, not only after the stop the engine, but also when they leave the vehicle.
I know modern cars are designed to preserve battery life, by automatically switching off lights after a while, but these movies I am talking about are pre-modern cars era. 2000s and before.
From where I come from, almost no one would ever leave the car off while headlights are still on. So I wonder if it is a common practice in USA? or is it just a movie thing?
Best Answer
It's just a movie thing. No one wants to come out to a dead battery. It's really a hassle. I assume it's done in the movies so there is some source of light (acceptable to the audience) and possibility dramatic effect.
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Why don t headlights turn off when car is off?
Bad Relays If a bad headlight relay is a reason your headlights won't turn off, the fix is to replace the relay. This is a little easier to check since there's a chance that multiple circuits may use the exact same type of relay.Why do people turn off their engines at stop lights?
The concept of the stop-start system is simple. It automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle is at rest to cut fuel use and eliminate idle emissions. It then restarts the engine automatically when the driver lifts off the brake (or puts in the clutch to select 1st gear) to get going again.Do car lights stay on if car is off?
Parking lights are important for keeping everyone safe on the road, but you don't need them all the time. If the engine is off, the parking lights will drain the battery, so they should be used only when necessary.Do you have to turn your headlights off?
Make sure you can stop within the distance lighted by your headlights. The law says you must turn your headlights on 30 minutes after sunset and leave them on until 30 minutes before sunrise. You must turn your lights on any time you can't see at least 1000 feet ahead.Fix for lights that won't turn off on car
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