I started driving my new 2011 Prius about 2 weeks ago. Is there no warning sound that I've left my lights on after turning the car off? My old 2000 Dodge Caravan used to chime if I had left my lights on and had the door open. Does the 2011 Prius have a similar function?
The Prius has auto-off headlights that will turn the lights off everytime you open the driver's door after turning off the car. The lights will automatically come on once you start the car. The chime will only come on if you turn on the lights with the car off. In that case the lights wont go off if you open or close the driver's door.
Yes, it can be a mistake to rely on auto-off, because there are ways of exiting the car that will not trigger it. You can also leave the dome or hatch lights on; they will not auto-off and they will kill the battery just as effectively.
I don't think I've turned my lights off at the switch for a few thousand miles. I always drive with the lights on (company policy) and when I park the car, I look to see that the lights wink out whenever I lock the car (they do.) Sometimes, when I park at a remote office I will toggle the switch after MECO so that the lights will remain illuminated after locking the car. It's not as good as the battery saver and automatic lights in my dumb old pickemup truck, but I've managed to get by for the last year... Good Luck!
Found out last night that the Canadian "vee" will give off a stead beep when the lights are left on the on position with the power off and the doors open. The auto off (mine is set to 30sec) still works none the less. I had never noticed as my v has the auto lights on and off that come with the touring and tech package and I always leave that to auto. The girlfriend was driving and changed it. As a side note some of the things she changes in that car and has zero explanation as to why or even when she did it boggles my mind. The most recent were the headlights and in the same trip she decided to switch off the overhead lights on when doors open to just off. When asked she had no explanation. I swear I am dating a five year old stuck in a 25 year olds body. The first day she drove it I think she was trying to see if she could press enough buttons to make the poor thing blow up........ she was "trying to get it to start"...... I should mention I spent a good couple minutes explaining it before she left the house.
When you lock your car...press the lock button on your FOB or smartkey twice. Done. On the second click the lights go off!