Searched around a bit, but I'm still confused. My '09 does not have the convienence package which apparently includes auto headlights. If i drive with my lights on, leave them on but shut off the car, they go off. Can I just leave them on all the time? All interior and dash lights go off so I'm not sure if I'm draining something by always leaving them on. I'm just not used to having to turn them on and off.

 

Dunno about all the time but i've definitely left them on overnight once or twice and the car started fine.

If you're just looking to make sure that you have headlights on during the day, though, you can turn on your daytime running lights (check owner's manual for how to do this).

 

Yes, you can leave them on all the time. It does not put a load on the battery.

 

+1

My Clubman, which I have had for about a year and a half, does not have automatic headlights, and I have only shut off my lights about two or three times, with no problems.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I asked at the dealership but they had a look on their face like I was crazy and couldnt really answer my question. Thanks again

 

From what I can tell the only difference between leaving your headlights on all the time and programming daytime running lamps on is with DTRL the dashboard does not light up. On the outside all the lights are on with either (which makes it the dumbest DTRL system I've ever seen, but that's how it works).

If you leave them on it also affects how long the headlights stay on upon exiting and locking the car. Haven't figured out how they work in both cases, just notice it is different.

 

Reading the manual will lead to this shortened explanation.

Headlights OFF, DTRL set to OFF - headlights, marker lights, interior lights are off, use headlights switch to turn lights on

Headlights ON (not auto), DTRL set to OFF - Headlights, marker lights etc are on and will go off when the car goes off.

Headlights OFF, DTRL set to ON the headlights and the rear lights are on whenever the car is on. Marker lights, interior lights etc will go on and off with the headlight switch.

Auto Headlights - when the headlight switch is set to AUTO not ON the headlights will turn on and off automatically with the out side light level. I.E. when it gets dark out the lights come on when it get light out the lights go off. Lights = Headlights, marker lights, rear lights, interior lights etc. So if you go into a tunnel mid day the lights will go on as you enter the tunnel and go off after you leave the tunnel.
When DTRL is set to ON and the switch is set to AUTO then the interior dash lights and marker lights will go on and off as above with the light level.

Also on some cars (i believe you need the conv pack) after you have turned off the car and are starting to get out if you pull on the headlight switch as if to turn the high beams on then the head lights will come on for about 4-5 minutes to allow you time to get into the house.


So to make it easy just leave the headlight switch to the full on position and the all the lights will go on and off with the car.

 

I'm a bit confused. So it is okay to have the headlights on your Clubman on all the time, even when it is parked and you leave it? I know on other cars, it always leaves the battery dead when you come back.

 

Nope: The mini will turn off automatically when you hit the stop button.

 

Yes, leave them on.

 

Yes, it's okay, as the post above you mentions.

I mean...if you lock your car, and then look at it, and no lights are on? Logic would dictate it's not going to drain any electricity. It's not like it's secretly draining your battery with some invisible load or something...

--Dan
Mach V

 

Thanks again