Why do headlights stay on after key has been removed?

[TurboDan]

I haven't gone out of my way to try it on anything, but discovered on our old '02 Accord and my RSX you can leave the lights on and walk away, but they will shut themselves off after 30s to a minute.

The Saab would do that if you clicked the hi-beams on within 10 seconds of turning the car off, or something like that. I have no idea if the Passat does the same thing.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Along the same theme, why do some cars automatically lock?

I got locked out of the car on my way home in Alabama because it automatically locked with the keys on the driver's seat. Luckily, it only took 20 minutes to get that dealt with (it had the potential to take 3+ hours), but if I wanted the car locked, I would have locked it myself.

[r0tor]

Along the same theme, why do some cars automatically lock?

I got locked out of the car on my way home in Alabama because it automatically locked with the keys on the driver's seat. Luckily, it only took 20 minutes to get that dealt with (it had the potential to take 3+ hours), but if I wanted the car locked, I would have locked it myself.

My fathers 4Runner automatically locks unless it senses the key (probably the ignition chip) is close by or in the car

My RX8 has locked me out while washing it many many times 

[TurboDan]

My fathers 4Runner automatically locks unless it senses the key (probably the ignition chip) is close by or in the car

My RX8 has locked me out while washing it many many times 

Once upon a time my Dad made the mistake of purchasing a Dodge Stratus. The car was, overall, awful... but one issue I distinctly remember was the auto locks being kicked in by the RPMs of the engine. Now, my car does the same thing (which is fine) but the Stratus was set too low. On a cold morning, when the car was warming up at a high RPM, you had a decent chance of heading back inside and coming back to see that your running car had locked you out of itself. 

He eventually traded it in for a new '01 A6, which has provided years of trouble-free driving without ever being locked out once. 

[FoMoJo]

Why? It makes no sense to me. My Saab was smart enough to kill the headlights automatically after you turn the key off. The Focus will turn off the headlights, but keep the parking lights on.

It seems like a good way to drain the battery.

Doesn't it cut power after 30 minutes if you leave any accessories on?

[280Z Turbo]

Doesn't it cut power after 30 minutes if you leave any accessories on?

Never tried it.

I know the rear hatch light will eventually go off by itself if you leave the hatch open.

[Raza]

Once upon a time my Dad made the mistake of purchasing a Dodge Stratus. The car was, overall, awful... but one issue I distinctly remember was the auto locks being kicked in by the RPMs of the engine. Now, my car does the same thing (which is fine) but the Stratus was set too low. On a cold morning, when the car was warming up at a high RPM, you had a decent chance of heading back inside and coming back to see that your running car had locked you out of itself. 

He eventually traded it in for a new '01 A6, which has provided years of trouble-free driving without ever being locked out once. 

The locks are supposed to kick in at 9mph, I believe. 

[Byteme]

Once upon a time my Dad made the mistake of purchasing a Dodge Stratus. The car was, overall, awful... but one issue I distinctly remember was the auto locks being kicked in by the RPMs of the engine. Now, my car does the same thing (which is fine) but the Stratus was set too low. On a cold morning, when the car was warming up at a high RPM, you had a decent chance of heading back inside and coming back to see that your running car had locked you out of itself. 

He eventually traded it in for a new '01 A6, which has provided years of trouble-free driving without ever being locked out once. 

Seems like it would ha made better sense to program it to lock at a certain speed.