Tesla automobiles come with cutting-edge headlights that glow brilliantly even after the driver has exited the car. It especially happens in low light conditions. Many advantages stem from this special tesla headlight after exit stays on feature, including increased safety, and visibility.
Quick View:
- Some Tesla models offer “Welcome Light” or “Exit Light,” where the headlights remain on for a brief period after the driver exits the vehicle.
- This feature provides added visibility in dark environments.
- The headlights’ duration can be adjusted in the vehicle’s settings, allowing drivers to customize the time the lights stay on after exiting.
Understanding Tesla Headlights After Exit
The idea behind Tesla headlights staying on after exiting is to improve safety and convenience for the owners. The “Auto Light” or “Auto Headlights” feature makes use of the car’s sophisticated software and sensors. It keeps the headlights on for a predetermined amount of time after the driver exits the vehicle.
The intelligent software and sensors in Tesla vehicles play a crucial role in making this feature true. How, you ask?
Well, Tesla’s vehicles are equipped with a variety of sensors. Such as cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and radar, that continuously monitor the surroundings. These sensors can detect when the driver exits the vehicle based on factors like door opening/closing, weight changes, or the presence of the key fob.
The sophisticated software takes over and turns ‘on’ the Auto Light function as soon as the sensors detect no driver.
The software is set up to keep the headlights on for a certain amount of time, usually a few minutes (or when the door shuts), before shutting them off automatically.
Through the vehicle’s settings, the driver can frequently alter this duration to suit their preferences.
The headlights are automatically turned off when you lock the Model using the Tesla mobile app or key card. But it takes a minute when the Walk-Away Door Lock is activated.
Here’s how you can enable Walk Away Door Lock:
It should be noted that Model X and Model S do not have this feature.
How To Change the Settings for Tesla Headlights After Exit?
To turn this feature on or off, touch Controls > Lights > Headlights after Exit. You can turn it on or off.
To change the settings for Tesla headlights after exit, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Tesla mobile app (have the Tesla mobile app installed on your smartphone) and log in with your Tesla account.
- Connect to your Tesla vehicle by selecting it from the list of available vehicles.
- Once you are connected to your Tesla vehicle, locate and tap on the “Controls” icon or tab within the app. This will give you a range of options regarding different settings for your vehicle.
- Now go to the settings related to headlights or lighting. The exact position and label of this setting may vary depending on the version of the Tesla mobile app and the firmware of your vehicle.
- Adjust the headlights after exit settings. Typically, this setting is labeled as “Auto Light” or “Auto Headlights.” Tap on this option to modify the settings.
- Within the Auto Light or Auto Headlights settings, you should see an option to adjust the duration. It determines how long after exit the headlights remain active. Select this option and choose your preferred duration.
- After selecting your desired duration, save the changes. Tap on “Save,” “Apply,” or a checkmark icon.
However, the duration of the lights staying on is different across Tesla’s models. And sometimes it is difficult to find the options by following the above method.
So here is a model-wise guide to configure your headlights staying on after exit:
| Model | Steps to Modify Headlights After Exit Option |
| Model X | Navigating on this model is easier. Just move through the tabs and all the options are there. |
| Model Y | Follow the solution given above. |
| Model S | Follow the solution given above. |
| Model 3 | Coming from the other models, one might find some options on the Model 3 harder to find. Some tabs contain second-level options, and you also have Quick Control. It only displays top-level settings. So to access the additional settings, you must go to the tab and then select the second-level settings. From there, follow the settings. |
Now, many users complain about failing to set the headlights after exit duration to their desired time. Below are some adjustments you can try to play with the duration:
HL: ON, HAE: OFF headlights stay on for 2 minutes.
HL: ON, HAE: ON headlights stay on for 2 minutes.
HL: AUTO, HAE: OFF headlights turn off immediately.
HL: AUTO, HAE: ON headlights stay on for 1 minute.
Note: here HL suggests the “Head Lights” option and HAE suggests the “Headlights After Exit” option.
You have to go to controls and then tamper with these options as already discussed above.
Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to Tesla Headlight Replacement Cost
Is “Tesla Headlights After Exit” Technology Energy Efficient?
Tesla vehicles are equipped with advanced energy management systems that optimize power usage. This includes the operation of the headlights after exit. So the headlights-after-exit technology is designed to be energy-efficient.
Tesla’s intelligent software and sensors ensure that unnecessary battery drain is minimized. The time for which the headlights stay on after exit is typically limited to conserve battery life.
You should remember that Tesla vehicles utilize energy-efficient LED (Light-Emitting Diode) headlights. Those consume less power compared to traditional halogen or xenon headlights. LED headlights are known for their energy efficiency and provide bright lighting while using less energy.
Moreover, Tesla’s energy management systems actively monitor and control power distribution to maximize efficiency. It dynamically allocates power to different systems based on their priority and optimizes the overall power consumption.
Do I Really Need Tesla Headlights After Exit?
Whether you have Tesla headlights shining after exit or not is up to you. However, here are a few factors to consider:
Safety: In low-light conditions or when parking in dimly lit areas. The illuminated headlights can improve visibility for you and others around the vehicle.
Convenience: Illuminating your path as you walk away, particularly in dark or unfamiliar environments.
Thinking of cons of this feature? The one I can think of is:
Energy Efficiency: While the Tesla headlights after exit technology is designed to be energy-efficient, it still utilizes a small amount of power from the vehicle’s battery. If you are concerned about energy consumption or battery life, you may choose to disable this feature to conserve energy.
Related Post: Tesla Matrix Headlights: The Latest Innovation in Automotive Lighting
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
How long do Tesla headlights stay on after I exit the vehicle?
It ranges from a few minutes to a specific time interval of the owner’s preference.
Can I disable the Tesla headlights after the exit feature?
Yes, you can disable the Tesla headlights by going to the vehicle’s settings or controls.
Will leaving the headlights on after exit drain the Tesla’s battery?
No. The feature utilizes a small amount of power.
Do the Tesla headlights automatically turn off after the set duration?
Yes, once the set duration elapses, the Tesla headlights after exit feature will automatically turn off the headlights.
Can I manually turn off the Tesla headlights after exit if needed?
Yes, you can manually turn off the headlights after exiting from the controls panel.
