The headlights stay on for 10secs after I leave.

[Rhys]

You get home, its dark. You get out of the car, lock up and as you walk to your house you see that the headlights are still on. It lasts 10 seconds maybe longer then slowly they fade off. This may be manufacturer decision, perhaps to illuminate your driveway as you walk to your front door. But it's annoying when every person that you give a lift to points out "left your lights on". I only know one other BWM Mini owner and she has a Cooper S, on an 04 plate and this doesnt happen with her. Is this standard?

[cct1]

It's a programmable option--just let your dealer know you want it turned off.

[Red Cooper]

Actually - in the newer version the software is modified. This is not a 'always switched on' feature - instead if you want to have the lights on for 30-90 secs you will have to switch the lights off, then before removing the key (I think) flick the long beam on. This will turn the lights on for 30-90 secs... only if you chose to...
I had this feature for almost 3years until the ECU has been replaced and at first I thought it has been disabled completly...

[DarkSilverBullet]

You can just switch your lights off before you switch the engine off,
that way the lights go off straight away.

Personally it's a feature I like and find very useful, of course thats mainly cos I park straight in front of my house.

Also doesn't it give you a sense of power when you tell them, "no, I haven't left my lights on!", or is that just me?

[Paul]

Two ways this works. I cant recall when the change happened.

You have various timing options, as many as several minutes (dealer can do this for you).

In earlier cars this was activated by switching off the ignition, then the lights. This would leave on your headlights only for the pre-set time.

On newer cars you have to "flash" your lights after you've shut down the car, and ALL lights remain on for the pre-set time.

Hope that helps.

[ALD0]

You can have it programmed for upto 240 seconds
90 Was about right for me-Factory it was 30 sec's.

[Yellow/Black OneD]

I love this option, although I liked it better how it used to work, by turning the lights "off" after turning ignition off. Now you turn off then have to "flash" which turns them on again, so I never use this function now.

Yes I love it when people tell you about leaving your lights on, and then you tell them "Its o.k, they're automatic" or some rubbish to that effect, the shocked look on their face is great!