I've just realised that the 12V socket (cigar lighter) in the centre console on my car is permanently live i.e. it doesn't switch on/off with the ignition. Is this usual and can it be changed?

yes ive posted in a tutorial on how to switch it... all you need are a couple of piggyback fuse tails
 

 

Edited 25 January, 20197 yr by JohnnyType2

Or one of these

 

Quick Charge 3.0 Car Charger, Te-Rich 96W 2-Way Cigarette Lighter Splitter 12V Power Adapter Socket Extension with 5.4A Dual USB Chargers for Sat Nav, iPhones, iPad, Android Phones, Dashcam and More https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0791C648F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4QXsCbV3RTFZ7

 

10 hours ago, Maggle said:

I've just realised that the 12V socket (cigar lighter) in the centre console on my car is permanently live i.e. it doesn't switch on/off with the ignition. Is this usual and can it be changed?

 

Why are you worried about it? It doesn't drain the battery and poses no risk.

It just means that I can't leave anything plugged into it permanently such as a dash cam as it could drain the battery if left for a period of time? Need to think of an alternative way to power my dashcam I guess.

Hardwiring the dash cam into your fuse box via a piggy back fuse is the better/tidier option in my opinion.  Fit it and forget it 

 

Gaz

 

That is what I need to have done, I just don't have the necessary skills to be able to do such a thing, so I'll get a local VAG independent to do the work for me, as I don't want to damage the car in any way, shape or form. 

2 hours ago, TheWanderer said:

That is what I need to have done, I just don't have the necessary skills to be able to do such a thing, so I'll get a local VAG independent to do the work for me, as I don't want to damage the car in any way, shape or form. 

If you dont feel confident then its better to be safe than sorry. Install on my new VRS took me around 12 minutes. A bit longer on my old one though! 

 

I agree, hardwiring a dashcam is the better way. I dont understand why skoda chose to have the sockets permanently live!

 

P.s @TheWandererhave you got your new car yet??

2 hours ago, TheWanderer said:

That is what I need to have done, I just don't have the necessary skills to be able to do such a thing, so I'll get a local VAG independent to do the work for me, as I don't want to damage the car in any way, shape or form. 

There is a great video on YouTube that really helped me. I watched it over and over then gave it a go, took just over 10 mins in all. Saved monies in the process too.

 

ive fitted the blackvue with power magic pro its really easy to do. but my phone uses a magnetic charger thats lit all the time so it was a must to switch the 12v

12 hours ago, ExSEAT said:

I agree, hardwiring a dashcam is the better way. I dont understand why skoda chose to have the sockets permanently live!

Every VAG car I've owned for the last 20+ years has had a permanently live socket.

 

When you're powering an electric tyre pump it saves having to have the engine running, and if you're powering a cool box it's essential (the power management system will shut down the socket if the battery voltage gets too low).

24 minutes ago, PetrolDave said:

Every VAG car I've owned for the last 20+ years has had a permanently live socket.

 

When you're powering an electric tyre pump it saves having to have the engine running, and if you're powering a cool box it's essential (the power management system will shut down the socket if the battery voltage gets too low).

In the last 19 years I have owned 7 VAG cars, 2 of which have had a permanent live socket and both were skodas. The rest were SEAT and didnt have that. Have you been driving exclusively Skoda? A quick google brought up many topics about VAG cars where there were questions asked about why sockets werent permanent as standard on VWs and Audi.

5 hours ago, ExSEAT said:

Have you been driving exclusively Skoda?

Nope, Skoda (Fabia and Octavia) and Audi (S3, A4, S4 and RS4).

 

TBH I wouldn't be happy if the socket wasn't permanently live - one of the first things I did on our other car (Citroen C1) was to rewire the socket so it is permanently live.

Edited 27 January, 20197 yr by PetrolDave

19 hours ago, ExSEAT said:

If you dont feel confident then its better to be safe than sorry. Install on my new VRS took me around 12 minutes. A bit longer on my old one though! 

 

I agree, hardwiring a dashcam is the better way. I dont understand why skoda chose to have the sockets permanently live!

 

P.s @TheWandererhave you got your new car yet??

 

Oh yes! Very happy, very nice. I would post some photos but I need to partially obscure the plate for security. 

5 minutes ago, TheWanderer said:

 

Oh yes! Very happy, very nice. I would post some photos but I need to partially obscure the plate for security. 

I remember you posted about your security situation, its totally understood! Any smartphone will have a native editing app where you can put some paint over the plate if the fancy takes you. Glad to hear your happy, as a fellow MY19 owner just give me a shout if you have any questions or find out anything interesting I might not have noticed!

Just trying to work out how the light assist thingy works? 

 

It's ticked in the infotainment system. 

16 hours ago, TheWanderer said:

Just trying to work out how the light assist thingy works? 

 

It's ticked in the infotainment system. 

Is it the light assist or high beam assist?

 

 

I think it's high beam assist. There is a icon of a white headlamp with an A on the dashboard. So I think I have activated it. 

2 hours ago, TheWanderer said:

I think it's high beam assist. There is a icon of a white headlamp with an A on the dashboard. So I think I have activated it. 

I dont have high beam assist, from what i can tell in that you activate it by pushing the left stalk forwards. If theres no lights coming towards you it will go blue for main beam. Then when headlights come along they should auto dip. Try it sat next to a road in the dark, activate it and wait for a car to come. Be ready to manually knock it off lol in case it doesnt work.

The perm live 12v sockets are actually a good thing for me. The rear one powers my old phone for its hotspot it provides the car. I'm gonna use the front one to trickle charge the car battery with the ctek adaptor I just got.

 

Previous Toyota was switched off the ignition.