Headlights Blinding When Trying to Plug In Charger

[mattpo]

I do almost all my charging at night, and when I go to plug in the charger I can't see a thing because the headlights are glaring in my eyes. Am I doing something wrong? Why can't the headlights turn off/dim/go to charging mode when I open the charging port? I thought I was just a newbie to plugging in the charge chords, but I'm still struggling, although not as much, almost 3 months in. Yes, I get it connected within a few seconds but I'm tired of swearing at my headlights every time I charge the car.

Am I the only one?

Is there a setting somewhere?

Yes, I'm 61 years old and wear glasses....and can operate my TV remote all by myself, thank you.

Sponsored

 

[Dark-Fx]

Have you considered stepping off to the side where the charge port is?

 

[JacobAZ]

I do almost all my charging at night, and when I go to plug in the charger I can't see a thing because the headlights are glaring in my eyes. Am I doing something wrong? Why can't the headlights turn off/dim/go to charging mode when I open the charging port? I thought I was just a newbie to plugging in the charge chords, but I'm still struggling, although not as much, almost 3 months in. Yes, I get it connected within a few seconds but I'm tired of swearing at my headlights every time I charge the car.

Am I the only one?

Is there a setting somewhere?

Yes, I'm 61 years old and wear glasses....and can operate my TV remote all by myself, thank you.
[/QUOTE
You can turn lights off with the little tab lever on the left stalk. But then you would need to turn them back on or reset to auto with same lever. For me I just shield my eyes from the headlight glare with my hand or body and plug in with the other hand.

 

[VSG]

With the way I charge, this is never a problem because the lights turn off automatically in about 1 minute. So maybe if you change your routine you can avoid the problem. I'm not against Rivian dimming the headlights automatically, but what's the purpose here, to force them to change or to make things easier on yourself?

The two ways I usually charge:

1. When I first get home. Park, tell Alexa to open the charge port, get out of the car, get my stuff out off the back seat, set my stuff down on the table next to the door, walk around the car to the charger, uncoil the hose and extend it to the charge port, plug in. The more stuff I have the longer it takes, but there's always stuff. Then by the time I plug in, a minute has passed and the headlights have already turned off.
2. When my plans for the next day change and I realize I'm going to need to charge more before I head out the next morning. Then I go into the garage, unlock the car, swipe to open the charge port, then go through the routine of uncoiling and plugging in. Again, that takes about a minute and by then the headlights are off. If you're quicker than me and need something to do while waiting for the headlights to turn off, I highly recommend puttering. The garage is a perfect place to putter.

 

[Thedude]

Turn the headlights off before getting out to plug in the charger?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

It's the accent lighting, not the actual headlights being on right? Such a minor thing... Don't look directly at the light source? Whether it's garage or driveway, install lighting so that the car isn't the only light source, and so your eyes have more time to acclimate; instead of a sudden and drastic change in intensity of lighting? Talk to your eye doctor?

 

[carsly]

You're not alone. There is negligible lighting in the port area and the headlights overwhelm what little lighting is available. Really should dim the headlights when the charge port is opened.

 

[R1TinRocketCity]

I agree with you mattpo. I wish there was a bit more light inside the charger bay to illuminate the socket.

 

[Joseph D]

If what you are asking for is a way to turn off the headlights/DRL after you park and get out of the car.

There is an option in the settings -> Vehicle -> Display and Lighting -> Guide Lights
If you turn guide lights off, when you park and get out of the vehicle and close the driver door, the headlights/DRL's will turn off. This also means it gets pretty dark around the vehicle as well.

 

[Greg Chick]

It's the accent lighting, not the actual headlights being on right? Such a minor thing... Don't look directly at the light source? Whether it's garage or driveway, install lighting so that the car isn't the only light source, and so your eyes have more time to acclimate; instead of a sudden and drastic change in intensity of lighting? Talk to your eye doctor?

Said the squinting Owl...
Good points, the OP here did admit being 61 etc. I am 70' and understand with my 9 yr. edge. As well have eye problems, so I have seen my eye doctor.
My agreements to having the accent lights turn off when the charger port opens, or at least dim.
I have learned to find the port and insert the cord into the port via Brail! I look away because I give up trying to see into the black hole of the charger port that itself is un lit.
So, even a light in that black hole would help, or a flashlight on the end of the charger cable coupler!

Wink wink..

PS, any older folks like me feel, "wreaked up like a douche" Apologies to those that do not get the reference.

 

[SwampNut]

I use this thing called "my hand" to shield my eyes.

 

[James Connolly]

I generally do this for myself in a dark-ish garage. The charge cable is hung on a supporting post about even with the left wheel. I approach from the rear detach the cable from the post and plug it in leaning forward towards the front of the car. The light is being cast mostly in front of the car so it doesn't seem for me (64 to male) at least to be a problem.

 

[schlosrat]

I agree it's annoying. It's minor, but annoying, and yes, they could improve the situation with a small light inside the charge port. Can you use your hand to block the annoying/unwanted/unneeded light? Yes. Should you need to? No, I think they should have given this common use case more consideration.

So, it's common. It's annoying. And, yes, it can be coped with using various means. I do have to wonder if they could fix it in SW, though.

The car knows when the charge port is open, and it will close the port if you put it into gear. It won't go into gear if the charging cable is connected. Why not have SW detect that the port is open and dim the headlight until a cable is connected, or something along those lines?

 

[emoore]

I just went on a road trip where I had to charge at night and didn't even notice the headlights when trying to plug in. I usually plug in from the side instead of the front so I didn't have an issue with the headlights.

Sponsored