Cars these days still have a 12-volt socket built somewhere into the dashboard. You might recognise it as a car cigarette lighter, depending on your age. However, younger drivers likely see it only as an auxiliary power source. So, which is it?
The 12v auxiliary power outlet aka car cigarette lighter started as a feature for heating cigarette lighters in older cars. These days, the socket powers in-car accessories that you don't want to hardwire to the fuse box, including car chargers, small food storage units, and more.
This guide will help you understand why cars still have a 12v auxiliary power outlet even though smoking accessories are no longer the norm. More importantly, you’ll learn all the main ways to use that outlet to improve your driving experience.
What Does 12V Mean in a Car?
Whenever you see the term ‘12v’ anywhere in or about your car, the term refers to the vehicle’s 12v auxiliary power outlet. Of course, the precise location of the outlet differs between car brands and models. Still, you’ll likely find yours in the middle of the dashboard, closer to the bottom.
The term '12v' might seem unfamiliar to you because many people still call it the car cigarette lighter instead.
Once upon a time, the outlet was primarily used to heat a small push-button cigarette lighter. Pushing that button would connect the lighter to the 12-volt power supply. Then, that power would heat up the lighter just enough for you to get a cigarette or cigar going.
A few decades ago, smoking accessories like that 12-volt cigarette lighter came standard with others like built-in ashtrays. Of course, that’s not the case anymore these days. However, the 12v auxiliary power outlet remains a standard feature that powers many other in-car accessories.
What Is the Use of a 12v Power Outlet in a Car?
Even though they don’t call it a car cigarette lighter anymore, you can still use the 12v power outlet for its same historical purpose.
However, most car owners these days rely on that 12v aux power outlet as an alternative way to power their small, in-car accessories.
As you might already know, most of your car's electrical accessories are hardwired directly to the fuse box. For example, your car has a 12v power supply for a car stereo that wires directly to the fuse box.
However, you wouldn't want to go through the same trouble to connect other smaller car accessories like your phone charger. Hardwiring everything would be too costly and make the process less practical.
So, that’s where the 12v power outlet comes into play. That small plug bridges the gap and allows you to run smaller, low-voltage appliances in your car whenever you want to.
The outlet’s presence on your dashboard allows you to enjoy a plug-and-play experience with many in-car accessories like phone chargers and even dashcams.
Many auto accessories manufacturers still design their products to include a 12v car cigarette lighter plug. As a result, there’s no shortage of accessories you can buy and plug into your car straight out of the box.
What Can I Plug into My Cigarette Lighter?
You can essentially plug anything into your cigarette lighter as long as it has the 12v plug and doesn’t require much power.
There's a virtually unlimited list of low-voltage car accessories that you can plug into that outlet, and it would be impossible to list them here.
Instead, I’ll name 5 common examples of auto accessories you can plug into a cigarette lighter:
1. Bluetooth Adapters
One of the most common accessories plugged into people’s cigarette lighters is Bluetooth adapters.
While many cars come with hands-free kits and music players built-in as standard features, older cars do not. A workaround is to retrofit the vehicle with those Bluetooth accessories that take power from the 12v auxiliary power supply.
2. Food and Drink Storage
Another popular plug-in accessory is food and drink storage units. These units, like drink coolers and food warmers, will preserve those items until you get to your destination.
Naturally, they’re not as powerful as household appliances. 12 volts won’t heat or cool things as efficiently as those that plug into wall sockets.
Still, these accessories do a good-enough job to remain popular with many drivers.
3. Phone Charger
Next, we have an accessory that isn’t just a nice-to-have but a critical must-have for many people: phone chargers.
These accessories allow you to charge your car while commuting to work or any other destination. That way, you’ll have a charged battery as soon as you park your car at the destination.
Car chargers are essential, especially with smartphones that run power-hungry apps.
4. Air Quality Accessories
Your car’s built-in air conditioner is excellent for cooling, warming, and circulating air. Still, the 12v auxiliary power outlet allows you to plug in other air quality accessories.
Those include humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and even essential oil diffusers if you’d like.
5. USB Adapter
As you've seen from #1 to #4, accessories with a 12v plug can get power from the 12v socket. Still, if that's not enough, you can plug a USB adapter into that socket instead.
Given that most accessories these days rely on USB plugs, having that adapter in your car will allow you to use virtually any accessory you want to.
Does the Cigarette Plug Work When The Car Is Off?
No, most, if not all, cars will not power the cigarette plug while the car is off. You’ll have to at least turn the ignition key to the Accessory or On position to turn the socket on and use your accessories.
Still, you should be very cautious when using the 12v auxiliary power outlet while the engine is off.
Remember: that power has to come from somewhere and that is your car’s battery. Channelling its energy through the 12v socket to power accessories will drain it so much that you can’t start your car again later.
So, as valuable as the cigarette plug is, use it only when the engine is running.
You can learn more about cars at CarpartAU. Check out the blog for frequent updates, including educational blog posts like this one!
By Ray Hasbollah