the parking lights will stay on if you do something special. that is, if your drivers side door is closed and you get into the car and put the key in through your passenger side and then you take the key out and close your door, your parking lights willl stay on. you have to go around to the drivers side door and open it and they'll turn off. now if you get in and out of your drivers side door then they'll turn off no matter what. i learned that too and now thats what i do to keep my led strips on at shows w/o having my key in the car. i just open the passenger side door, insert the key, turn just one click, and then take the key out and close the door. or you can have your drivers window down and do the same and they'll stay on as well