Daylight Running Lights

[Capemayal]

I am in the USA, and have a new 2007 Prius, package #4. I thought it came with DRL's, but it doesn't.

Does anyone know if there's a way to activate them?

In my 2005 Dodge Caravan, it was just a simple matter of changing the country code in the body computer to Canada.

Thanks in advance.

[jayman]

A few Americans who have moved to Canada have had to go through a lot more than 30 minutes with a dealer scan tool. If I recall it involved having a DRL module installed. The wiring is a bit different.

For example, my Prius has two sensors on the upper left side of the dash. One is for the climate control, the other is for the Auto headlight control.

[Capemayal]

Thanks for your response so quickly.

I forgot to say that I do not have the auto headlight system, and I have HID headlights. Silly me for believing the salesman when he said it did have DRL.

I swear by them. I know they saved me at least 1/2 dozen times here in rural Cape May County.

Thanks again.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CapeMayAl @ Jan 11 2007, 06:33 PM) [snapback]374424[/snapback]</div>

I am in the USA, and have a new 2007 Prius, package #4. I thought it came with DRL's, but it doesn't.

Does anyone know if there's a way to activate them?

In my 2005 Dodge Caravan, it was just a simple matter of changing the country code in the body computer to Canada.

Thanks in advance.
[/b]

[barbaram]

Guess you will have to just join the rest of us who put the lights on when we drive.
Sometimes I don't, sometime I think they are critical.

[Capemayal]

Thanks.

I'm gonna try to get the dealer to get it done on their dime. After all, I did put it in the list of things I wanted, and they told me they were there.

I'll see how it goes, and let you know.

Thanks again,
Al

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(barbaram @ Jan 11 2007, 08:50 PM) [snapback]374489[/snapback]</div>

Guess you will have to just join the rest of us who put the lights on when we drive.
Sometimes I don't, sometime I think they are critical.
[/b]

[seasalsa]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CapeMayAl @ Jan 11 2007, 05:30 PM) [snapback]374481[/snapback]</div>

I forgot to say that I do not have the auto headlight system, and I have HID headlights. .

[/b]

I thought all US Prius had Auto Off headlights. I run with my lights on all the time. When I park and open the drivers’ side door the lights turn off automatically.

[DanMan32]

Yes, it has auto-off. Auto-off isn't foolproof though. There are situations where you can accidentally leave the lights on, such as entering from the passenger side, powering up to say get a CD out of the changer, and power off, then exit and lock from the passenger door.

HIDs are not designed to easily accomodate DRLs. An aftermarket approach would be in order, perhaps using the fog lamps.

[ml194152]

Don't run your headlights in broad daylight. It annoys the other drivers on the road.

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(seasalsa @ Jan 11 2007, 07:02 PM) [snapback]374522[/snapback]</div>

I thought all US Prius had Auto Off headlights. I run with my lights on all the time. When I park and open the drivers’ side door the lights turn off automatically.
[/b]

That's different from auto headlights which include Auto-ON in addition to Auto-Off

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jan 12 2007, 02:09 AM) [snapback]374571[/snapback]</div>

That's different from auto headlights which include Auto-ON in addition to Auto-Off
[/b]

You're right, I forgot to mention that. The American Prius cars have Auto Off, so if a driver wanted to, they could leave the headlight switch to On and drive that way all the time. Once they powered down and exited, they headlights turn off, with some caveats as Dan mentioned.

With the Canadian Auto On headlights, the sensor in the dash is for ambient light. The headlight switch has an additional position - "Auto" - to allow you to defeat the sensor if you know the car will be in a dark garage.

In daytime only the DRL is on at reduced intensity. When it gets darker, or say in the underground parking at my condo, then the normal low beam headlights turn on, along with the taillights, and the dash and MFD brightness are different.