Adding automatic headlight feature

[prius_in_texas]

Last night, I wonder why people were pointing at my Prius, like I was some damn tree-hugger or something. About 3/4 of the way home, I realized I forgot to turn on my lights! In previous car, I can tell if my lights aren't on because the dashboard is dark. However, in the Prius, the electronic dashboard is always light up, so it is much easier for forget your lights. Also, our other car, a '99 Corolla, has an automatic headlight feature... if it gets dark, the headlights come on automatically.

So how hard/expensive would it be for me to get this feature hooked up in my new Prius? I wish I had thought to bargain to put this feature when I was dealing for this car (Houston dealers don't seem to be making the great deals that the Calif. dealers are...). Thanks, y'all!

[subarutoo]

The same thing happened to me. The neon dash looks like the lights are already on. Rookie mistake. It should only happen once, though.

[seasalsa]

I don't have that problem, I just leave them on all the time and use the auto off feature.

There is also a headlight indicator on the instrument panel so you can tell when they are on or off.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by prius_in_texas

About 3/4 of the way home, I realized I forgot to turn on my lights! In previous car, I can tell if my lights aren't on because the dashboard is dark.

Interesting the Canadian market Prius comes with auto headlights *and* DRL's. If you look in the extreme left corner of your dash, near the windshield, you will notice two sensors: one is for the A/C, the other is for the auto headlights

Additionally, the Canadian market Prius headlight switch has an extra position: Auto

You can just leave the headlights switched to On all the time. You just have to be careful to exit the car in such a way the Auto Off feature works correctly.

A few forum members have managed to drain their battery by opening the passenger door first, so the headlights stayed on.

[Bear68]

You actually have a couple of options:

1) You can simply leave the lights on all the time....(Easiest solution)

2) I have installed relays on several Prii that were sold to customers who were planning to drive them home to Canada. The relay was simply wired to provide a ground source for the headlight switch wire when the ignition was turned on. (Very simple to create and install)

[firepa63]

There is definitely a difference in brightness of the dash lights with the headlights off or on. Make sure the brightness thumbwheel is not turned all the way up.

[airbusdriver]

Jayman, do you have a simple diagram to install the automotive relay for "ignition on lights"? Wire location, color, ect.

I like that idea much better than leaving the switch on all the time.

I appreciate your input.

[airbusdriver]

Sorry, bear68, the previous post was for you. Any help with install would be nice.

[prius_in_texas]

Originally Posted by firepa63

There is definitely a difference in brightness of the dash lights with the headlights off or on. Make sure the brightness thumbwheel is not turned all the way up.

Yeah, that's what I'm going to try. The opposite of the conventional cars I've owned.

Thanks for everyone's advice!

[Flying White Dutchman]

Originally Posted by jayman

Interesting the Canadian market Prius comes with auto headlights *and* DRL's. If you look in the extreme left corner of your dash, near the windshield, you will notice two sensors: one is for the A/C, the other is for the auto headlights

Additionally, the Canadian market Prius headlight switch has an extra position: Auto

You can just leave the headlights switched to On all the time. You just have to be careful to exit the car in such a way the Auto Off feature works correctly.

A few forum members have managed to drain their battery by opening the passenger door first, so the headlights stayed on.

i was looking for that 2 but apparently the EU prius also has no auto switch

i am also hoping i can install the bears solution with the relay