level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashboard

konakahuna · 11-03-2004, 07:34 AM

i'm on a waiting list for my prius, but renting one for the week from enterprise to soothe my restlessness.
one thing i'm noticing on this drive that i didn't notice on my first "test drive" is that the illumination on the steering wheel controls seem incredibly dim. i've got the dimmer up as high as it goes without clicking into it's highest setting and the controls are still hard to see.
i have 20/20 vision with no nightblindness. i could swear this wasn't an issue on the other prius i drove. has anyone else experienced this? could my rental possibly have a mechanical issue?

david r.

p.s. one of the things i will miss about my passat is how everything is backlit. all window lift buttons, airvent flow knobs, etc. it looks like a submarine!

aarons12 · 11-03-2004, 07:57 AM

i agree, the backlighting especially on the steering wheel controls is quite dim.

**efusco** · 11-03-2004, 09:21 AM

It's pretty dim, I agree. But it really becomes a non-issue very quickly b/c you learn the buttons by touch and don't really need to look down for them very often at all.

naterprius · 11-03-2004, 09:45 AM

It's adjustable using the scan tool at your Toyota Dealership.

Nate

heliotropehead · 11-03-2004, 09:56 AM

What the heck is a scan tool?

**efusco** · 11-03-2004, 09:58 AM

Quote:

What the heck is a scan tool?

It's a hand held multipurpose computer tool that pulgs into and outlet under your steering wheel. It is simultaneously a code reader and a programming tool. There are a large number of customizable features in the Prius (and other cars) that you don't know about but that exist and can be changed via the use of this scan tool.

heliotropehead · 11-03-2004, 10:08 AM

Wonderful. So should I ever manage to make an appointment with the local Prius tech, he will supposedly know how to use the scan tool to customize the features in my car?
Aside from making the interior wheel a bit brighter, what else can the scan tool be used to change?

As this is my first loaded car, I too am having problems finding buttons at night.

**efusco** · 11-03-2004, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Wonderful. So should I ever manage to make an appointment with the local Prius tech, he will supposedly know how to use the scan tool to customize the features in my car?
Aside from making the interior wheel a bit brighter, what else can the scan tool be used to change?

As this is my first loaded car, I too am having problems finding buttons at night.

The attached PDF is a partial list. I think there are a lot more, but they're not conviniently located in one spot (that I can find).

heliotropehead · 11-03-2004, 12:02 PM

Thank you.

11-03-2004, 07:34 AM	#1
konakahuna Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 60 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashboard i'm on a waiting list for my prius, but renting one for the week from enterprise to soothe my restlessness. one thing i'm noticing on this drive that i didn't notice on my first "test drive" is that the illumination on the steering wheel controls seem incredibly dim. i've got the dimmer up as high as it goes without clicking into it's highest setting and the controls are still hard to see. i have 20/20 vision with no nightblindness. i could swear this wasn't an issue on the other prius i drove. has anyone else experienced this? could my rental possibly have a mechanical issue? david r. p.s. one of the things i will miss about my passat is how everything is backlit. all window lift buttons, airvent flow knobs, etc. it looks like a submarine!

11-03-2004, 09:45 AM	#4
naterprius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,830 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashb It's adjustable using the scan tool at your Toyota Dealership. Nate

11-03-2004, 09:56 AM	#5
heliotropehead Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Posts: 701 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashb What the heck is a scan tool?

11-03-2004, 10:08 AM	#7
heliotropehead Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Posts: 701 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashb Wonderful. So should I ever manage to make an appointment with the local Prius tech, he will supposedly know how to use the scan tool to customize the features in my car? Aside from making the interior wheel a bit brighter, what else can the scan tool be used to change? As this is my first loaded car, I too am having problems finding buttons at night.

11-03-2004, 12:02 PM	#9
heliotropehead Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Posts: 701 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashb Thank you.

11-03-2004, 07:57 AM	#2
aarons12 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: long island, NY Posts: 705 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	i agree, the backlighting especially on the steering wheel controls is quite dim.

11-03-2004, 09:21 AM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 12,829 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 20	It's pretty dim, I agree. But it really becomes a non-issue very quickly b/c you learn the buttons by touch and don't really need to look down for them very often at all.

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