Help! Dashboard lights turn off when I turn on headlights at night!!!.

Yes, you have them dimmed all the way. When headlights are off they go to full brightness. Find that dimmer knob to the left of the steering wheel, on the dashboard.

 

check the dashboard lights dimmer on left hand side below the vent. It by the side mirror adjustments.

 

Dimmer is turned down. Left side of steering wheel look down by your knee. You will see a panel with four spaces. The one has a dial or wheel. That is the dimmer switch or rheostat to adjust the dash brightness.

 

Wow dude, your living in your car???
Well, at least it's a nice car.

 

Why can't the dash still be fully lit even when the lights are on?

It drive me nuts. I leave my headlights on all the time as DRL's.

 

You probably played with it during the day and didn't see any difference, so accidentally left it at minimum.

Wiserone: Turn the brightness all the way up. Now turn past that. Presto! Bright lights!

 

By default, the 2010 Prius headlights turn off 30 seconds after you open one of the front doors after you turn off the car. The dealer can change it to 0 seconds, like the 2009 and before. If you never open a front door, it never automatically turns off.

 

I gotta try this again. My other car does this but when I tried it with the prius the little knob didn't turn anymore.

 

I was about to call shenanigans since I tried it and it didn't work. I couldn't get it to turn anymore. Then I turned with some extra force confident that I couldn't break it. It clicked and worked.

I guess I just needed to break-in the button since its never been touched.

 

To help you avoid a dead battery, bear this in mind.

If your headlights are clicked off and the car is off, then you go to the car and turn on the headlights without starting the car and then leave them on, they will NOT turn off.

 

It can. Just turn the dimmer all the way up until it clicks. Dash will stay full brightness at all times.

 

Dummest.
Feature.
Ever.

 

Why do you want it so bright at night anyway? Glad you figured it out.

 

It can. If you turn that dimmer wheel everyone has been talking about all the way until it clicks, the dash will be fully lit.

 

I had the same issue, but did not know what was causing it until I read this thread. Thanks everyone for the info. I my case I think it was the full service car wash, they do a good job cleaning the dash, but they move the nobs and such when they clean.