Is the mirror switch supposed to be illuminated?

When driving tonight I noticed that there was no illumination of the mirror and dimmer controls on the left side of the dash. Is this the way it's supposed to be? Seems like it should be illuminated like all other controls on the dash.

Beed,

I've also found that the notorius "headlight washer" switch we V owners posess isn't illuminated either.

I stand corrected. I verified just now that the headlight washer switch is illuminated. The dimmer switch and the mirror switch are not.

Sadly, no. IMO a cheapout by Toyota. I've hit the headlight washer once, early on, trying to fumble for the mirror switch. No excuse for no illumination - sorry.

Toyota could have saved .05 per car somewhere else to invest in the lighting an important control as this. Past threads have covered this. Some of the safety ergonomics in the Prius has a bit to be desired.

Don't get me wrong - I'm nit picking here, but for a vehicle the class of the Prius these details should have been covered...

no, and it's not on my wife' Suzuki. I was thinking of aiming an LED at it from the door panel, much like they did for the "shifter"

Thanks for the responses. It does seem bizarre that that whole area of the dash is dark. And the controls used look just like the type that allow light through. I guess I was just being optimistic,

Another post here mentioned this several months ago, and it was mentioned that it is un-illuminated for a 'safety-reason'. Their logic is that you should be adjusting your mirrors when in park, and BEFORE being underway.

My logic partially agrees, but then the 'real-world' side of my brain kicks in and says, but I often need to adjust the mirrors as I drive especially at night to avoid very bright lights behinds be me. Now, as they are not lit up, I am fumbling in the dark to locate the switch and finally lower my mirrors a tad.

While someone else mentioned this is a 'cheapout' by Toyota, I think it is simply a mis-guided attempt at safety. Then again, they could possibly get sued by someone, using illuminated buttons to move it while driving and crashing... Man I have litigious people.

Hmm, if it was for the sake of "safety" - then why not disable the use of any seating controls, steering tilt/telescope, changing of radio stations, movement of rearview mirror, MID controls, etc etc. C'mon folks..... So now we must fumble around in the dark, lose our concentration on the road, get irritated, etc etc. Either an oversight or cheapout by Toyota...

The headlight washer button on my 2010 Prius V is illuminated, but only when the lights are on. Are you sure about yours? Trying turning up the brightness of the internal lights (the little rotary switch on the dashboard right next to the headlight washer switch).

I am driving a Prius V with AT today (as my baby is in the shop for a Navigation issue), and it's button for the headlight washer is also illuminated. (However, I did notice that on the rental one, only the driver's window button is illuminated, and the other three are dark) ?

I have a V - early build, May - headlight washer button NOT illuminated. Have made the mistake twice of 'washing my hood' at night while trying to adjust the outside mirrors....

Wonder if they made a running change? Anyone else have their's lighted????

I will say that I have noticed several differences between my Prius V Navi, and this Prius V AT. I will have a more careful look over the weekend, and try to summarize all the differences that I see.

I looked at the window buttons just now and realized that if the window lockout switch is off (everything works), all four window switches are lit up. If the window lockout switch is on (only driver window works), the other three lights go out -- as do the window switch lights on the other doors! Pretty cool, IMHO.

The darker the dash the better in my opinion. You shouldn't be adjusting the mirrors while driving so it shouldn't be an issue.

DeanFL,

You may want to check into that with the dealer...It may be there just a bad bulb or connection. My build was early as well and I have a backlit Washer Button...checked last night based on this post....so worth a shot at the dealer I guess....

You've never adjusted your body in the seat on a long drive and had to adjust the mirrors, or had some clown behind you with his brights on and needed to adjust the mirrors?

NO, if I notice my mirrors are no longer correctly aligned I realise I have begun to slouch so I sit up.

I never do this. The only time I ever need to adjust my mirrors is if someone else changed the adjustment. I try to do this before pulling away.

Tom

how well does a "headlight washer" really work? Is there a wiper blad on it too? The first time I used my rear window washer I had to laugh and I thought to myself...all that material and effort to swipe an area that small???

There's no wiper for it, but as you may remember the models that did, those became useless in time. But I see benefit from it when driving in sloppy weather conditions or in my case in the Northeast and wanting to wash away the salt spray in winter. That will be a benefit due to the LED lighting and keeping the lenses somewhat clean for better visibility.

So I am glad I have it. Have tried it and it sprays across the lenses well and of course a little of the hood but in winter who would care..your car is a sloppy mess with salt and road grime so at least the headlights will be relatively clean!