A few niggles on the '10

Update on my original post on this thread - #1 niggle. Panel light dimmer not backlit. Add another. 2010 Side mirrors adjustment control not backlit.

Out driving during the day yesterday. Let my 5'3" girlfriend (owner of Gen I) drive home. Then we went out late last night and I decided to drive.
We both got into the car, I started it and began to adjust the seat and check the mirrors. All needed adjustment. I looked down at the left dash area where the mirror adjustment is and began pushing the square button around. Hmm, left mirror not moving - right side, nope. Then she said "Is it beginning to rain"? I looked on the windshield and there were droplets on the lower windshield. Put on the wipers. Then put on the dome light and checked the mirror switch. I was moving the headlight washer control switch! It feels exactly the same (square) as the mirror control. The $&%#! headlight washers were activated instead of the mirror control. Went outside and the entire hood, bumper, and fenders were soaking wet with sudsy liquid. Got a microfiber towel and dried the best I could. Back into the car and finally saw that the only switch on the left dash panel backlit is the headlight washer. The mirror control and panel light dimmer - no lights.

So two findings.
1. Once again the headlight washer IMO is a complete waste of engineering and cost for the consumer. And they are terribly overpowered. I can imagine at highway speed they may not reach as high as the windshield - but poor design standing still or moderate speed. Unless my car is filthy and plan to wash it the next day - I would never use this "feature". Even though it is automatic if the lights are on and the windshield washer is activated (dumb...).

2. Why is this washer control backlit and the other two adjacent switch panels lights and mirrors, both safety related - not?

I would much rather had a useful safety-related feature built into the V such as side mirror signal lights than these washers. If the washers are mandated in Europe, fine. But give us a useful feature.

Off my soapbox.

 

I understand, spending many years in IL and MA - the salt and yuck. They would be fine in snowy environments - but if you ever have a chance see how the ones in the Prius V make a mess of the entire front end. Imagine if the standard windshield washers spraying all over the top of the car (sunroof too) as well as the rear window every time used.

And if they really are crucial...they should then be standard on all cars and all model Prii.

I know it sounds as if I'm making a big deal about those unlit switch panels, but it is irritating to try to feel around for important items as that. really no excuse not to have them backlit on a car like the Prius. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE the Prius; but like anything, improvements can be made. And not many for the '10 - Toyota got so much right.

 

I would guess they operate more like a 'pressure washer' to blast stuff off. All I know is that (by mistake on 3 occasions since I had the V) the fluid gets all over the hood, bumper, and up to the windshield. It really makes a mess.

Tideland - I understand in winter, with crud on the lights, it would be good to have a feature as this especially during long stretches of highway travel. It just seems to be counter-productive to make such a mess.

But, what really irks me is that "automatic mode" when Toyota insists the headlights be sprayed if the lights are on and I decide to clean the windshield. I'd like that operation to be my Choice.