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Haul without Speedo

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Chris in DC, Aug 13, 2013.

  1. Chris in DC

    Chris in DC New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2013
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    Location:
    Triangle, Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Question: I just finished my rental with a 2013 Prius. I found the top-center instrument cluster hard to get used to at night, and the dimming switch did not seem to work smoothly: there was only bright, dim, and off. In "off," the only things on the cluster that remained lit were the "gear" position icons and the hybrid system "ready" indicator. I found it curious that I could actually turn the speedometer off, seemingly by design/choice. Is this a normal function?
     
    #1 Chris in DC, Aug 13, 2013
  2. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Nov 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Model 3. Ambient light sensor, lights on or off, dimmer position...all interplay. But at night I definitely notice a dimming effect when the headlights are switched to the intermediate position on the stalk. Sometimes I'll use that intermediate position as a DRL substitute and then I'll break out into sunny and when I switch to headlights off I get bright displays back. Switch back to headlights on and all the displays go dim. I suppose I set the dimmer switch back when the car was new, now don't ever use it.

    And yes I've had the switches in a position where the displays weren't visible (combination of lights on and dimmer low IIRC) so it is a feature and not a bug <grin>. A little fiddling with the dimmer wheel cured it.
     
    #2 mikefocke, Aug 13, 2013
  3. Chris in DC

    Chris in DC New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2013
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    Location:
    Triangle, Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks, Mike. It just seems like an odd feature to offer. If you're bombing down a highway alone without cruise control and no traffic flow to reference, well, you could be doing 55 or 75 when pulled over.
     
    #3 Chris in DC, Aug 15, 2013
  4. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    You maybe get in the "no display" position once or twice but you eventually settle on a configuration of the switches and stop fiddling and start driving and it never happens again. I don't think I've touched the dimmer for months but, if I did, it had just became instinctual to dial the right brightness that I didn't think about it.

    Certainly wasn't one of the things I noted in my personal best and worst features posting that others added theirs too below.
     
    #4 mikefocke, Aug 15, 2013
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