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Auto headlight modification on the Gen 4?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by JosephG, May 29, 2018.

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  1. JosephG

    JosephG Active Member

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    I know in the 3rd generation, all that was needed was to connect the existinge light detector to the headlights and replace the stalk. Is this still the case in the 4th generation? I see what appears to be a light detector in the middle of the dash, but it doesn't seem to do anything. Not even my head unit changes brightness automatically .


    It just drives me a little crazy that a Corolla gets fillfull headlights and my Prius doesn't even though the sensor is right there. If the process is similar to the Gen 3 I would like to try adding automatic headlight capability.
     
    #1 JosephG, May 29, 2018
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  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Headlight wand on AUTO?
    upload_2018-5-30_10-58-23.png

    Is the switch on - near your right knee?
    upload_2018-5-30_10-57-28.png
     
    #2 alanclarkeau, May 29, 2018
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  3. JosephG

    JosephG Active Member

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    There is no auto on my headlight wand. The high beams are already set to auto and work perfectly.
     
    #3 JosephG, May 30, 2018
  4. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    If I remember rightly, the screen brightness is adjusted via the wheel and MID settings...
    .. But, if it is set to max then the screens will not dim with dusk and reduced ambient light levels. Best is to set it just under Max brilliance and then the screens and the HUD will also dim with the outside light.
     
    #4 RCO, May 30, 2018
  5. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Must not be auto headlights on Model One, although it has auto high beams? Strange...
     
    #5 RRxing, May 30, 2018
  6. Hidyho

    Hidyho Senior Member

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    Looking at Toyota site, Model 1 does not have auto on feature, that's dumb.
     
    #6 Hidyho, May 30, 2018
  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    If that's the case, I suspect you're stuck with NO Auto headlights, sorry. It's almost impossible to add features which weren't bought as part of your original choice of vehicle. Next car, hopefully.
     
    #7 alanclarkeau, May 30, 2018
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It wasn't all that bad in Gen 3, if you consider pulling off the top of the dash, and adding a couple wires, not all that bad. But the OP already knew that....

    -Chap
     
    #8 ChapmanF, May 30, 2018
  9. JosephG

    JosephG Active Member

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    Hmm, ok I looked a little more and it seems they actually spent money making new electronics for just the One and Two trims to differentiate them from the higher trims to eliminate automatic headlights and dimming of the dash. That's too bad since it still has the ambient light detector and the camera for auto high-beams so it's just a crippled system.

    Oh well, I'll probably just leave my lights on all the time in this case.
     
    #9 JosephG, May 31, 2018
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  10. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Just to prove Occam's Razor... the simplest solution is generally the correct one. You hit the nail on the head!
     
    #10 RCO, Jun 1, 2018
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  11. dbf

    dbf Member

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    I have the Two trim and no auto headlights. If I leave the headlights on full (not daytime running lights) they stay on when I shut down. Not having auto headlights was a surprising disappointment as I had auto headlights in the 2006 Corolla that I traded in and having to turn the headlights on and off is almost as bad as having a manual transmission lol! Ok, that's somewhat an exaggeration. But, I was pulled over at dusk shortly after I bought the car as I wasn't in the habit of dealing with manual headlights yet.
     
    #11 dbf, Aug 19, 2018
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  12. dbf

    dbf Member

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    Leaving the daytime driving lights on works as far as not having to mess with the lights when you shut down, but the daytime driving lights don't put out the full amount of light for night time driving. If you leave the full headlights on when you shut down, you will get a warning for leaving your lights on.
     
    #12 dbf, Aug 19, 2018
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  13. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    #13 krmcg, Aug 19, 2018
  14. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Problem is - DRLs don't have any lights at the rear of the car.
     
    #14 alanclarkeau, Aug 19, 2018
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  15. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    I have the "Auto" function, but never tried it. I guess I should try driving at night one time? :)










    ​
     
    #15 Starship16, Aug 19, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2018
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  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    No, it's not like that. Auto-on/off headlights have been on most cars for decades, and if you're used to it, it comes as a potential malfunction when you drive a car which doesn't do it.

    My first car with it was in '74.
     
    #16 alanclarkeau, Aug 20, 2018
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  17. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    That was a joke. Has since been edited. ;)
     
    #17 Starship16, Aug 20, 2018
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  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    The headlights by default stay on for a fixed time. I changed my setting so they turn off immediately. Check the customizations section of the manual.
     
    #18 Prodigyplace, Aug 20, 2018
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  19. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    My last few cars had auto wipers, but my Prius doesn't. I've not had a problem with switching them manually once. It rains, I notice! If thewipers don't come on, I notice and activate them. It gets darker, I notice and if the lights don't come on I'd notice that as well. Isn't this making a bit of a mountain out of a molehill?
     
    #19 RCO, Aug 20, 2018
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  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    You would think you would notice when it gets dark but, a dusk especially, some people just end up using their DRLs as headlights either by choice or by accident.
    In many places in the US, if you have your windscreen wipers on, your headlights are supposed to be on too
     
    #20 Prodigyplace, Aug 20, 2018
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