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Headlights Position 3 Auto Switch? Missing?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by scwolfe, Apr 13, 2005.

  1. scwolfe

    scwolfe New Member

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    Hi all,
    I just completed reading cover to cover, all of the manuals that come with the Prius. In the 2005 Owner's Manual, page 102, it describes a "Auto" headlight switch, position 3. I only have the described positions 1 & 2, does anyone have the position 3 on their headlight switch? I have Package #3, so I would have assumed I would have all options. I have not asked the dealer yet, but I will.
    Thanks, Steve
     
    #1 scwolfe, Apr 13, 2005
  2. Prolene

    Prolene New Member

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    I have wondered about Auto headlight myself. I read about it in the manual, and I have BC(#6) Option Package. I do not have Auto headlight in my Prius, and all option packages on Toyota's website make no mention of that option. Puzzling. Last year's option, or non North America, or...?

    <Prius Option Packages>
     
    #2 Prolene, Apr 13, 2005
  3. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    Short Answer - Yes, it's missing.

    Long Answer - DRL (Daytime Running Lights) operate by running the bulb at reduced power. It's intent is to make you visible, not help you see.

    HID Bulbs can not be run at reduced power, so without a second bulb you cannot use DRL on HID Vehicles.

    The Prius does not have a second bulb.

    So, for markets where HIDs are available, they had two options.

    1) Put DRL on the Non-HID cars

    2) Leave out DRL in that market.

    They chose option 2.

    The manual is wrong. What's surprising is that they haven't corrected it yet.

    If you look up to the left on the front dash, you will see knockouts for two sensors, only one of which is occuppied. The empty one is where the DRL sensor would go.

    Before you ask, No one has been able to figure out how to retro-fit DRL to cars that come without it.
     
    #3 Tempus, Apr 13, 2005
  4. scwolfe

    scwolfe New Member

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    Tempus, thanks for your comprehensive answer. Glad I asked. Steve
     
    #4 scwolfe, Apr 13, 2005
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Automatic Headlights are standard in Canada but we don't get HIDs. Why auto-headlights can't be combined with HIDs is beyond me
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Apr 13, 2005
  6. Erick

    Erick Member

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    I actually keep my headlights in the "ON" position all the time. When you open up the driver's door they automatically turn off. Is it bad to keep these on all the time? I figure it's safer to drive with them on during the day, especailly since I have a silver one.
     
    #6 Erick, Apr 13, 2005
  7. addison1062

    addison1062 New Member

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    I wouldn't want to retrofit Auto On/Off DLRs, but if it was possible, I would love to retrofit it as Auto On/Off for my normal lights like I used to have in my old car. That was cool feature.
     
    #7 addison1062, Apr 13, 2005
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well I don't mind DRLs since I can see the oncoming cars more easily but keep in mind that most drivers are considerate enough to use their headlights in poor weather. Proof? Yesterday on the way home from university, it just started to rain heavily and hail was mixed in it too. It was heavy enough that I had to leave the rear wiper on "HI" to keep it clear which as you all know is almost unnecessary in most weather conditions. While at a light, I counted 10 cars. 9 with headlights on, 1 without (it was a Pathfinder).
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Apr 13, 2005
  9. Goughy

    Goughy Junior Member

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    A new California law effective from July 1, 2005 requires headlights whenever the wipers are in continuous use. See http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24400.htm for details.

    This would be a useful automatic switch to have.

    -Richard
     
    #9 Goughy, Apr 13, 2005
  10. Prolene

    Prolene New Member

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    There is a difference between DRLs and HIDs, I believe. DRLs remain on all the time, until the regular headlights come on. The Auto feature would turn on the regular headlights when sufficient darkness is sensed. Having the HIDs on and off when going through tunnels, cloudy days, etc., might be a problem?
     
    #10 Prolene, Apr 13, 2005
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Will it? Hmm, if so then what about the high-end cars with auto-headlights?


    What would be nice is if Toyota snuck in the automatic wiper (since Toyota ones, I believe, also have a manual override unlike VWs and others) and have that linked to the auto-headlights. Now, of course that's just laziness on the driver's part since you should have your lights on anyway whenever visibility isn't ideal
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Apr 13, 2005
  12. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Goughy\";p=\"80954)</div>
    That is also the law in my home state, Wisconsin and my current location, North Carolina. I think it is becoming pretty universal.
     
    #12 galaxee, Apr 13, 2005
  13. nevergetany

    nevergetany Junior Member

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    I have a 2007 Prius. I too keep my headlights in the "ON" position all the time. And here is where we need the relay timer to turn the lights off. On several occasions the wife gets out of the car and I stay and snooze....and forget to open the drivers door. Or pick her up from work, and while I am waiting, forget to open the drivers door. On more than 1 occasions I have wound up with a "dead battery and have to call roadside assistance to jump start me. There is probably a way to put in a relay, but I haven't found anyone yet that knows how to do it. I do not think keeping the lights on all the time is going to hurt anything, but it will lessen the life of the bulb.
     
    #13 nevergetany, Mar 19, 2017
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