High beam / Low beam switch

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Apr 9 2006, 07:32 AM) [snapback]237112[/snapback]</div>

:blink:

Uhhh.... what an odd thing to be thinking about.

:blink:

I've seen every other question about the Prius asked multiple times in multiple ways.

:blink:

You pull it toward you to switch modes.

:blink:

whew... congratulations on asking something new!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusham @ Apr 9 2006, 08:43 AM) [snapback]237116[/snapback]</div>

My 2006 and Barb's 2005 must be broken. Ours is push/pull. You push forward for high beams, you pull it back for low beams.

- Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Apr 9 2006, 08:41 AM) [snapback]237124[/snapback]</div>

Oh, I get it. Just like the 2000 GMC Sierra I used to have, you'd pull the turn signal lever towards you and click for high beams, then pull again to click for low beams. To just flash the high beams you had to be careful to pull the turn signal stalk almost to the click point. I didn't like it.

With most Asian and EU cars, you push the turn signal stalk forward for high beams, and pull back to the middle detent for low/dipped beams. The detent for high and low is very easy to find, very intuitive. To flash the high beams, you pull the turn signal stalk towards you, which is a spring-loaded position. Once you release the turn signal stalk goes back to the default - low beam - position.

Hope this helps

 

Here is how it is on my 2006 (Feb2006 build) with HID headlights.

• When the headlights are on, you push for high beams and pull back to the "neutral" position for lows. You may flash highs by a momentary pull on the stalk.

• When the headlights are off, flashing highs is accomplished by the familiar momentary pull action.

A drawback of the push-pull system is that high beams will remain engaged until you withdraw the stalk to the neutral position. So if you park with your highs on at night, they'll still be on the next time you fire up the headlights.

Is there perhaps a difference between HID and non-HID lights?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Apr 9 2006, 10:21 AM) [snapback]237170[/snapback]</div>

Ummm, I don't think so. I'm not in my car at the moment, as you might feigure out, but if I recall correctly I need to push to get high beams to stay on. I pull if I was to blink high beams in response to someone who thinks I am driving with nigh beams on.

 

in my 05: push forward for high beams, pull back to original place for low beams.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Apr 9 2006, 11:21 AM) [snapback]237170[/snapback]</div>

Hmmm I think most cars are like that. For example, my former 2000 GMC Sierra if I was driving somewhere at night and shut it off still on high beam, the next time I turned on my headlights they would still be on high beam.

My old 1984 Ford F-150 has the floor dimmer switch, and it works the same way. If you stomp the button for high beam, then park somewhere for the night, the next time you turn on the lights the highs are still on.

After driving vehicles with turn-signal high beam switches, I now find it very awkward to stomp on a floor dimmer. The only thing worse would be going back to a clutch.

 

Yes, this is true of any mechanical two-position switch. A floor switch is usually alternate push-on/push-off.

We've become so accustomed to the momentary-action pull stalk that it's unusual to have a high-beam switch that remains in the last position you set it.

 

Even worse is going back to an old vehicle that has a carb and a choke knob, like my 1984 Ford F-150 with an Edelbrock carb.

Not the first time I've cranked away wondering why the hell it won't start, then smacking my forehead. "Oh right, I have to yank out the choke knob and pump the pedal a couple of times ..." VROOOM