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level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashboard

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by konakahuna, Nov 3, 2004.

  1. konakahuna

    konakahuna Junior Member

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    i'm on a waiting list for my prius, but renting one for the week from enterprise to soothe my restlessness.
    one thing i'm noticing on this drive that i didn't notice on my first "test drive" is that the illumination on the steering wheel controls seem incredibly dim. i've got the dimmer up as high as it goes without clicking into it's highest setting and the controls are still hard to see.
    i have 20/20 vision with no nightblindness. i could swear this wasn't an issue on the other prius i drove. has anyone else experienced this? could my rental possibly have a mechanical issue?

    david r.

    p.s. one of the things i will miss about my passat is how everything is backlit. all window lift buttons, airvent flow knobs, etc. it looks like a submarine!
     
    #1 konakahuna, Nov 3, 2004
  2. aarons12

    aarons12 New Member

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    i agree, the backlighting especially on the steering wheel controls is quite dim.
     
    #2 aarons12, Nov 3, 2004
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    It's pretty dim, I agree. But it really becomes a non-issue very quickly b/c you learn the buttons by touch and don't really need to look down for them very often at all.
     
    #3 efusco, Nov 3, 2004
  4. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    Re: level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashb

    It's adjustable using the scan tool at your Toyota Dealership.

    Nate
     
    #4 naterprius, Nov 3, 2004
  5. heliotropehead

    heliotropehead New Member

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    Re: level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashb

    What the heck is a scan tool?
     
    #5 heliotropehead, Nov 3, 2004
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    It's a hand held multipurpose computer tool that pulgs into and outlet under your steering wheel. It is simultaneously a code reader and a programming tool. There are a large number of customizable features in the Prius (and other cars) that you don't know about but that exist and can be changed via the use of this scan tool.
     
    #6 efusco, Nov 3, 2004
  7. heliotropehead

    heliotropehead New Member

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    Re: level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashb

    Wonderful. So should I ever manage to make an appointment with the local Prius tech, he will supposedly know how to use the scan tool to customize the features in my car?
    Aside from making the interior wheel a bit brighter, what else can the scan tool be used to change?

    As this is my first loaded car, I too am having problems finding buttons at night.
     
    #7 heliotropehead, Nov 3, 2004
  8. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Re: level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashb

    The attached PDF is a partial list. I think there are a lot more, but they're not conviniently located in one spot (that I can find).
     
    #8 efusco, Nov 3, 2004
  9. heliotropehead

    heliotropehead New Member

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    Re: level of backlighting on steering wheel controls / dashb

    Thank you.
     
    #9 heliotropehead, Nov 3, 2004
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