Lack of DRL and auto headlight options in Prius v Three

I'm correcting myself (and my above post) because I can't see any daytime running lights in the daytime on my Prius v 5 with ATP. So I cmjars is right, no Daytime Running Lights on any US Prius v. The Auto function on my headlight switch, just turns on headlight when the sensor says it is dark enough.

 

I took mine to the dealer and they hooked it up to see if there was an option... nothing found for DRL's but they did turn on my extra options for my alarm like glass breakage and door alarms. So something gained.

 

Well OK forgive me if this is a dumb question but isn't the middle position on the headlight switch (in between full OFF and full headlights ON) useful as daytime running lights? It's what I've been using during the daytime, and I can see in my garage that some headlights are illuminated at that setting ....

 

When I was at the dealership test driving the Prius V five with ATP, a ( Just one) 2012 Prius III hatchback had just arrived. It had LED DRL (located where the turn signals appear to be). The turn signal stalk indicated drl. I like the refresh and now I'm wondering if I should wait a month or 2 for the 2012 Prius III Five. It just made my decision more difficult. LOL to "V" or not to "V". But, the size of V makes those little things trivial. I'm guessing that the LED DRL will eventually make it's way as a minor refresh a few years down the line. It's disappointing that a car with a MSRP of $36k to not offer it. Maybe an after market mod will be available for those of us who would like to have LED DRL. This forum is great! Thanks everyone for the info!!

 

Thanks very much. I changed mine to OFF, so when I open the door the lights go out.

 

if they come out w/power seats and drl's next year i probably will trade up.

 

Guys, please check your engine compartment fuse box. There is a fuse for DRL and mine is missing. I have not confirmed my DRL are/are not working.

 

Yes, it's confirmed that DLR fuse or relay is missing from every 2012 Prius v (wagon) sold in USA because it is not available on any sold in USA.

 

You need Display Audio, Navigation, or a Dealer. I am guessing the Dealer is your only choice.

 

Checking in to confirm that I am able to customize lights off from the touchscreen in my new v2. Thanks for the tip! Any disadvantages to running with low beams?

 

1) Sooner or later bulbs will burn out. "Real" DRLs use the high beam at reduced intensity, so they burn out less and with a less important bulb. Some Prius have bulbs that are very hard to get to. I have yet to replace a headlight but I have replaced 3 tail lights. Safety wins over money.

2) They use more energy, so gas mileage will go down slightly. "Real" DRLs do not run all the 5 watt marker bulbs, all around the car. 100 watts is not a lot but it is all coming from gasoline eventually. I prefer safety to MPG, but that is me.

3) Under some circumstances headlights glare at other drivers. "Real" DRLs may glare less. Again, I prefer to be seen than to test the uninsured motorist portion of my policy.

4) It will annoy some drivers to switch the Instrument Panel lights between day and night intensity.

 

I'm wondering if one our Canadian brothers could pull said relay and tell us the specs/part number ... normal open normal closed, single or double pole...etc. maybe we in the us can simply aquire the relay and boom - we have drl.
anyone try it? I mean clearly the car is wired for it. They wouldn't make an entirely separate vehicle with and without. The only thing would be if the ECU modules are programmed different - I'm guessing not - I'm guessing that when the key is on, voltage is applied to a pin in the fuse box, but doesn't go anywhere because the relay that passes that voltage to the lights is missing.

 

This is what I posted earlier. The relay is a DENSO 90987-04004 156700-0860 12v, and on the back 9n19.
DRL's on the v and any other 'missing' features?[/URL]

 

DRL's on the v and any other 'missing' features?[/URL]

I will try that link again.

 

Thanks Schmuly, I will look into it ...

I briefly popped the fuse cover off the other day - but I can't be certain if the DRL socket was wired. I didn't have a flashlight on me at the time to see if there were pins down in the socket. I will try to look further....in the next few days.

I know - my v2 has the photocell sensor as while headlights are on - the dash lights will go from dimmed stated to full bright when the sensor sees sunlight for longer than about 10 seconds during my morning commute.

One thing I noticed in reading theough the manual - is that the light switch itself is different. there's no DRL on the switch where the manual indicates an override off position for times when you are at a drive-in, etc.

I think I simple relay may do the trick though - and possibly an override switch which could be added to one of the open switchbays by the headlight dimmer.

 

Mine doesn't say DRL on the headlight switch, see pic

 

I called Toyota the other day and filed a formal complaint about no DRLs on the Prius v. They told me several other owners had called in with the same concern. I asked why they were not included while the regular Prius and all the Canadian v's had them. They said that info was "proprietary", which I took to mean they did not want to give us any more for our money.

 

Make sure your car is in the ready state - then hit the setup button on the radio - you should see 'vehicle' I think...
and then scroll thru the options it will let you change... it's something like headlight timer - mine is set to off. I have a v2. if you can't find it there, it may be a tech tool only setting - that you need the dealer for.