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display panel, radio lights

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by countrygirl, Oct 5, 2012.

  1. countrygirl

    countrygirl Junior Member

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    Is this normal for a prius. I have owned mine for about 3 weeks now and have noticed something strange. Watching the instrument display and the radio. As I am driving, I notice that every once in a while the light would dim down some and then later brighten back up.
    Thought I would see if this is normal before I go and bug the guys at Toyota.
     
    #1 countrygirl, Oct 5, 2012
  2. 50324prius

    50324prius Junior Member

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    Does it get as dim as when you turn the headlights on? What is the brightness outside when this occures? Is there any variance in the light outside when it happens?
    I would set the adjustment wheel to full brightness and see if it continued
     
    #2 50324prius, Oct 5, 2012
  3. countrygirl

    countrygirl Junior Member

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    Turning on the headlights doesn't affect it at all. I have the dial set to full brightness all the time. The weather here has been sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc....
    Seems to happen no matter what the weather is doing.
     
    #3 countrygirl, Oct 5, 2012
  4. 50324prius

    50324prius Junior Member

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    #4 50324prius, Oct 5, 2012
  5. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    It has some sort of automatic brightness adjustment, depending on the ambient light. I see it most in tunnels or darkly shaded areas. This is new for 2012, my 201o didn't do this.

    Owner's manual, p. 217:
    "Brightness of the instrument panel
    If the headlight switch is turned on while the surrounding area is dark, the instrument panel lights will dim."
     
    #5 fuzzy1, Oct 5, 2012
  6. countrygirl

    countrygirl Junior Member

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    That does sound like an explanation. Wonder why though. Seems like you would want it to be brighter in dark areas.
     
    #6 countrygirl, Oct 5, 2012
  7. User37

    User37 Can spell PRIUS

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    Yes, it is normal. There is a sensor in the front right of the dash, near the corner where the glass reaches the dash.

    The illumination is dimmed in three or four steps. Not every time the steps fit to the light conditions, but in general it is ok.
     
    #7 User37, Oct 6, 2012
  8. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Bright lighting in dark area will hurt your night vision. You want them bright in bright daylight so you can see them.
     
    #8 Jonny Zero, Oct 11, 2012
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