Headlights & DRL always on, even on auto setting (European model)

You're from Finland so surely know that for decades your laws have required all your cars to operate headlights at all times. Why should the Prius be any different?

Laws and Tips for Driving in Finland - EUroadlegal.co.uk

"All motor vehicles must use dipped headlights at all times of the day regardless of time or weather conditions. This rule applies to built-up and other areas alike."

Same applies to Norway and Sweden and has done since the early 1970s.

 

(I am not familiar with the European model)

Are you saying that in auto, the headlights do not turn off when the car is off?

 

I read that was what he was saying. They won't on the Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish models as their traffic laws still require headlights to operate at ALL times, regardless of weather conditions or time of year. The important word is headlights. Not DRL's.

If I were to get the ferry over to Norway and I forgot to switch my headlights on, I could be in for a big fine.

 

Having legislation that the headlights need to be on, even when the car is off, would sure sell a lot of batteries.

 

So does that not answer your question? Your car is a 2009/2010 model year built/sold when the law was that headlights are always on (obviously when the car is in use and not all the time).

Your car complied with the local law at the time.

 

The 2010 Canadian model also has DRLs but they dropped HIDs. Most models have standard headlight bulbs. LEDs were in only the most expensive model IIRC. I have read that for DRL operation they connect the low beam bulbs in series to reduce power consumption.

That probably doesn't help you much but it occurs to me that in your case they may simply route power from a different terminal on a standard controller switch module. It would be interesting to compare the part number with some other country that has LED DRLs with HID low beams operating as originally designed.

 

Hi Yaggo! If your Prius is imported by Toyota Auto Finland ("Scandinavian Spec."), there should be DRL ON or OFF -function in customize parameters. That customization can be done by any dealer using Toyota Intelligent Tester.

Doing so, you need to install for example led DRLs, because the low beams are not running anymore in the OFF-position of the light switch (or when it's not dark in the AUTO-position) and the vehicle is not street legal here in Finland. Like said, here is compulsory to run low beams or DRLs during daytime.

I did the customization on mine and then installed Philips Daylight Guides to front bumber. I'm very happy with the result, because now the car will decide (AUTO-position) when it's necessary to run low beams or led DRLs. Of course heavy rain or blizzard are conditions where i should be wise enough to have lightning in the back also.

Btw, your low beams are not HIDs, they are leds. Light output is coming from three separate units.

Here are the pictures of my installation:



Edit: here is the link where the purpose of those 3 separate led low beam units is explained:
Prius LED headlights