Explanation why Prius v did not have DRLs

You can try adding dual function fog lamps. (fog & DRL)

Below is my Prius C w/ Varco fog lamp
Outer are DRL and center part serves as fog lamp.

 

Chris, how about a pic of the DRLs in bright sunlight? Still visible?

 

Well, I believe it can, by a person competent with electrical work. Is it going to be a challenge, yes. There are 4 connections/wires in the US model relay, while there are 6 for the Canadian model. The wiring diagram for both are on the same page on TIS diagrams. One of the two new wires needs to be run to ground, and the other needs to be run into a connector under the dash. Easiest way to source the relay block and green relay is to salvage a fuse box from any model that has DRL using it. (The relay is quite pricy from the dealer and I couldn't even find part numbers for connecting wires to the relay block that I was able to buy.) This includes late model Prius c, or if you can source one from a Canadian v.

Unfortunately, this may risk your warranty. (I'm sure installing the Toyota remote start and alarm risked my warranty as well though.)

 

I have installed CREE L.E.D. lights in my upper grille. They are BRIGHT and come on as soon as the car is started. I asked for them to be wired that way. They have their own fuse (natch) and do not run off the headlight circuit. Love the look and the alert that they give to oncoming traffic.

Toyota did not install DRLs because it was a cost-cutting measure, just like the lack of colored bars on the Two model's backup camera or absence of turn signals on the outside rear view mirrors. SHEESH! What nickel and diming they do.
Anyone who can invent a hybrid car can surely make DRLs standard. 'Nuff sed.

My wife's new (2015) Hunday Elantra Limited has SO many more tech features than my 2013 Prius and all for $18,800. plus local tax, etc.
I mean c'mon! The Elantra has leather heated seats front AND back, Blue Link (like OnStar), Home Link, Sirius/XM radio, HD radio, two sets of DLRs, leather wrapped steering wheel, THREE shock/steering/transmission settings ("comfort", "normal", and "sport"), 17" alloy wheels W. 215/45/17 tires and on and on. Plus Consumer Reports rated its resale value above the equivalent Corolla!

Worse, the Toyota Camry got 10th out of 10 midsize cars on Motor Week midsize car comparison tests. And the Hunday Sonata got first, with Subaru and Mazda coming in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Toyota needs to quit sitting on their hands.

 

That is quite a deal. I looked into these a year ago and they were over $400 each, from a UK breaker.

 

You see a lot of Priuses on the road after sunset sans headlights.

I don't think that I've turned my light switch off more a few times in the last 50,000 miles.
As a matter of fact, I have to make sure that I remember to turn my lamps back on whenever my Prius gets serviced by my company's fleet contractors...."Three Guys and a Hammer."

Hyundai and Kia are now where Japan's makes were a few decades ago.
They (both) used to be cheap crap that people only bought for economics (gas or MSRP.)
I remember when Honda, Toyota, and Datsun used to be sneered at.

Now?
Korean companies are starting to lead the pack, and Honda and Toyota fanatics are struggling more and more to justify their brand loyalties - just like GM and FOMOCO fans did in the 70's and 80's.
A few decades from now?
Maybe (probably) China and India will be building car factories in the US to take advantage of the cheaper labor.
Globalization.

 

ECT(SS), Your observations should be engraved in stone on a monument at the Toyota headquarters in Japan. Every engineer, product planner and designer should have to memorize them. Every executive should sing them in a song every morning as they do their company exercises.

 

I've read through this thread and have a question: WHY all the interest in DRLs? They have been proven to have no safety effect except during dusk and dawn*; and most states require you have headlights and tail lights on during those times. Seems to me they just waste power.

Further, the new law in Massachusetts (which is what I thought this thread was about, but it isn't) requires head and tail lamps on when you use your wipers, and DRLs do NOT satisfy the new Mass law, which went into effect April 7th. The Mass State Police have been very clear and vocal on this.

So I just don't get why all the interest.



*Wang, Jing-Shiarn (September 2008). "NHTSA Technical Report" (PDF). Washington. D.C.: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And others.

 

I disagree on the supposed ineffectiveness of DRLs. Our Winter Gray Metallic Prius seems to be cloaked in invisibility paint, because people have pulled out in front of us like we weren't even there.

After installing a DRL module that uses the highbeams at reduced power, these occurrences have all but disappeared.

 

^ that's the DRL method in Canada.

 

I guess you've been lucky. Try driving with the sun in your eyes or at your back blinding you directly or blinding through the mirrors. Those DRLs glow like a blessing from God.

 

That's what I did, but just went to swap out the license plate lights yesterday with some LEDs and noticed discoloration/scorch marks on the bottom of the bulb housing from the original bulbs. I assume from having them on all the time. If you get a chance check yours out and let me know if its just me.

2012 Prius v - license plate lights - scorch marks | PriusChat

 

Your link takes me to the wrong thread?

Here is the correct link: 2012 Prius v - license plate lights - scorch marks | PriusChat

 

Really? Thanks for fixing it, where does my link take you? When I click on mine it takes me to the correct link. Strange.

 

Hmm, maybe a bug in Tapatalk?

 

Both links say the same thing for me, and link to the same thread, Tapatalk for iPad though....


iPad ?

 

This is what I'm getting on my phone ?:

Takes me to the middle of a totally unrelated thread.

Does the incorrect thread come up for anyone else in the above link, or the correct thread?

 

I've got something about "IGGY...". Been noticing these weird links, but thought it was just advertisements. The links provided above are correct, Tapatalk Pro on Android.

 

For example, now that I posted, I see nothing about IGGY anywhere. (Hope we don't have a virus or something.)


It's now back to a reference to the other's post with the correct link inserted.