Are the Gen4 LED Headlights too bright?

This thread reminds me of the introduction of halogen headlights in the 70s, boy were they bright compared to the orange glow of the standard filament bulbs of the time.

 

I say, the brighter the better.. The low beams are great. If people happen to flash me, I just flash them back.
I've gone from using the DRL's, to turning on the full headlights in the daytime.

 

I am happy as long as they can see me coming. They still try to cut me off. Lol driving in power mode now. Maybe they will stop. We see what happen. I have my light on Auto . I don't worry about that anymore which awesome.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Well, if people are regularly flashing you for bright lights, you have something wrong. You need to check aim as suggested. You do realize they are flashing you because they are having difficulty seeing due to your bright lights and are responsible to get your headlights properly aligned.

 

Headlight Use Laws for All 50 States | YourMechanic Advice

 

Let me clarify. Nobody has ever flashed me in the 11 months I've had my car. I'm not going to touch the headlight adjustment. Even if they do ever flashed me, I'm leaving my lights just like they are.

We still have nuts driving around before sunup, or after sundown, with no lights on. During a rainstorm when it's dark and gloomy, still no headlights. Silver cars, light gray cars, dark gray and black… Very hard to see those vehicles with no lights. And yes, lots of Prius drivers don't use DRL's or headlights. I just don't understand it.

 

Excellent! Thank you.

California

Headlights

• It is the law in California to have headlights on when it’s raining, foggy, snowing or even cloudy. If you must use your windshield wipers, you are required to have your headlights on.
• You must have your headlights on if you cannot see at least 1,000 feet in front of you.
• You must turn on your headlights at least 30 minutes after sunset and not turn them off until 30 minutes before sunrise.
• The California driver’s handbook also recommends using headlights on country roads or up in the mountains even on sunny days to make it easy for other drivers to see you.

 

"You must turn on your headlights at least 30 minutes after sunset and not turn them off until 30 minutes before sunrise" - doesn't make sense

- shouldn't it be round the other way? 30 minutes after sunset (or 30 mins before sunrise), it's dark, particularly in winter.

 

Yes, they could have worded that better. It depends on the time of year and the season.

We wouldn't have any problems at all if these crazy people would just leave their DRL's on auto, all the time. And if you have an older vehicle with no DRL's, just simply turn on the headlights! I can't believe all the Prius drivers that don't turn on any lights. Makes no sense.

 

I use the auto headlight setting, left side of the steering wheel on the far left instrument cluster. Enabling it disables the use of high beams but I have never once been high beamed by other cars. I don't know if this is a 2017 only feature.

 

Since IIHS headlight ratings improved on 2017 Prius we know Toyota made some changes reducing glare.

 

In post 42 you said you had been flashed and then gave us the impression you did not care.
Sorry for the confusion.

 

Along with time of year, geography and latitude are also factors. There is still enough light during those 30 minute windows that having the headlights on won't improve the driver's ability to see down the road.

The effectiveness of DRLs at preventing accidents is split. The NHTSA feels that is enough to not make always on DRLs mandatory, despite lobbying from GM for them to do so.

 

Why spend the extra money for a DRL Off setting in the US, though? Using the same switch as other countries would save on manufacturing & inventory costs, I would assume.

 

Which is probably why GM wants it mandatory on in the US.
The only mandatory on country I know of is Canada.

 

GM could use the Canadian switch mechanism in the US now (not sure about labeling). I do not think the US mandates a DRL Off setting.

 

Had a of/off misspelling there that might have changed how you read my post.

In Canada, DRL is always on; can't be turned off. GM could just use that switch, but have an off option on US cars, because some customers wouldn't be happy at not having the option if it isn't mandatory. I turn them off for..um..reasons, but GM does use a switch that springs back fro off so the DRLs default to on at startup. Some Sonic and Cruze owners have modified the switch to take the spring out so DRL are off at start up.

 

One of my cars has automatic headlights; one doesn't.
It's the Prius that doesn't.
While I TRY to keep the DRLs on all the time, even that isn't automatic.......so sometimes they end up being off during the day, since there is no good indication of whether they are on or off.

P.S. And while I've loved every Toyota I've ever had........they do do some DUMB stuff.
High beams are disabled if you are in the "auto" position ???? WTH ??

 

Now, auto high beams are standard on the Liftback if you choose to press the proper button.

There is no warning if you leave your headlights on, though. The Auto Off setting options are too long, IMHO.

 

You never heard of Europe? You do surprise me!