DRL Canada

As long as you have the parking brakes on and don't put it in gear, none of my cars here in canada does that.

I'm beginning to think a lot of people don't use their parking brakes here.

 

Excerpt from North American Owner's Manual:

 

With the car running as a generator, it seems doubling important to solidly set the parking brake. Just for giggles maybe some wheel chocks too, real ones, not “a rock”.

 

My bad. I had replied to someone with the same question on his 2018 Prime prior to replying to yours, and mistook yours to be in the same generation forum. For ours as long as you have the parking brake engaged prior to switching the car on, the DRL does not turn on. If you've tried that then and nada... then you may be right, it could be a new 2021+ rule.

 

Just in case you end up going the US stalk route, the part number is 84329-33080 or 84329-02050. The first one is the original part, the second is an updated part. You can pick up used versions of the first part number fairly easily as it was used in many* cars. I found used ones on Car-Part for $50 USD. The second part runs about $115 USD new.

The install is both easy and super, super annoying. Everything is straightforward except two stupid Allen screws that are hidden behind two little covers on the sides of the steering wheel assembly. If you decide to go this route and need help, just leave a post.


*You can look here to see all the different vehicles it came on. Just scroll down a bit and click "Vehicle Fitment", then click where it says "37 more fitments" to see them all.
2017-2024 Toyota Turn Signal Switch 84329-02050 | Sparks Parts

 

If you read the user manual as Mendel posted, it seems pretty straightforward, but maybe the manual needs a revision?

If you drive, then hit the parking brake, the conditions remain met for DRL to be on.

If you turn the car off, and the lights turn off, then you turn them on, and do nothing else, the DRL shouldn't come on, according to the manual instructions.

 

I ran into a similar issue with my 2024 Limited, and I came up with a makeshift solution:
Shine an LED into the light sensor on the dash. This tricks the vehicle into thinking its light outside and it wont turn on the DRLs in the dark. (as long as you don't shift into drive). You can just cover the LED and light sensor with a towel or something so the light isn't visible.

 

I thought daytime running light ran in daytime anyway.

 

I think he's managing to fool the automatic headlights into not coming on, leaving just the DRL function.

 

I have a CAD SE and I just went out to try it. Start the car and turn the stalk to the middle position. The only thing on in your headlights will be the hooks (or hook and bottom bar if you have an XSE I think) but the headlights will be off. The hooks aren't super bright so should be a lot better. On the XSE, I think there was a setting in the menu to disable another part of the headlight (I think main light and keep the hooks on only on DRL).

You can also turn off the interior lights in the car (footwell and lightbar) if you go in Settings -> Vehicle Customize -> Lights -> Int. Light Off Timer to off and it will turn off the interior lights all the time.

 

Okay I went out and tested my method of tricking the light sensor again and I have more details.

This will turn off ALL exterior lights (Rear lights, Headlights, DLRs) on my Canadian 2024 Limited

Steps:

1. Shine a light directly into the light sensor on the dash (get a usb light if you want this to last all night for camping)
2. Make sure the parking brake is on
3. Set the lights to "Auto"
4. Turn on the vehicle to "Ready" mode.