Hey, created an account just for this question but have been lurking for a while. I asked on reddit but didnt really get much help on the matter there. In Canada all new cars need to have their DRL on when the car is turned on, this is an issue when trying to use my prime as a battery/generator for camping and power outage situations(seems to be quite bright and also drains the battery). Does anyone know a work around for this? I was thinking there must be a fuse I can pull but have avoided doing so as the fuses that say they are for DRL also do a dozen other things some of which sound important. I also read that some cars you can just get a stalk from the States that has the OFF option on it but don't want to invest money and time installing that if it doesn't work. I also wouldn't be apposed to adding some sort of inverter that ties into the traction battery but not sure of the consequences of doing such a thing.
In canada the lights come on the second the power button is pushed, my understanding is that it's different in the United States.
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.
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”.
It is possible im missing something but im fairly certain the parking brake engages automatically, when i pull the parking brake it disables it. My old corolla needed the parking brake pulled to disable lights so i did try that
To add onto this, the rule for always on DRL was from 2021 so most cars on the road don't have it at the moment. I'm just looking for ways to use my car to the fullest without being a nuisance
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.
I really appreciate the reply, I'm a pretty smart guy normally speaking so I don't think its something simple I'm missing, so much as I'm looking for a work around for the silly Canadian laws regarding the drl. I do genuinely appreciate you walking back the statement as I feel like there are some people here that are quick to add inaccurate information in an attempt to help without knowing how the gen 5 Prius in Canada works. I do appreciate any input but don't want to spread any misinformation for my fellow Canadians regarding the gen 5 Prius.
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
Thanks for that, looks like that may be my best bet to get the drls off when needed. It genuinely baffles me that this is an enforced rule here with no built in way around it. I may watch a couple videos and see if doing this is within my scope.
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 have read that part of the manual several times and tried a number of combinations but regardless of what I do the drl are on when the car is on. After looking into it more the rav 4 also does this(in canada only) it's possible I'm missing something but I highly doubt that it's simply user error here unless someone with a gen 5 in canada can shed some light on this? The replacement stalk from the US model appears to be the best bet at the moment but I haven't had time to get that sorted as I'm neck deep in renos currently
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 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.
I havent been keeping up with this thread but I will try this when I get a chance, rigging up a cup with a usb light to set over the sensor would be pretty easy for the few times a year I require it
