Daylight Running Lights

A few Americans who have moved to Canada have had to go through a lot more than 30 minutes with a dealer scan tool. If I recall it involved having a DRL module installed. The wiring is a bit different.

For example, my Prius has two sensors on the upper left side of the dash. One is for the climate control, the other is for the Auto headlight control.

 

Guess you will have to just join the rest of us who put the lights on when we drive.
Sometimes I don't, sometime I think they are critical.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CapeMayAl @ Jan 11 2007, 05:30 PM) [snapback]374481[/snapback]</div>

I thought all US Prius had Auto Off headlights. I run with my lights on all the time. When I park and open the drivers’ side door the lights turn off automatically.

 

Yes, it has auto-off. Auto-off isn't foolproof though. There are situations where you can accidentally leave the lights on, such as entering from the passenger side, powering up to say get a CD out of the changer, and power off, then exit and lock from the passenger door.

HIDs are not designed to easily accomodate DRLs. An aftermarket approach would be in order, perhaps using the fog lamps.

 

Don't run your headlights in broad daylight. It annoys the other drivers on the road.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jan 12 2007, 02:09 AM) [snapback]374571[/snapback]</div>

You're right, I forgot to mention that. The American Prius cars have Auto Off, so if a driver wanted to, they could leave the headlight switch to On and drive that way all the time. Once they powered down and exited, they headlights turn off, with some caveats as Dan mentioned.

With the Canadian Auto On headlights, the sensor in the dash is for ambient light. The headlight switch has an additional position - "Auto" - to allow you to defeat the sensor if you know the car will be in a dark garage.

In daytime only the DRL is on at reduced intensity. When it gets darker, or say in the underground parking at my condo, then the normal low beam headlights turn on, along with the taillights, and the dash and MFD brightness are different.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ml194152 @ Jan 11 2007, 11:37 PM) [snapback]374539[/snapback]</div>

I do it all the time, and more than half the cars up here in the Seattle area do too. Why do you think leaving headlights on in the daytime would annoy other drivers?? I leave my headlight switch in the on position full time on my prius. I have the base model so I don't have to worry about the expensive HID bulbs burning out.

I think sometime ago, Greyhound did a study and found that leaving the headlights on during the day reduced accidents. You see a car coming quicker and easier when they have their lights on.

Dave

 

I'm with you Dave. I don't have HID's either and found that the original headlight bulbs lasted from 20 to 25,000 miles before burining out. I replaced them with long lasting bulbs and will see how much longer they last.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveLeePrius @ Jan 13 2007, 08:14 AM) [snapback]375137[/snapback]</div>

Your right Dave. Here in
Canada the cross-country buses have driven with their day time headlights on for years. They have apparantly proven that the practise reduces accidents.

 

All my cars have DRL...not automatic, though. I reach down and turn them on as part of my startup routine...just like fastening my seatbelts. I've done that for many years...even before it was popular. I don't know if it works to reduce accidents, but it makes me feel better.

Cheers,

Larry

 

my 1998 pontiac grand am had auto-lights, thats kind of sad. the 2 middle bright lights had a daytime setting, when it was light out, they were on, when it sensed dark, the main headlights turned on. not sure why this is something toyota couldn't have done for the US model. especially those of us who dont think the HIDs need to be on 24/7. Honestly they just cut so many corners, it could be such a perfect car

 

In some countries in Europe, you must turn your headlights on during the day. its the law.