Lack of DRL and auto headlight options in Prius v Three

I had posted this before in a different thread. When we went to Parker Toyota in Coeur d'Alene Idaho to see the difference between our Canadian v and the US v , mainly the DRL, we asked the dealer there why the difference. He said their v's had daytime running lights. I said really, can yuo pop the hood so I could see the fuse box. He said OK and did. I opened up the fuse box and there was a relay in the DRL socket. So I don't know if it was a dealer installed relay or if it was a pacific northwest package.
I did not have him start the car to verify, I was just suprised.

 

That's why, as I said earlier in the thread... that I think - and would need to try - but I think, all we have to do is add the relay. This would only work provided all the wiring harness is there, etc. It could be possible they used a different harness with fewer wires - but i highly doubt it. body computers, etc. that handle the switching for the auto headlights as an example - should all be there - it just goes to a dead end if you will. for example - my us v2 has a photocell on the dash - but i don't have auto headllights- it does however - override the dash light dimmer. if my lights are on in the morning and the dash is dimmed - when the sun comes up -- after a few seconds - the dash will go full bright as if i turned off the lights.

This tells me - all the items are in place - but maybe that relay.

would need a schematic to know for sure.

 

The point I wanted to make with Toyota corporate was that they were being disingenuous with touting the safety benefits on DRLs in the v's manual and then turn around and not include them on the v. I guess it comes down to the bean counters, or should I say rice counters, in Japan for the decision not to include the DRLs. It's always about the money in the end.

 

Mine has a socket for a fuse and a note on the cover stating it is for DRLs, but when I put a fuse in nothing happens. I wish you had verified that it turns on as they should.

 

On the canadian version the high beams turn at about 50% power.

 

I'm thinking of looking into buying the repair manuals for the v. I wonder if there is a different manual for Canadian cars or the differences will be in the same manual. I should have checked last time I subscribed to techstream but I'm afraid I didn't get a chance to.

 

Follow up on my v2 (US) model... the fuse box does have a relay slot labeled for DRL ... however - the harness that would connect to it is not there. There are no terminals in the relay slot. (wires missing) ... so they apparently used a different wire harness or there is simply one not there.... that is on Canada's version.

 

I called Parker Toyota today (Coeur d'Alene Toyota Scion New & Used Car Dealer - Serving Spokane, Serving the Spokane Valley, & Serving Post Falls) and asked if they could sell me a Prius v (wagon) with DLR. A nice sales person got back with me and told me that they had gotten a 3rd party (in spokane I think) to install DLR option in the past, but that there were none available now.

So now I once again have to qualify my statement about DLR to;
no Daytime Running Lights on any US Prius v sold in USA unless DRL installed by 3rd party (not toyota).

 

Look for DRL and auto sensing wipers to be part of the 2013 if not 2014 model improvements in the states..... Frankly, I would like to see the 7 passenger one here too.

 

works great thanks for the tip

 

Any way to get it to stop making the high pitched alarm sound when you exit the car?

 

If you set it to OFF (0 seconds) it never squeals.

(I had to buy a v to find the answer) <G> Seriously, it was my first modification, no squeal, instant off.

 

I guess that I just do not understand all these posts about lack of DRL; Isn't it Daytime Running Lights? My v has a headlight stalk on the left side of the steering wheel that can be rotated to the first detent that turns on a small light in the headlight that I use for daytime, turning it to the second detent turns on the main headlights, which turn off automatically when I get out of the car.

 

The technical term for those is "Parking Lights" and as you can imagine, they are designed for when you are parked.

ORS 816.130 - Parking lights - 2011 Oregon Revised Statutes

ORS 811.515 - When lights must be displayed - 2011 Oregon Revised Statutes
Oregon law say you cannot use JUST the parking lights when moving, if there is limited visibility. (if you are in the part of Oregon I was born in, that would be 10 months of the year)

 

According to my 2012 owners manual, p.211 our V 5 does have a DRL. Why would the dealer say the V don't have it?

 

The manual is wrong, just as it is for 2013. It finally became right in 2014.

 

The Southeast Toyota Distributor offers a kit 00016-47021 with a Toyota part number that they market that allows adding DRLs as round shaped lights with a flat set of LED bulbs centered in them at the edges of the lower grill where there are two blank panels now. The kit comes complete with wiring and installation instructions. Looks like it was factory. My dealer installed mine. Not cheap but I feel I am safer in low light or rural road situations.

http://www.trdsparks.com/part_detailfromlist.php?part_num=00016-47021

My dealer matched their price.

My wife has an Avalon with the auto sensing wipers. I can do it myself so it isn't high on my priority list.

 

good tip to leave the low beams on and have the car shut off, im replacing my low beams (H11) with leds and replaced all my corner parking bulbs (t10/168/194) with leds so energy usage is minimal. highbeam (DRL - 9005/H3) using reduced power will make current headlight leds flicker so using DRL is not ideal for LED replacements. im used to my 2008 prius with auto low beams/DRL, so this is a good solution.

 

You just set the dimmer high. It will still auto dim at night. The only downside of leaving the headlights on is they burn out faster and the passenger side in hard to access if you have big hands. Also the cable has little slack so its best to insert the bulb without the cable and then plug in the harness. I can usually get it out without first disconnecting.