Daytime Running Lights

[DavidW999]

Hi there, I bought my second Prius last November as a replacement for my Gen 2 Prius T Spirit which I had for 4 years. My new T Spirit has the safety pack fitted so comes with the LED headlights, PCS, adaptive cruise control, etc. I have been looking into fitting daytime running lights but on reading through the manual at the end there is a section on customisable settings which the dealer can change. At the end of the list there is a setting for daytime running lights showing that the default setting is on. There is also a reference to DRL's in the engine compartment fuse box listing fuse 23 as for DRL's , the fuse being present in this position. I tried ringing my dealer to ask what this setting is for but they were not very helpful. My question is if it is possible to have some kind of DRL activated and if it is what light would it use? There must have been some sort of DRL facility on the car because some European countries have required DRL's before them being introduced at the beginning of the year in the U.K.. Hopefully somebody might be able to help me.

Many thanks David

[kithmo]

If it's manufactured after 7th Feb 2011 it should have DRLs fitted, European Union directive 2008/89/EC. If they are fitted they should be set to on. I seem to remember a mention of a setting in the menus somewhere where you can turn them on or off (could be USA).

[timberwolf]

If it's manufactured after 7th Feb 2011 it should have DRLs fitted, European Union directive 2008/89/EC. If they are fitted they should be set to on. I seem to remember a mention of a setting in the menus somewhere where you can turn them on or off (could be USA).

I think the directive concerns itself just with the granting of type approval of new vehicles designed after that date. If the manufacturer designed and managed to get type approval for their vehicle before that date, they could continue manufacturing and selling that design after that date without DRL until they next changed the design.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

There is no way whatsoever to switch on DRL's on the gen2 or original gen3 (2009-2012) via a hidden menu.

This matter has been discussed at length many times on the US forum where Canada require DRL's by law and the Canadian Prius has them. Apparantly there are some insurance deductions in America if you have DRL's and many have asked if it is a hidden option switched on for Canada. Not it isn't. Canadian (and probably Scandinavian) models have a DRL system added to the vehicle at manufacture, though whether some hidden wiring looms are on all models remains to be seen.

So unfortunately it is not an easy fix other than if you've bought the latest gen3 mk2 which has them as standard.

[kithmo]

I could have sworn I'd seen some 2011 Gen 3s with DRLs fitted, in a little cluster beneath the front indicators, I remember thinking I could upgrade to DRLs by changing the indicator. Or was I dreaming ?

[wass]

Having spent thousands of your hard earnt on your new 2011 prius and spoken to an unhelpful dealer, I would have felt a bit disgruntled at not having a simple query adequately dealt with. Despite the very informative and helpful comments on this forum which do address your question in a satisfactory manner, the fact still remains that your dealer ( who presumably you have paid tens of thousands of pounds to) couldnt answer your question (or couldnt be bothered) and the free to enter forum has gone some way to answer your question.

A complaint to Toyota UK and a move to another dealer would seem the order of the day. Dealers seem to get away with offering poor after sales back up ---- mostly because we let them. If I were living in your area, I would be asking which dealer you are refering to in order to avoid them. :D :D

[Seamaster73]

Poor dealers must be named and shamed so they can be avoided — it's the only language they (and Toyota) understand.

[wass]

As a post script, I already steer well clear of Toyota Cambridge because of an attitude shown by Lexus Cambridge who share the same landlord and site.

[DavidW999]

I did contact Toyota directly on their website. This was the answer I got back and underneath my question

Dear Mr Ward,

Thank you for your email to Toyota.

I have contacted a Toyota technician on your behalf, who confirmed that the 2011 Toyota Prius does not have Daytime Running Lights. While they are mentioned in the owner’s manual as adjustable, the manual is created for many models across Europe, some of which have had Daytime Running Lights as a legal requirement for some time. Daytime Running Lights are only a requirement on UK vehicles manufactured in 2012.

I hope this has been helpful.

-----Original Message-----

Sent: 29/04/2012 12:31:17

On a Toyota Prius 2011 not the latest version with DRL's fitted. What does the Daytime running light setting do in the customisable settings, page 566 that the dealer can set. In the handbook, the default is supposedly set to on but no DRL function is operational. I know in some European countries cars have had a legal requirement for DRL's, so is it possible to activate them on a UK Prius and if it is what form of DRL would it be. I have rang my local dealer but they weren't very helpful, so I am hoping you can answer this question.

This still didn't answer my question as to what form the DRL's would take on pre 2012 models in countries that had them and it raises the question of If certain European countries had mandatory DRL's before the UK law changed,why couldn't Toyota activate, install them regardless of what form they took on the pre 2012 Prius models that were built after 2011?

[johalareewi]

Talking of DRLs... My cousin was stopped by the Police while driving her leaf, who told her she had her front fog lights on. They were the DRLs.

[DavidW999]

It does seem to be a grey area over DRL's if you look at the regulations for fitting aftermarket DRL's, minimum distance between them 60cm, minimum height 25cm,maximum height 150cm, maximum distance from outside edge 40cm and maximum horizontal tilting angle 10 degrees, are the regulations for OEM DRL's the same? Looking at some cars with them on they don't seem to meet these regulations and the brightness on some of them especially the Citroen DS seems to be excessively bright.

[tonybutt]

I recently had 2012 Gen3 Prius as a courtesy car while my 2009 Gen 3 Prius was in for repair. The DRL unit appeared to be a new module inserted in the lower grill aperture of a pre-2012 model. Perhaps the connectors are already in the wiring loom. If so this may be the best upgrade option although it could be pricey. I would be interested if anyone knows for sure, I hope this isn't a red herring, does anybody know?

[Joseph D]

Question, why bother with DRL? I ask this as it seems assumed that there is a safety benefit by running lights during the day. I'm not convinced.

For one thing, unless all cars run with their lights on, it is not effective.

Secondly, in the states that have mandated compulsory DRL (e. g. Sweden) the light levels are less for most of the day and also for most days of the year, so, yes there is benefit to using lights during the day. But for regions which are closer to the equator, where the daylight is more even and generally brighter, there is not the same benefit. In the UK, there will be varying benefit from the north in Scotland compared to the south in England.

Thirdly, if everybody was to run their lights for no good reason, the collective cost to the country as a whole in additional fuel would be significant.

Finally, drivers already have the responsibility, and dare I say sense, to use their lights during the hours of daylight if light conditions require it.

I do understand that modern LED lights are more efficient, but nevertheless, not running light would be even more efficient.

Personally, I'd resent having to run my lights, just because some bureaucrat (whether here or Brussels) decided it was a good idea.

That's my thoughts, what do others think?

[timberwolf]

If you agree that DRL will prevent some accidents and that having fewer accidents will result in less lives being lost, your question is whether the extra cost in fitting the technology into cars at manufacturer and then the extra fossil fuel burnt is worth those saved lifes?

[Joseph D]

If you agree that DRL will prevent some accidents

...

That is my point really. If anyone can show me the research (specific to the UK) that shows an empirical link between the two, then yes it is a no brainer. I remain to be convinced.

Also, for it to have greatest effect, every driver must drive with DRL, and from my observations of the UK driver - with things like seat belts, phones, lane discipline, speed limits, etc - I would not hold my breath with this one either.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Is it me or are the new DRL's WAY too bright? The older ones on Volvo's and even some of the newer VW's were ok but the new LED ones are worse than full beams. I'm sure in southern Europe on a sunny day they'd be OK but here in Enlgand on an overcast day they're just dazzling. You can't judge distance or speed as well in those conditions and on a busy road that matters. I have had way over 10 years and millions of miles of experience of driving with a clean licence and accident history so I know what I'm on about.

I think these new super bridge led DRLs like you get on Citroens are probably more dangerous than beneficial. Oh, and some even obscure the indicators by being so bright - the new Kia Sportage for one. At least on the Audi's they reduce the drl's when indicating.

[Opifex]

Is it me or are the new DRL's WAY too bright?

No it's not just you. I agree they are too bright - even in southern Europe!

[DavidW999]

I made some enquiries regarding DRL's on the Scandinavian Gen 3 Prius prior to the 2012 facelift . This is the reply I got back from a technical instructor at Toyota Finland.

Dear Sir,

regarding to your question about 3rd generation Prius's DRL-system:

prior the minor model change (aka. facelift) of the Prius all the Scandinavian countries used the same DRL-function. Basically this means, that vehicles Main Body ECU controls the operation of taillights (incl. clearance lights) and headlights. Depending on the programming of the Main Body ECU it is possible to activate taillights and headlights when the system is set to Ready On -state. On other (= conventional) vehicles the same ECU activates the same lights when engine is running.

So, the answer to your (first) question would be that normal taillight / headlight -system is used without any resistors in series with normal lights or any other sorts of deviation from the normal operation of the lights. Also no extra components are needed to make this operation functionable - it's just a feature inside Main Body ECU's software.

As you mentioned in your e-mail, this function is customizable. Basically that means that any Toyota-dealer can switch this feature ON or OFF to the customers liking. This operation is possible in the following models: Prius (3rd gen.), Avensis (3rd gen.) and Verso. In Verso-s and Yaris (3rd gen.) it is possible to customize this feature via vehicles multimedia-unit (Toyota Touch or Toyota Touch & Go). The default for the Nordic countries for the new cars from the manufacture plants has been ON.

I hope this is helpful to you. If you should have something else to ask about this or other matters, please don't hesitate to contact us.

[Yossi M. Olaya]

I drive my car with the low beam lights always on. It was a recommendation in Spain when I bought my first mini in 2009, then moved last year over to the UK and kept driving with the low beam lights always on.

I actually had no idea that the DRL are technically different from the low-beam lights.

[johalareewi]

Is it me or are the new DRL's WAY too bright?

No it's not just you. I agree they are too bright - even in southern Europe!

Way too bright for me too.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

I actually had no idea that the DRL are technically different from the low-beam lights.

Older drl's were just low beams. In America and Canada drl's are main beam on 50% power. In Scandinavia there was a mix of low beams OR brighter side lights and until recently all systems were optional in Europe.

Unfortunately they've introduced a new system where the lumens are much much brighter than full beam so that the car can be seen in bright sunlight at a great distance away. Fine on a sunny Italian road (maybe), but the same brightness applies in England on a dull, overcast afternoon and they're just dazzling. They now use super white LED's as they use much less power and thus save on fuel but they're just ridiculously bright.

I have no objection to the drl's we used to have but these new ones a dangerous, especially once all cars start having them. I also find that as the led's flicker, the lights when viewed from a distance seem to shimmer, which again makes it hard to judge distance - the very reason they were introduced.