How to turn off day time running lights ?

[LongHorn Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close LongHorn]

FYI,
I know people have moved on, but interestingly my late 2012 (December) GX doesn't give me the option to change light settings at all! My halogen lights (HL,PL,TL) all come on when the truck starts up and won't change no matter where I switch the stalk to. My HL's don't dim when I switch to park on the stalk! I can only use high beam options. Guess I must've been caught in the "Twilight Zone" between model changes when they built mine. I don't so much mind the DRL's being on, I can see the benefits but I don't like the instrument lights being dimmed during the day making them hard to see (as mentioned). Armed with the knowledge from here (thanks PP'erz) I might have a "chat" to my service manager about it and see if I can't push some of his buttons over the issue...... yeah your right that was really bad huh.

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

FYI,
I know people have moved on, but interestingly my late 2012 (December) GX doesn't give me the option to change light settings at all! My halogen lights (HL,PL,TL) all come on when the truck starts up and won't change no matter where I switch the stalk to. My HL's don't dim when I switch to park on the stalk! I can only use high beam options. Guess I must've been caught in the "Twilight Zone" between model changes when they built mine. I don't so much mind the DRL's being on, I can see the benefits but I don't like the instrument lights being dimmed during the day making them hard to see (as mentioned). Armed with the knowledge from here (thanks PP'erz) I might have a "chat" to my service manager about it and see if I can't push some of his buttons over the issue...... yeah your right that was really bad huh.

Sounds like your car was modified like a Telstra or Power Link vehicle. Not anything to do with the new model as such. Always on lights is common in many fleet cars as a result on internal company policy on safety. They modify the wiring to be permanently on rather than an always on headlight but normal operating dash lights when you flick the switch as well as parkers only option.

[LongHorn Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close LongHorn]

Sounds like your car was modified like a Telstra or Power Link vehicle. Not anything to do with the new model as such. Always on lights is common in many fleet cars as a result on internal company policy on safety. They modify the wiring to be permanently on rather than an always on headlight but normal operating dash lights when you flick the switch as well as parkers only option.

Ahh... interesting, thanks for the clue

[alanruss Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close alanruss]

There's got to be a difference between LED DRLs and headlights running day time. People spending money buying 2014 Prado GXL or Altitude end up with old fashion, cheap looking halogen headlights which are always ON and appear to the most eyes out there who don't know they are DRLs and that driver has not forgotten to turn the switch off. Not sure what made Toyota come up with this idea of keeping this ugly differentiation of headlights between VX, Kakadu vs others that headlights scream out loud, "I am some "cheap low end Prado model" and not VX or Kakadu!!!" Weren't badges enough???

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

There's got to be a difference between LED DRLs and headlights running day time. People spending money buying 2014 Prado GXL or Altitude end up with old fashion, cheap looking halogen headlights which are always ON and appear to the most eyes out there who don't know they are DRLs and that driver has not forgotten to turn the switch off. Not sure what made Toyota come up with this idea of keeping this ugly differentiation of headlights between VX, Kakadu vs others that headlights scream out loud, "I am some "cheap low end Prado model" and not VX or Kakadu!!!" Weren't badges enough???

You telling me people buy Prados only for the social status? No...

The only ones that look dumb are those that flick the Parkers on. That looks funny. Trying so hard to pretend to be normal. If the lights were that bad but a jeep. And put the rest towards a boat or camper.

[alanruss Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close alanruss]

You telling me people buy Prados only for the social status? No...

The only ones that look dumb are those that flick the Parkers on. That looks funny. Trying so hard to pretend to be normal. If the lights were that bad but a jeep. And put the rest towards a boat or camper.

Prado vs Jeep? Hmmm. I never did and will not buy a jeep. I won't even buy Prado's European cousin Land Rover. But that does not mean I shouldn't criticise what is not right. Prado GXL's halogen headlights as compare to overpriced VX or KAKADU HIDs? Bad bad idea by Toyota selling Prado with Halogen lamps which can't even be switched off in the era of HIDs.

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

You telling me people buy Prados only for the social status? No...

The only ones that look dumb are those that flick the Parkers on. That looks funny. Trying so hard to pretend to be normal. If the lights were that bad but a jeep. And put the rest towards a boat or camper.

Prado vs Jeep? Hmmm. I never did and will not buy a jeep. I won't even buy Prado's European cousin Land Rover. But that does not mean I shouldn't criticise what is not right. Prado GXL's halogen headlights as compare to overpriced VX or KAKADU HIDs? Bad bad idea by Toyota selling Prado with Halogen lamps which can't even be switched off in the era of HIDs.

Wavelength still out performs HID. I have had several bi-xenon hid equipped cars and am happy to be back to halogen.

Apart from not being able to see u the rain and fog they are don't reach as far and have a harsh cut off due to restrictions on dazzling other road users. No good for Australia.

The only reason they exist is because shelite used to make halogen is running out. Not because they are better.

[Khoa Member Find all posts View Profile Close Khoa]

Not sure if this help but when i had my 2002 x5, i could turn the DTRL on or off using a software.

It never was turned on by the dealer because it never a requirement in Australia back in the days. The DTRL option on my X5 wasn't the Halo/Angel eyes either, it was exactly like the 2013 DTRL on Prado which is basically a low current running into the highbeam globe so it's on but it's not 100% on.

So maybe Toyota dealer can switch this option off??!!

[alanruss Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close alanruss]

Wavelength still out performs HID. I have had several bi-xenon hid equipped cars and am happy to be back to halogen.

Apart from not being able to see u the rain and fog they are don't reach as far and have a harsh cut off due to restrictions on dazzling other road users. No good for Australia.

The only reason they exist is because shelite used to make halogen is running out. Not because they are better.

It can really be one's personal choice without being right or wrong. What I have experienced in my previous car (lot cheaper than my current 2014 Prado Altitude) that HID is brighter, far more longer life, low amps and elegant look but by the same token, an expensive option and Prado indeed is expensive. Self leveling systems in the cars with HIDs is a legal requirement as far as I know. Electrochromatic rear view mirrors are getting most common now a days. Anyone buying Prado regardless what badge you got, deserves no discrimination as far as headlights go, like all other times. Afterall it is PRADO!!!

[Early Member Find all posts View Profile Close Early]

Damn. Sounds like a complicated job to turn the headlights off as DRL. So they're ECU controlled on the gx/gxl?

[Fin6 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fin6]

I ended up turning the park lights at least they are not as bright as the daytime running lights.

[Fin6 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fin6]

I ended up turning the park lights at least they are not as bright as the daytime running lights.

I have since found though that the reversing camera is than dimmed to night vision mode though.

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

I have to laugh at those so self conscious they worry about what the lights look like. It's not like the prado is pretty.

What's worse is the driver either has to put up with a dark screen and cluster all day or an over bright one at night.

Wonders never cease.


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[Early Member Find all posts View Profile Close Early]

I have since found though that the reversing camera is than dimmed to night vision mode though.

Haha! That one made me laugh

My current idea/mod is to turn the DRL headlight off and install LED DRL's into the grill or into the foglight holes. I find LED's are magnitudes more visible than headlights during the day due to the unnatural whiteness of the light.

[Fin6 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fin6]

Yes I think LED DRL's are more acceptable to me probably because it more obvious that someone hasn't just left their lights on. The thing for me though is I do a lot of boating and sometimes launching and retrieving in the dark...and when you are on the ramp it is a courtesy thing that you would turn your lights off while another car is reversing so that they can see what they are doing with out being blinded by some novice.
Anyway hopefully they review DRLs in future models I will certainly be giving the feedback back through my dealer.