Automatic Headlamps?

[Bimmer-Bob]

I just picked up a new 4Runner this evening, a 2014 SR5 Premium 4x4. Awesome truck so far!

Looking through Toyota's website, it specifically says that the Premium is equipped with "Projector-beam headlights with smoked trim and auto on/off feature." But there is no "auto" position on the control stalk, nor is there an ambient light sensor on the dash. I'm pretty irritated - I mean, I was going to get the Premium anyway for the SofTex seats & the Nav, but I've become accustomed to having auto headlamps on my recent cars (like the $19k Ford Focus I just traded). Yeah, I can live without them & turn on the lights the old fashioned way, but the point is that the brochure explicitly describes auto on/off as a feature of the Premium package.

So what gives?

 

[ryan87]

On my 12' if you leave the switch on the lights shut off when you hit the lock button on the keypad

 

[1engineer]

Mine has it. If I leave the headlights on when I get out of the vehicle the 4Runner will automatically turn them off after a bit. When I get back in and start it, *BOOM* they come back on. I know its probably magic how that auto off-on feature works.

 

[tobyson21]

Auto on/off based on light

I think Bob may be referring to an auto on/off feature based on ambient light.

Sorry if I'm misreading it. I have it in my 2014 limited, but I'm sorry, I never looked in the SR5 or Trail. I did look at the brochure and the wording is ambiguous. "Auto" can mean, they turn themselves off/on, but light sensing is what I think should be called out on the Limited by Toyota.

Anyway, i went out and took a picture of my headlight stalk that shows the "auto" position that I think may be what Bob is looking for.

Hope this helps!
T

 

[eddiebx]

Mine has it. If I leave the headlights on when I get out of the vehicle the 4Runner will automatically turn them off after a bit. When I get back in and start it, *BOOM* they come back on. I know its probably magic how that auto off-on feature works.

Lol, I really hope this is not what Toyota is trying to pawn off as an "auto on/off" feature. This pretty much came on almost every Toyota/Lexus that I can remember since way back in the late 90s.

I think my dad's camry does the same thing, but back then it was just a "safety" feature to prevent unintentionally draining your battery. I can't recall, but I think it might have been called an auto-off only feature?

I am pretty sure ours does the same exactly thing with the parking lights too, I'm surprised Toyota didn't advertise it as auto on/off parking lights as well!

Go try it, keep the doors closed and the parking lights on, once you open the doors you should see the parking lights turn off. The only way to turn it back on is if you restart the car, or if you cycle the switch on the stalk off and back on.

I don't know about you guys, but when I hear AUTO ON/OFF headlights, I immediately think light sensing headlights like the ones that come on the LE

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

I think Bob may be referring to an auto on/off feature based on ambient light.

Sorry if I'm misreading it. I have it in my 2014 limited, but I'm sorry, I never looked in the SR5 or Trail. I did look at the brochure and the wording is ambiguous. "Auto" can mean, they turn themselves off/on, but light sensing is what I think should be called out on the Limited by Toyota.

Anyway, i went out and took a picture of my headlight stalk that shows the "auto" position that I think may be what Bob is looking for.

Hope this helps!
T

Yeah, this is what I was thinking of. So I guess it's only on the Limited, huh? Pretty lame of Toyota to pawn of the Premiums as having an "auto on/off" feature. I mean, what is the aut on, exactly? Like if I turn on the ignition, the lights "automatically" come on, assuming the switch was left to on? And they "automatically" turn off when you turn of the car? Cool, I remember when my mom's brand-new-at-the-time 1987 Pontiac Bonneville did that. So what - does the base SR5 just drain the battery if you forget to switch the lights off?

 

[1engineer]

Yeah, this is what I was thinking of. So I guess it's only on the Limited, huh? Pretty lame of Toyota to pawn of the Premiums as having an "auto on/off" feature. I mean, what is the aut on, exactly? Like if I turn on the ignition, the lights "automatically" come on, assuming the switch was left to on? And they "automatically" turn off when you turn of the car? Cool, I remember when my mom's brand-new-at-the-time 1987 Pontiac Bonneville did that. So what - does the base SR5 just drain the battery if you forget to switch the lights off?

You need to go trade for the LE I guess. Auto off to me means they cut off after so many seconds after you turn the vehicle off. I have the strength and durability and the intestinal fortitude to manually turn that little stalk actuator 1/4 turn when it gets too dark for me to see.

 

[eddiebx]

Heh, you know what just occurred to me...what if this was another marketing blunder kind of like those missing XM antennas and turn signal lights in the mirrors? http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/154147-2014-sr5-missing-turn-signals-mirrors-5.html

OP, If it really bothers you maybe you should contact Toyota and file a complaint?

I just noticed that the on/off feature [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] is talking about that's standard on our TE models was actually advertised as just an "auto off" (took a look in the brochure that came with my 4runner right now).

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

You need to go trade for the LE I guess. Auto off to me means they cut off after so many seconds after you turn the vehicle off. I have the strength and durability and the intestinal fortitude to manually turn that little stalk actuator 1/4 turn when it gets too dark for me to see.

Good for you. As I said, I can do so myself as well, but think that when a company advertises "auto on/off" as a premium feature in a 2014 vehicle, that it is reasonable to assume that there is an ambient light sensor involved. As I said, my $19K Ford Focus had this feature. And, as I also said, the feature you mention was standard in a car over 25 years old.

Anyway, it's really nothing I can't live with, but it's a little disappointing when you're expecting something, even something small, and those expectations are not met. Surely, in addition to your other wonderful attributes, you have the intelligence to understand that?

 

[1engineer]

Good for you. As I said, I can do so myself as well, but think that when a company advertises "auto on/off" as a premium feature in a 2014 vehicle, that it is reasonable to assume that there is an ambient light sensor involved. As I said, my $19K Ford Focus had this feature. And, as I also said, the feature you mention was standard in a car over 25 years old.

Anyway, it's really nothing I can't live with, but it's a little disappointing when you're expecting something, even something small, and those expectations are not met. Surely, in addition to your other wonderful attributes, you have the intelligence to understand that?

No worries. I knew up front that my '11 SR5 had only "Auto Off" as that was what was advertised, so when I got the '12 TE I again understood that. Plus I was just being my usual sarcastic self with the last post. It does not translate to posts very well unless you know me like [MENTION=85512]eddiebx[/MENTION] and others who have read 1000's of my posts. I think a trend develops over time and you know what to expect from a certain poster. I feel your pain but I would go back and check the literature once again and make sure it said "Auto On - Off" instead of "Auto Off."

 

[eddiebx]

[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION], I check the 2014 brochure, and it seems to say that all premium models come with "auto on-off"; that's why I was comparing it to our '12 brochure, where it only says "auto-off" for our TEs...

Hence me suggesting that Toyota might've dropped the ball here again, lol.

 

[nevada]

I have no dog in this fight, as mine is a 4th gen..

but, based on what was said above, "auto on/off" lights to ME would be just that. they would automatically turn off when engine gets turned off, and back on again once its started. assuming you have them in the correct position.

if it said auto sensing lights, then yes, I might expect something different.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

No worries. I knew up front that my '11 SR5 had only "Auto Off" as that was what was advertised, so when I got the '12 TE I again understood that. Plus I was just being my usual sarcastic self with the last post. It does not translate to posts very well unless you know me like [MENTION=85512]eddiebx[/MENTION] and others who have read 1000's of my posts. I think a trend develops over time and you know what to expect from a certain poster. I feel your pain but I would go back and check the literature once again and make sure it said "Auto On - Off" instead of "Auto Off."

It's cool, I've been around forums enough & know the drill. No offense taken.

 

[1000MPH]

Is it on the window sticker? I hope someone calls Toyota for an explanation. Seems like another screw-up to me. I personally do not like auto on but WTH?

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

Looks like Toyota finally updated their website to show the auto on/off feature as "not available" on the SR5:

 

[sickk21]

I'm kind of surprised there isn't an auto on. I'm a little disappointed that my LE doesn't have the courtesy blink, like the 3 blinks for the blinker.

 

[firegod33r]

So I wanted to bring this old post back to life because I too am shocked that the 2017 TRD OR PR does not have that "auto" headlight function as well, but apparently the TRD PRO does? can anyone confirm this? or is this still only on the LE?
page 212 of my manual shoes 4 different headlight switch combinations
A,B,C and D. I'm just curious to know why Toyota didn't put this on some of the other models.

 

[HTXpro]

So I wanted to bring this old post back to life because I too am shocked that the 2017 TRD OR PR does not have that "auto" headlight function as well, but apparently the TRD PRO does? can anyone confirm this? or is this still only on the LE?
page 212 of my manual shoes 4 different headlight switch combinations
A,B,C and D. I'm just curious to know why Toyota didn't put this on some of the other models.

Yes, the Pro and Limited are the only two in the 4Runner line to come equipped with light sensing automatic headlights.

 

[firegod33r]

Yes, the Pro and Limited are the only two in the 4Runner line to come equipped with light sensing automatic headlights.

Thanks for the info

 

[1000MPH]

The 2018 brochure also shows it's still only available on Pro and Limited.