Automatic headlights

[Bimmer-Bob]

This thread has been very "illuminating" to say the least. In my 45 years of owning, renting and driving various models I've yet to come across this feature. Thank god. Used to be we had to stretch our arm all the way to the dash to pull out that knob for the lights , then they put it on the tree to just twist. Now we don't even have to do that? Maybe that google car can't come soon enough for some of you.

Next, Maybe we could start a thread about why we don't have the auto wipers that come on when water on the windshield is sensed. :boom:

Next thing you know, people will want cars with transmissions that shift themselves!

Seriously, though, I don't get the smug superiority of some of you. If a car has a feature that you don't like, simply don't use it. What's the point of bashing other people for appreciating something different than you? In your 45 years of owning, renting, and driving have you not learned the basic concept that taste is subjective, and that your opinions are not universal truths?

Like it or not, the auto on/off headlights is a pretty common, mainstream feature these days. If you want to be a luddite about it, that's your prerogative. But why anyone would waste an ounce of energy passing judgement on others over a topic so trivial is beyond me. There are dozens upon dozens of threads in this forum. Fully 80% of them hold no interest for me, so you know what? I don't click on 'em.

 

[jrandom]

Does anyone know what models of Honda or Toyota have auto headlights?
I know my wife's 2013 Honda CR-V EX-L has them. My daughter's 2012 CR-V EX does not. My son's 2014 Subaru Cross Trek does not and it is the top of the line model except it is not a hybrid. My 2015 4Runner SR5 P does not.

I got a loaner 2012 Corolla "S" and it had auto lights. We also have two Pontiac Vibes aka Toyota Matrix, both "sport" models, a 2004 and a 2006 both with auto headlights a decade ago.

Next, Maybe we could start a thread about why we don't have the auto wipers that come on when water on the windshield is sensed. :boom:

the Lexus GX does


Has anyone bothered to see if it is plug and play? The part is only $100.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

Has anyone bothered to see if it is plug and play? The part is only $100.

Which part? You'd need a new stalk with integrated switch, as well as the light sensor. Also, the truck would have to be pre-wired for the light sensor (at least for it to be plug and play). Also, there might be some coding involved (not sure how Toyotas are about this - my experience is more with BMW's, which require coding for everything).

Anyway, I'd be interested in a retrofit if it were reasonably painless. Currently deployed to the Middle East, so unfortunately I can't be the guinea pig on this one right now.

Incidentally, is there some sort of online parts catalog, comlpete with schematics, available for Toyota vehicles? BMW has an awesome one that I reference all the time.

 

[cbreze]

Next thing you know, people will want cars with transmissions that shift themselves!

Seriously, though, I don't get the smug superiority of some of you. If a car has a feature that you don't like, simply don't use it. What's the point of bashing other people for appreciating something different than you? In your 45 years of owning, renting, and driving have you not learned the basic concept that taste is subjective, and that your opinions are not universal truths?

Like it or not, the auto on/off headlights is a pretty common, mainstream feature these days. If you want to be a luddite about it, that's your prerogative. But why anyone would waste an ounce of energy passing judgement on others over a topic so trivial is beyond me. There are dozens upon dozens of threads in this forum. Fully 80% of them hold no interest for me, so you know what? I don't click on 'em.

Lighten up, I'm not passing judgement on anyone. I'm just making fun. You guys are the ones who are to F'n serious. Could care less about what options you or anyone else wants in their car or don't want. I clicked on the thread because I didn't know people were so F'n passionate about such a seemingly(to me) mundane feature . I generally come in here to be entertained, which you and some others have been doing great job of, and sometimes learn something I didn't know. Like auto headlights have been around 20 years at least and come on Huyndai accents? Never knew that little tid bit. Luddite?? Geez.....seriously??:flipoff: .

 

[williamlv282]

Manual headlights are great. I don't miss auto-headlights at all.

I just wish I had a dedicated place to store my sunglasses in my new '15 Trail Premium. I was used to keeping them above me in my truck and now I don't know what to do with them.... besides wear them :thumb3:

 

[Titanpat57]

I hate auto headlights.

That is all.

I realize what a terrible inconvenience it is to reach allllllll the way over to the lighting stem and switch them on.....almost as bad bad as having to deal with turning the temperature knob....and the horror, that poorly placed foot/face/defrost knob....wtf is the matter with people these days.....

 

[dekeman]

My headlights have been in the on position since I got the truck and not shut off since. Safer when you can be seen in front and back.

The bigger problem in the daytime is that having the lights on dims the interior temperature readout and the clock — and neither of those brighten with interior light adjustment on max. So silly.

 

[philsey]

Oh my Aching Uterus! 4 pages of bickering over auto headlights. UNeffing believable.

Now let's discuss that damned rear wiper that only sweeps 82.7 percent of the rear glass, eh?

Ready? Go.

 

[Biggcrisp]

Don't get me started on situational awareness.

OK, I'm starting: here let me give you a self driving car so you can spend more time focused on work. We need to cut your wages now that you don't need to drive yourself...

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

wtf is the matter with people these days.....
]

You mad, bro?

 

[philsey]

You mad, bro?

You've got 8 posts in this silly thread B-B. One would have been enough to state your opinion.

You mad?

Shit, now I'm doing it.

eep:

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

You've got 8 posts in this silly thread B-B. One would have been enough to state your opinion.

You mad?

Shit, now I'm doing it.

eep:

Not mad at all. I am amazed, however, that such an innocuous topic invites so many troll-ish posts. Particularly annoying is the repeated strawman argument whereby a person sarcastically states how difficult or annoying it is to manually control the headlights. Not a single person said anything to that effect. Obviously we know how to operate the lights and obviously we know how to drive and obviously it was not a make or break issue for us when buying the truck. We all bough it, right? So lay off, people.

Some of us appreciate the tech, that's all. I think it's cool when I pull my car into a parking garage and the headlights come on before I even had to think about doing it myself. So what? Obviously enough other people enjoy the feature or it wouldn't be so commonplace these days. But some small-minded people can't resist the urge to poke fun at something, even something that many of them have never even experienced (or knew existed, in one case) firsthand.

It would be like if I started posting in threads about lift kits how I think most guys who go that route are overcompensating for their small penises. It's my opinion. But is it helpful at all? No, so I stay out of those threads. That's how civility works.

 

[1engineer]

Although this following comment could be construed (by my logic) to technically be on topic it is like a baseball sized rock in our galaxy; There but barely lol.

I think within 20 years or so there will be two specific types of vehicles:
1. Automated (with the auto headlight switch lol)
2. Manual

What I mean is this:
With all the cool tech already implemented in affordable vehicles ( Active cruise control, collision avoidance, blind spot monitoring, lane guidance, auto headlights...) I think the next logical step would be a "set it and forget it" cruise control for interstate driving. Next after that would be the full blown auto drive car. I think these will be aerodynamic shapes that will be packed with tech but boring, bland but efficient! Many people will embrace this tech.

About the manual? I also think a sizable demographic will still want to drive their vehicles (and turn on their own headlights) and balk at being forced into the self drive vehicles. These people will still want to actually "drive" their vehicles and operate the controls.
I don't think the days of manual chokes and windows will ever come back though. How it is today will soon be considered archaic and within a decade OEM's will offer the new tech packages along with the old school packages. As a matter of fact many already do to an extent.

 

[Titanpat57]

You mad, bro?

not a troll Bro....not looking for reaction or shock value...could give two flying shits what you, or anyone else thinks...

it's a dirty job, but someone had to go full retard..

Bro...

 

[dekeman]

Jeezus, Pat, don't you know? You nevva go full retard.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oAKG-kbKeIo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

not a troll Bro....not looking for reaction or shock value...could give two flying shits what you, or anyone else thinks...

it's a dirty job, but someone had to go full retard..

Bro...

Oh, please. You troll me and then try to shame me for trolling back. Sophisticated tactic.

I also don't care what you think.

 

[Biggcrisp]

Studies have shown that people who take selfies of themselves driving a BMW are Psychopathic nuts. Lol

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Who would have thought that something as simple as automatic headlights would bring out all this anger in everyone.

 

[jrandom]

Which part? You'd need a new stalk with integrated switch, as well as the light sensor. Also, the truck would have to be pre-wired for the light sensor (at least for it to be plug and play). Also, there might be some coding involved (not sure how Toyotas are about this - my experience is more with BMW's, which require coding for everything).

Anyway, I'd be interested in a retrofit if it were reasonably painless. Currently deployed to the Middle East, so unfortunately I can't be the guinea pig on this one right now.

Incidentally, is there some sort of online parts catalog, comlpete with schematics, available for Toyota vehicles? BMW has an awesome one that I reference all the time.

The sensor is roughly $112, didn't realize you needed a stalk too that's another $110, about the computer, that seems silly/stupid that they would have a different one for just for that option. Maybe there is a larger option set that come with a different ECU who knows these days. Only digging and tinkering will reveal the answers you seek young Jedi.

/speculative mode = on/
Not always, often it seems the harnesses are run if it is a port or dealer installed option, are they not? I imagine this may also a regional thing, being something you would ship standard in the furthest latitudes from the equator.
/speculative mode = off/

You can drop a few bucks and get time limited access to TIS where you can mole through the $1600 worth of paper manuals online to your hearts content. There used to be a 2010 version pdf'd kicking around somewhere.

 

[Masaro]

No one is angry!!! Who said we were angry?!?! We just love automatic headlights!!!! :ak47:

who would have thought that something as simple as automatic headlights would bring out all this anger in everyone.