Auto Headlights

Picked up my new ‘22 TRD Sport recently and have noticed it doesn’t have auto headlights. I know it’s an option with the Limited. Does anyone know if this can be added? I asked my salesman and he said he didn’t think so but would look into it. Would really like to add that because I’ve become so used to not thinking about turning the lights off and on on previous trucks.

 

It just blows my mind that that's not standard on every car built in 2022.

 

Right? Makes no sense to me. I could go out and buy a $15k Kia and it’ll have auto lights. And I get it it’s not a big deal to turn them on and off but I’ve got so used to not doing that and I don’t want to forget and be driving around with my lights off at night. And I really don’t like the look of driving around in the middle of my day with full lights on. Not the end of the world but obviously I’d rather have it than not.

 

Sorry I don't the answer if automatic head lights can be added later.

Do you have a light sensor on dash to control day time mode and night time mode for your headunit or if you turn on headlights headunit go to dark mode in day time?


if(you have a light sensor on dash to control day time mode and night time mode for your headunit)

Why not keep your headlights turn on all the time? They are LEDs and have a long life vs halogens.​

else if (you don't have the light sensor for the headunit)

You can fix a light sensor for the headunit to switch automatically so you can keep your headlights turn on all the time.
​

else

You can manually turn on and off head lights and be happy that there is one less thing that can fail.
​

** I know curly brackets missing. This is 4Runner forum not code..

 

There's been plenty of discussions about adding auto headlights and no one that I have seen has been able to do it and I have searched plenty. Yup, I have a '22 ORP and while I knew it didn't have them when I bought it, it does kinda suck. The other little thing that kinda sucks is, when you hit the turn signal stalk down, but not into the clicky position, it doesn't do the 3 auto turn signal flashes. My '18 Tundra did it, our 2010 Mini did it, as did most every other vehicle we've owned since 2010. I know, first world problems, I love my 4Runner, but these could have been added a long time ago and should have been standard features. My 2019 Mazda3, most basic car I've owned in 15 years, has everything as standard, plus dual climate controls, radar cruise, blind spot, rear cross traffic alert, blah blah blah, and it was $23K OTD - with AWD. Oh yeah, it's made in Japan. Rant over. I probably would have bought the 4Runner no matter what tech it has tho, it's just an awesome vehicle.

 

Lol! I noticed the turn signal thing also on my way back from the dealership and was like wtf?! That one I can deal with. And obviously I can deal with the headlights too. Just gotta get back in the mindset of doing that when I get in the truck. But yeah…..these are such small things that are basically on every single car made now. I know 4Runners are supposed to be stripped down and simple and that’s part of the appeal and I do love that. But if you’re going to be doing other basic things like Bluetooth and touchscreen entertainment systems cmon…..you can add the auto headlights and lane change thing as well.

 

It's not going to be something you can simply add. It does make sense but that's Toyota, not making much sense with interiors for along time.

 

I know on the Tundras the wiring is there, all you need is a new light stalk and the sensor, its all plug and play, I was thinking about this as well today.

 

Heres a thread on it. I would think the 4runners would be the same.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/adding-auto-on-headlight-to-17’-sr5.53105/

 

Maybe its just me... new to me 2017 TRD Off Road. I leave my lights ON all the time. Start it, they all come on, including fogs, and stay on until i turn the engine off. No chime if engine off, door open, lights on. They shut off around 30 seconds after the doors are locked. Sounds just like my JKU "auto" headlights.

 

Yeah, and if I have to do that I’m sure that will be the route I take. Strictly for aesthetics though, I like the lights off during the day. Just a weird pet peeve I have. Not a huge deal. I was just hoping there was a simple fix.

 

When you say auto lights, I’m assuming you mean headlights turnoff automatically? Is it an option on the Sport? I have a 2022 TRD Sport (purchased in December) and it has auto lights. “Auto” is not listed on the blinker switch, but there is a Auto button with a headlight icon to the right of the power mirror buttons. My Headlights turn off after 45 seconds of turning off the engine. I looked at my window sticker and there is no auto light option listed.



QUOTE="96Cruiser, post: 317831, member: 25030"]Picked up my new ‘22 TRD Sport recently and have noticed it doesn’t have auto headlights. I know it’s an option with the Limited. Does anyone know if this can be added? I asked my salesman and he said he didn’t think so but would look into it. Would really like to add that because I’ve become so used to not thinking about turning the lights off and on on previous trucks.[/QUOTE]

 

That's an eye opener. My '22 ORP has them. Here in Canada they all seem to have auto headlights as well as auto high beams. Actually I wish I had manual control over the high beams but sadly I haven't that figured that out yet working on it. The fogs though are strictly manual.

 

I believe that is your auto highbeams, not headlights. I have that as well, and my Tundra did too.

 

Oh. Well that sounds like auto headlights to me, if they turn themselves off then the vehicle is off. I think the default should be always on anyway, like a motorcycle.

 

WOW. This is not even on ORPs? I have it on my Pro. So it seems only Pro and limited get this feature that 99.9% of new vehicles in the world have?

 

Does the new '22 pro have turn signals on the side mirrors? I can't believe they put it on the lower trims but not the pro.

 

Remember starting 2015 and for some time TRD Pro had nothing other than Bilstien shocks? It was same as base model Trail (later TRD Offroad) except for Bilstien shocks. TRD Pro now has ton of features may be turn signal indicators will come very soon (may be).. Even ventilated seats and parking sensors might come to TRD PRo as well?

Maybe that would give some time for Toyota to look at new Turbo engine problems before they use it on 4Runner?

 

No sir. No mirror-mounted turn signals

 

I thought headlights turn off by themselves after a set time (30 secs) after locking the doors. I always turn my headlights off, but maybe I'll test it out tonight.

 

I believe they OP is referring to them turning on automatically. Which only the limited and pro have this feature.

 

Also, for those that leave their headlights on all the time, knowing that they will turn off when you shut your 4R off, during the day the stereo HU will be in night mode and that's not ideal for a lot of people. My Tundra had auto headlights and I do miss that feature. Obviously not a deal breaker when I bought the 4R, as it wouldn't be for most people, but that feature is nice to have. Would have love to have bought a Pro, but right now the dealers near me are adding way too much market adjustment price. Like most, I'll live with what I have tho.

 

That's true but you can always increase the dimmer to the max and it will not go into night mode. I know this because I thought at first that the screen didn't have a night mode until I found the dimmer switch and turned it down. That was really distracting while driving at night, haha!

 

I will post up what I posted a long time ago here in another thread that asked about the auto headlights, and on the other site. The auto headlight feature is a programmed feature in the BCM. You need to swap out the main body ECU for one that came programmed from the factory with the auto headlights. You can't enable this feature in Techstream or any OBD programming. The photodiode is only a light sensor and has been added to multiple 4Runners from 2014-current to gain the auto dimming of the dash illumination. All you need is the photodiode light sensor to gain dimming lights/display, but it does not add any auto headlight function. The switch is the same but with "auto" printed on it instead of DRL.

The auto headlight feature is all programming based. It requires a new BCM from Toyota that is coded for auto headlights which is roughly $550 or more. It's somewhat cost prohibitive unfortunately.

To sum it up. You need a Limited or TRD Pro BCM (2020+ Smart key vehicles only) or a TRD PRO BCM (15-19MY standard key only) in addition to the photodiode to gain the auto headlight function (The 20+ that came with the standard key are out of luck, as you can't swap a pre-20 BCM into a later model. Completely different ECU circuits). You can't swap a BCM from a standard ignition vehicle into a push button vehicle or vice versus. If you do, you loose all keyless entry control from the fob because the BCM is programmed to communicate to a specific style of keyless entry receivers (Standard key vs. Smart key) but not the physical key fobs themselves (that comes from the door control receiver or smart key ECU). Hope that paints a pretty clear picture of what is needed and why it's not as simple as adding a sensor or changing out the headlight stalk.

 

Thanks for the great info. With people willing to pay ~$1500 to retrofit OEM LED headlights, an extra $550 might be worth it to them. I suspect you’ll get a number of people hitting you up for more instructions.

 

You are right. If we are all shelling out good money for the OEM LED, might as well finish the job fully.

 

Wow, thanks! That’s a lotta info and I’m not gonna pretend to know what most of it means. Lol. But now I at least have something to tell Toyota if I do decide to do it. Much appreciated!

 

My '19 has the auto headlight.

 

Only the Limiteds and Pro Bros had them in 19.

 

the auto high functionality is nice. But I've found that it only really works on highway and interstate driving. and if memory serves you can adjust when your lights turn off after you turn off your vehicle.