Veil Of Darkness

I am glad to part of this 4Runner Group and look forward to being an active participant. I currently own a 2021, Toyota 4Runner, TRD/Pro,(Lunar Rock). I am currently experiencing a problem while driving my vehicle at night, particularly in rural area’s of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The problem I am having is when I am driving on a dark road (3/4) of my front windshield goes into a dark shade. If I am on a road dark road that is hilly, I almost have to lean sideways and duck down to see what is ahead. Any and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Never heard anything like this before......
Did you purchase this new........someone tint your windshield?

 

Although I understand how hard it is to drive at night when you can't see, I'm struggling just a bit with your problem statement. The 4Runner windshield does not darken / tint all of a sudden. In fact, it doesn't tint / darken at all - other than the tint built into the windshield which does not change. (I just had a new OEM windshield installed, so I know where the factory tint is.)

When you say 3/4 of your windshield goes dark, what part (top 3/4, left 3/4, bottom 3/4, right 3/4) goes dark? When it does happen, how dark is dark? Can you see anything at all? Are you sure it's not just fogging of the windshield - which can have several causes?

 

Yes, I purchased the vehicle from a Toyota Dealership here in Massachusetts. I will be heading to the dealership this week,(at night) to show them the problem. I described the problem over the phone to a service rep and he seemed puzzled!

 

The darkness starts from the top and goes down the full width of the windshield. My spouse is a witness to this issue and we both are on top of eye health and have our eyes/visions checked every (6) months.

 

Check to see if they put an aftermarket tint on it before you bought it. Bought my ‘21 Pro lightly used and they had tinted the fronts too much. My old eyes couldn’t see out the side (including mirrors) at night. I removed the tint and installed tint that allowed more light which solved my problem.

Edit: BTW, welcome to the forum. Let us know what they find.

 

Probably something simple, service guy will find the problem. Maybe set your heater control to defrost and make sure AC is not turned on. If you have a heated garage park the truck in there overnight and roll windows down to remove any humidity inside the cab.

 

Actually, the A/C comes on automatically in Defrost mode - even if you didn't ask for it. A/C dehumidifies the air and thus defrosts your windshield faster than it would without it.

 

I am interested to hear an update on this after his Dealer visit.

 

Thank you folks for your input. Again, this issue happens when I drive on unlighted roads, not the main highways and interstates. The best way I can describe the issue it’s like a superimposed vail of darkness that appears on the windshield 3/4, from the top of the entire windshield.

 

Sounds very odd. Not to be a dick, but you're positive it's the windshield itself and not just the hard line of illumination created by the headlights? It is a pretty sudden shift from lit to not — much more so than older style halogen headlights. Maybe your eyes are playing a trick on you?

 

You bought it used right? Can you take a picture of the vehicle from the front with all the windows up and another from the front with all of the windows down? Sounds like your windshield is tinted and when you have no overhead lights, the tint is not letting you see outside very well.

 

This is what I had in mind when I read the OP as well.


*veil

 

I have found it difficult to see out of the side windows at night on dark roads due to the bright dashboard lights reflecting off the interior of the side windows. I have since dimmed down the dash lights to the lowest level. Still can be a problem at times. I have had to lower the side windows down on several occasions when turning on dark country roads or turning around in dark places with no exterior lights / street lights.

 

Never got a straight answer to this question!

 

Do you happen to wear polarized glasses? Just throwing out some thoughts?

 

It could very well be a defective windshield. Optics can be tricky. I know that in the aviation world, pilots do not use polarized sunglasses because it blanks out the electronic flight displays.

 

That sounds like aftermarket tinting to me. I've noticed clarity in the dark through my aftermarket tinted driver and passenger windows is not as good as my factory-tinted read windows.

 

The OP should post live pictures though.
Or visit a tint shop to crosscheck with a meter.

 

Maybe some computer blue blocker glasses might help if it is the ambient light from the dash/head unit? I have 20/20 and this helps me with eye fatigue.

 

As mentioned no aftermarket tint involved. I took delivery of the vehicle from the dealership, 11, miles on the odometer. The hard line illumination presented maybe the culprit….halogen lights.

 

All stock - no mods!

 

If it were indeed the headlights, you don't have halogens. You have LED projectors - which tend to have a very well (some would say too well) defined - horizontal cutoff line. Does the problem lessen or go away with your high beams?

 

Does it look anything like this:



Factory stock LED headlights on my 2021 SR5 Premium.

 

That is a pretty sharp cutoff. And I bet that is his issue.

 

First thing I thought is the OP is not used to LED headlights so is not used to the stark cutoff, with lots of Illumination below the line and basically zero above it.

The brighter output of these headlights combined with the sharp cutoff will make everything above the cutoff (i.e. looking out the “top 3/4 of the windshield”) seem especially dark in comparison.

There’s probably nothing wrong with the windshield. Or the headlights. OP just not used to that much contrast.

 

I'm really having trouble understanding this "veil" of darkness.

 

Ironically back in the day you had to pay extra for polarization.

However, I struggle to find the sunglasses I like that are non-polarized for a similar reason. I shoot a lot of photography and can't see the screen unless I turn my head 90 degrees. I imagine pilots don't feel like doing that while flying a plane....

 

Agree very oddly stated problem. And oddly stated spooky theorizing about leaning over and ducking down to see better. Almost begging a response that would confirm paranormal involvement.

The way it’s written it seems to force us into one of two conclusions…. The vehicle is chomping down on you to eat you (ala Christine). Or a dark ghost lives inside the confines of the windshield. “We might never know the truth” and “You be the judge!”


The LED headlights are technically quite good, but the cutoff is ridiculous on the 4runner (lots of other modern cars as well). It affects the user experience a great degree. Makes it spooky even. I’d prefer less light if it meant a little spill forwards. I’m constantly using my highbeams on anything other than perfectly flat roads.

What the heck is wrong with a little spill light toyota???

 

Is your infotainment lighting set correctly?
Is it super bright at night?
If so, you should read your manual to set it properly for day / night illumination.
Reason for me asking / stating such is it may be too bright and causing your pupils to contract making it difficult to see at night!

Just sayin'