No Auto Lights?

Do certain 4Runner models not have auto on lights when it gets dark? We have a 2019 TRD Pro and it does but then we have a 40th anniversary and it doesn't seem to have them. Am I missing something?

Thanks,

C

 

If you compare different 4 Runner trims on the Toyota site it appears only the TRD Pro and Limited have auto on headlights

 

The lights will auto turn off after you shut down the truck and lock it if you leave them in the on position i.e. if you forget to turn them off. All you can do is get the light sensor for the dash. This will auto adjust the dash lights for day/night conditions when the headlights are on.

It ends up working like a poor man’s auto headlights

 

Thats crazy. Why would any car post 1999 not have auto lights? I would think the NHTSA would require it. Now that I am looking out for it, I have seen two 4Runners drive off in to the night without their lights on. Safety concern? Thats just crazy.

 

In the US, only the Limited and the Pro Bro have them.

 

Not sure if that is a safety concern as it's drivers responsibility to turn on headlights but a convenience feature imo. I would think my TRD Pro not having a turn signal indicator on the mirror could be a safety concern as simply it doesn't exist unless I roll down my window and use hand signals to anyone on my side.
Pre 2020 4runners having halogen headlights are a safety issue too and it's marked as poor safety in IIHS. 40th anniversary having LED headlights is a big improvement in safety also having automatic highbeam is a safety improvement for the on coming traffic along with many more safety features added to the 40th Anniversary even though it's based on the base model SR5 with just appearance styling. Don't get me wrong, all I'm saying is automatic headlight is a convenient feature not a safety issue.

 

No auto lights on my 18’ SR5.

 

Headlights on at night and inclement weather is for safety. Having the vehicle turn them on under those circumstances when the driver forgets/can't be bothered to is a safety feature IMO.

I often see vehicles at night or in bad weather with no headlights. Toyota owners in particular seem to be really good for that.

Personally I think DOT / NHTSA should make auto headlights a requirement.

 

I have only seen one vehicle with auto lights that comes on with wiper use. That was a facelift Chrysler Concorde of all things.

 

Imagine how much money police would lose not being able to write tickets when people forget to turn on their headlights lol!

 

I am sorry but I disagree with this comment. It is 100% a safety concern. If 85% of vehicles on the road have auto lights then those of us who drive multiple vehicles would become accustomed to them coming on in 85% of our vehicles. So we should just remember to turn them on with the cars that don't have it? You are going to risk your life driving in the dark on my ability to remember that? What about the people who rent cars? You expect them to randomly remember to turn their headlights on when they have been driving a car that has auto lights for 10 years? This should be standardized no differently than seat belts, third brake lights, airbags, etc. Far too many people die in auto accidents and this is a very simple solution to potentially prevent accidents at night.

 

I’ve managed to find myself in snow so bad with a prior vehicle that I could see better with no lights - maybe Toyota is thinking ahead.

 

How long does it take for them to turn off like that? Mine stay on for long enough that I don't want to see if another minute is going to do it.

 

I have a 2023 TRD off road premium and I was surprised it didn’t have auto on/off lights. I have had a good amount of vehicles over the years and never had one without til now

 

I see it this way, if you can’t remember to turn on your lights or check to see if they’re on, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel. Even auto headlights won’t stop a ID-10T driver and they get worse as everything gets automated.

 

Auto lights are a terrible idea. I see people driving all the time with no taillights on because they are using auto lights.

100%. And if someone cant remember to turn on there lights in the dark they have bigger problems than needing auto lights.

 

I think those are DTRLs. It would be the same if I never turned on my lights. I’m not sure how people think their lights are on when the road isn’t lit up.

 

That makes more sense. But yeah, how can anyone forget to turn on the lights in the dark.....

 

It doesn’t matter how. It only matters that people do.

Seriously? Someone forgets to turn their lights on one time they shouldn’t be able to drive? Cmon man if I applied that methodology to every aspect of your life you would have very few privileges.

 

Don’t forget not signaling, not knowing what to do when a signal is flashing red or when there’s a power outage so it’s off, speeding way over the limit because you have to snort copium to get through the day…we do it to ourselves anyway.

 

Yes.

Also yes.
Do you randomly forget to wipe your ass after using a badet for years? What planet am I even on right now my goodness.

You're hypothetical inability to remember to flick headlights on, like every car for decades, makes me worried about my life on the road with you.

 

There’s even an indicator to tell you they’re on. Don’t see it, turn them on.

 

Having gone from high tech vehicles to the 4Runner, which is almost like taking a 10 year step backwards, it reinforces my belief that additional assistance doesn't make anyone safer...you adapt to the tech and end up being no safer for it.

The only thing I think is a huge benefit is the advent of 360 cameras. Those are absolutely fantastic given the amount of blindspots that modern vehicles have.

 

My ORP has push button start. Can't tell you how many times I've sat in our Crosstrek, that uses a key, pressing that silver slotted area, wondering why the car won't start.

 

Looks like it can be adjusted: 30, 60, 90 seconds. Haven't tried it on mine yet, but here's the video I found.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMf_kFlFGos

 

Love your comments. They are very entertaining. Just not very productive. It’s all about eliminating human error. Which is why the entire industry will eventually become autonomous. When people have Lasik eye surgery why do 95% of them opt for the computer to perform the operation over the doctor?
I was told long ago you can’t rationalize with insanity. And here I am trying to be rational.

So why have them at all in any manufacturer?

 

I stand by my comments.
I understand what you're saying, I do.
I just couldn't resist talking some sense back into this thread. Get a Tesla if you don't want to drive. I don't want everything automated, personally. You're going off about why you don't have auto lights - first comment tells you why, you could have prolly googled it

 

Computer errors vs human error - take your pick.

When you own an autonomous car, YOU will be the one legally liable for anything that occurs as the result of hardware or software deciding to do something that results in injury or death.

That’s why lobbyists make the money they do.

 

To both of you. I said the industry is heading toward autonomy. No where did I say I wanted it to. And I don’t know how getting a Tesla applies. But again answer the question, why would any manufacturer make auto lights? Apparently someone, actually many someone’s thought it was a good idea. That is what I am saying.

 

@coachhomer yeah no I don't wanna beat a dead horse, I agree auto headlights are a good idea and nice feature. I don't have the answer to your question though. I just found your comments troubling about people not being able to remember flicking lights - we're very smart beings, we perform 100x harder tasks on our smart devices