Uhh...do headlights have to be manually turned on for interior lights to work?

I'm expecting this will be a contender for stupid question of the year...or even decade. But here we go anyway...

Do I have to manually turn my headlights on for the interior panel lights (drive selector, AC system indicators, etc.) to turn on?

I drove my new 4Runner in the dark for the first time today as it was my first day commuting with it. When I turned the car on, the interior was completely black with the exception of my instrument cluster. My first thought was a blown fuse, but I eventually figured out that everything lit up once I turned my lights from DRL to "on".

I realize that sounds really obvious, but the past couple cars I've had had automatic interior lights that adjusted based on exterior light conditions. Meaning, I've not had to worry about lights (external or internal) for several years. Just want to make sure I'm not missing something here.

And yes, I'm reading through my owners manual right now.

 

Welcome to the 4Runner, the patron saint of "my other car did this automatically".

Sorry man, there aren't any ambient light sensors on board except maybe for auto headlights on the Limited. You can tweak the dash brightness with this, but it doesn't control any of your switchgear.

 

Doh!

I'm totally okay with that. I actually prefer the climate control system not being fully automated.

I'm just glad that I a) don't have to fix anything and b) I didn't take it into the dealer 1 week after buying it for something so silly!

 

Actually I like an "auto" setting for the headlights and miss it with the 4Runner. Just have a slight problem manually turning things on and off on a 2018 when I didn't have to in a 2009 I mean aren't we supposed to move "onward and upward?" Yeah I know I could of gotten it in a Limited.

 

What do you mean by "auto" headlights? Do you mean the ones that come on when it gets dark or turn off by themselves after the car is turned off? A double tap on the fob's lock button turns them off.

 

Always "double tap"

 

Don't get me wrong, this is a feature I think should be pretty standard these days. Last car I had that didn't have it was an '03 F150. Since then I've had an '09, '12, & '17 that all had it.

I'll get used to it though. But as I type this thread, I just realized that I forgot to turn the lights off when I parked this morning!!!

 

Yes that's what I mean. I like(d) just leaving the setting on auto and never worrying about it or doing a thing.

 

They should go off automatically after a certain time period. If you get the Carista obdii reader you can change that time delay.

 

I noticed, and am thankful that's the case. I managed to forget twice yesterday!

What's the downside of just leaving the lights on all the time if they shut off automatically? Isn't that pretty much the same functionality as an automatic headlight system just without the sensors?

 

No downside I can think of, really, other than reduced bulb life.

Anything else?

 

Almost complained recently about the fact that my '16, and now '18 SR5s were the first vehicles I'd ever owned where starting the ignition automatically illuminated my dash displays, even though the headlights remain off. In the previous setups I would need to turn on headlights to make this happen. Now I have to remind myself to at dusk to turn my lights on before pulling away from happy hour.

 

I think you are talking about the ambient lighting? Yes it only works when you have your headlights on. I keep my DRL's on 24/7 so it's always working. Emits a nice glow into the cabin so I can easily find my beer.

 

No, the cabin lights aren't on when DRL is on. Only when the lights are all fully switched on.

 

My bad. You be right. Meant headlights.

 

It’s because people are stupid, manufacturers have it so the interior is dark until headlights go on. It’s a subtle reminder that you need your lights on when it’s to dark to see the interior, driving from daylight as it gets dark it’s gradual and a lot of people don’t turn headlights on because their drls put out a bit of light so they don’t think twice until they can’t see inside.