DRL on/off switch?????

[Heatwave3]

Here's a curious question. I was trying to figure out how to turn the DRL on or off. I checked the manual and couldn't find anything about the switch. I called the dealer and he said it should be on the very end of the headlight "stalk". I told him that there are only 2 switches on that stalk. The outer most switch has off, a "dot' for parking lights, a headlight beam symbol for "on" and "Auto". The 2nd switch is "off" or "on" for the fog lights.

There does not appear to be a switch for the DRLs. This was an option on my vehicle and was listed on the window sticker as $40 for the DRL on/off switch. The dealer couldn't figure it out over the phone and said he'd call back. He called me back today and said he checked the 10 Sequoias on the lot. All of them have the DRL on/off switch listed as an option on the window sticker. None of them have the DRL switch, at least as far as the dealer can figure out. They plan to check with Toyota on Monday.

Anyone else have an 08 Sequoia with the DRL on/off option and have a switch on the stalk or anywhere else?

[pagemaster]

I checked the manual and couldn't find anything about the switch. I called the dealer and he said it should be on the very end of the headlight "stalk".

If I am correct. Your Toyota like mine can be left in the head light on position which defeats the DRL but only uses the headlamps. So basically you can drive all day, year and life long with out ever using the DRL but only using the headlamps. Thats how my 2003 works....

[mdolloff]

Heat - I believe as long as you have no other lights on, the DRL are just on... all the time. I had a couple 4Runners Ltds before my Seq and it was the same thing. It seems when you get that option its like the lights on the bottom of the fuselage of a commercial jet... on all the time.

[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by Heatwave3

Here's a curious question. I was trying to figure out how to turn the DRL on or off. I checked the manual and couldn't find anything about the switch. I called the dealer and he said it should be on the very end of the headlight "stalk". I told him that there are only 2 switches on that stalk. The outer most switch has off, a "dot' for parking lights, a headlight beam symbol for "on" and "Auto". The 2nd switch is "off" or "on" for the fog lights.

There does not appear to be a switch for the DRLs. This was an option on my vehicle and was listed on the window sticker as $40 for the DRL on/off switch. The dealer couldn't figure it out over the phone and said he'd call back. He called me back today and said he checked the 10 Sequoias on the lot. All of them have the DRL on/off switch listed as an option on the window sticker. None of them have the DRL switch, at least as far as the dealer can figure out. They plan to check with Toyota on Monday.

Anyone else have an 08 Sequoia with the DRL on/off option and have a switch on the stalk or anywhere else?

There is not a DRL on off switch

Per the Toyota new car features documentation:

The daytime running light system is designed to automatically illuminate the turn signal lights, during the daytime to keep the vehicle highly visible to other vehicles.

The daytime running light system is controlled by the main body ECU and flasher relay.

This system is enabled when the conditions given below are met.
– Ignition switch is ON.
– Parking brake switch is OFF.
– Light control switch is not in the AUTO position. (The DRL will operate until the automatic light control system illuminates the headlights.)
– Engine speed signal is input (engine running condition).
– Low beam is not ON.

Per your owner's manual:

Daytime running light system (if equipped)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the front turn signal lights turn on automatically whenever the engine is started and the parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by nhparrot

There is not a DRL on off switch

Per the Toyota new car features documentation:

The daytime running light system is designed to automatically illuminate the turn signal lights, during the daytime to keep the vehicle highly visible to other vehicles.

The daytime running light system is controlled by the main body ECU and flasher relay.

This system is enabled when the conditions given below are met.
– Ignition switch is ON.
– Parking brake switch is OFF.
– Light control switch is not in the AUTO position. (The DRL will operate until the automatic light control system illuminates the headlights.)
– Engine speed signal is input (engine running condition).
– Low beam is not ON.

Per your owner's manual:

Daytime running light system (if equipped)
To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the front turn signal lights turn on automatically whenever the engine is started and the parking brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.

Parrot, thanks for the detailed feedback although I'm still somewhat confused. In my GM the DRLs are actually headlights. Are DRLs in Toyota the marker lights and not some type of headlight?

I'm also confused by the statement that the DRLs do not work when the stalk is set to "Auto" (until the automatic light control system illuminates the headlights). When else would the DRLs be activated except when the headlights are off, therefore do the DRLs function during the daylight when the stalk is set to Auto but the headlights are off?

I ask about this because when I was driving I was behind a vehicle and did not see a reflection of my headlights in the car ahead of me, therefore I assumed the DRLs were not functioning. The marker lights did show in the reflection. Does Toyota define DRLs as "marker" lights? If so that would be a different definition from every other manufacturer that generally defines aDRLs as some type of white halogen light that resembles a headlight that functions during daytime.

[tundradg]

In the Sequoia (and my Tundra) the DRLs are actually our turn signal lamps. When the stalk is set to "Auto" the DRLs are illuminated until the dusk sensor turns the headlamps/foglamps on (depending on whether or not you have that portion of the stalk set to "On" or "Off").

Toyota uses several versions of DRLs, depending on the model. In the Camry, and other models, the DRLs are the high beams lit to about 50%, as is the case with some GM models. In the Camry, the DRLs can also be turned "Off" if you so wish.

In some GM vehicles (the Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevrolet Corvette, etc. come to mind) they use the turn signal as the DRL. In other GMs (i.e. my parents Chevrolet Silverados) the DRLs are independent of the turn signal.

When I drive behind a vehicle in my Tundra, I see the turn signal lights illuminated in the truck's reflection...

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by tundradg

In the Sequoia (and my Tundra) the DRLs are actually our turn signal lamps. When the stalk is set to "Auto" the DRLs are illuminated until the dusk sensor turns the headlamps/foglamps on (depending on whether or not you have that portion of the stalk set to "On" or "Off").

Toyota uses several versions of DRLs, depending on the model. In the Camry, and other models, the DRLs are the high beams lit to about 50%, as is the case with some GM models. In the Camry, the DRLs can also be turned "Off" if you so wish.

In some GM vehicles (the Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevrolet Corvette, etc. come to mind) they use the turn signal as the DRL. In other GMs (i.e. my parents Chevrolet Silverados) the DRLs are independent of the turn signal.

When I drive behind a vehicle in my Tundra, I see the turn signal lights illuminated in the truck's reflection...

Tundardg, thank you for the very clear explanation of how the DRLs function on the Tundra/Sequoia.

One last question. Since the website and the window sticker describe the DRLs as "Daytime running lights with on/off feature", how would you actually turn the DRLs off since there's no separate switch on the stalk?

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by Heatwave3

Tundardg, thank you for the very clear explanation of how the DRLs function on the Tundra/Sequoia.

One last question. Since the website and the window sticker describe the DRLs as "Daytime running lights with on/off feature", how would you actually turn the DRLs off since there's no separate switch on the stalk?

I consulted my window sticker and the Toyota website to see if I could further find information on this.

On my window sticker, the option RL Daytime Running Lights. Ironically, I was unable to find the Auto On/Off function of my headlamps on there at all (not under the options list OR standard equipment list).

What I believe you are describing is the Auto On/Off feature for the headlamps, which may just be tied into the Daytime Running Lights option. However, if it's worded the way that you describe it, I would assume that the DRLs could be disabled. As far as my Tundra is concerned, I had found several potential solutions that described some sort of flashing of high beams sequence that I followed and had no such luck with actually turning off the DRLs. I did find out last evening when I was installing something that when I turn the lights to the "OFF" position at night, all of the exterior lights do go out, whereas during the day when they are put to the "OFF" position, the DRLs remain illuminated.

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by tundradg

I consulted my window sticker and the Toyota website to see if I could further find information on this.

On my window sticker, the option RL Daytime Running Lights. Ironically, I was unable to find the Auto On/Off function of my headlamps on there at all (not under the options list OR standard equipment list).

What I believe you are describing is the Auto On/Off feature for the headlamps, which may just be tied into the Daytime Running Lights option. However, if it's worded the way that you describe it, I would assume that the DRLs could be disabled. As far as my Tundra is concerned, I had found several potential solutions that described some sort of flashing of high beams sequence that I followed and had no such luck with actually turning off the DRLs. I did find out last evening when I was installing something that when I turn the lights to the "OFF" position at night, all of the exterior lights do go out, whereas during the day when they are put to the "OFF" position, the DRLs remain illuminated.

My window sticker actual has the option "RL" listed with the following description "Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with On/Off feature" followed by "$40". I assumed this meant there was a switch that allowed the operator to turn the DRLs On or Off. Seemed pretty straight-forward but I guess in Toyotaland things are sometimes less than obvious.

Kinda like finding out that to retract the center 3rd row shoulder seat belt back into the ceiling, the manual says you're supposed to use the ignition key to disengage the seat belt so it can be retracted. Do they really expect the driver to go back to the third row or to pass the keys to a kid so they can disengage the ctr seat belt for retraction when the ctr seat is no longer occupied?. Seems abit odd or is this a normal past procedure with Toyota Sequoias that I'm just unfamiliar with?

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by Heatwave3

My window sticker actual has the option "RL" listed with the following description "Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with On/Off feature" followed by "$40". I assumed this meant there was a switch that allowed the operator to turn the DRLs On or Off. Seemed pretty straight-forward but I guess in Toyotaland things are sometimes less than obvious.

Kinda like finding out that to retract the center 3rd row shoulder seat belt back into the ceiling, the manual says you're supposed to use the ignition key to disengage the seat belt so it can be retracted. Do they really expect the driver to go back to the third row or to pass the keys to a kid so they can disengage the ctr seat belt for retraction when the ctr seat is no longer occupied?. Seems abit odd or is this a normal past procedure with Toyota Sequoias that I'm just unfamiliar with?

Judging by what you're saying, I would assume that your DRLs had an on/off switch as well...

And that seatbelt thing...Wouldn't it be like other seatbelts that retract and just need any key or other object that will fit just to release the belt? I think Toyota just uses those words so as to let people know that they should use an object roughly the shape or size of a key so people don't think they should try to for a half hour to do it with their finger which would probably be a waste of a half hour so just to try the key in their hand instead lol

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by tundradg

Judging by what you're saying, I would assume that your DRLs had an on/off switch as well...

And that seatbelt thing...Wouldn't it be like other seatbelts that retract and just need any key or other object that will fit just to release the belt? I think Toyota just uses those words so as to let people know that they should use an object roughly the shape or size of a key so people don't think they should try to for a half hour to do it with their finger which would probably be a waste of a half hour so just to try the key in their hand instead lol

Yes, I believe the intent is to suggest that any object the shape and size of an ignition key will release the center shoulder seat belt allowing it to retract back into the ceiling. I'm just curious why it would require any object instead of a push button that can disengage the belt for retraction? Not sure what the logic is for making it difficult to disengage when every other belt in the vehicle can be disengaged by pressing a button.

Just to clarify, the belt can be unlocked for the passenger to exit by pressing the seat belt release button however the belt can't be disengaged to be retracted into the ceiling without inserting some type of "tool" (key or other instrument). Can anyone explain why Toyota has made this so complicated? Is there some safety benefit I'm not fully appreciating?

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by Heatwave3

Yes, I believe the intent is to suggest that any object the shape and size of an ignition key will release the center shoulder seat belt allowing it to retract back into the ceiling. I'm just curious why it would require any object instead of a push button that can disengage the belt for retraction? Not sure what the logic is for making it difficult to disengage when every other belt in the vehicle can be disengaged by pressing a button.

Just to clarify, the belt can be unlocked for the passenger to exit by pressing the seat belt release button however the belt can't be disengaged to be retracted into the ceiling without inserting some type of "tool" (key or other instrument). Can anyone explain why Toyota has made this so complicated? Is there some safety benefit I'm not fully appreciating?

The reason that Toyota makes it more difficult to release the safety belt is so that the safety belt does not accidentally become released unintentionally (i.e. when someone is sitting in the seat). I believe Toyota uses that same sort of mechanism to release the belt from the seat (not to be confused with the simple push it takes to release it from the buckle so people can get out). This is really just Toyota remaining extra-safe I believe.

[xraytekca]

lemme know when you find out!!! ive been stuck on that too!!! i cant find a swith, but.....................i think its a dealer programing type of of setup, like on lexus cars.

bj