Just took delivery of new 2010 Corolla LE (Canadian model)

[andyru99]

Finally, after waiting almost a month for it to be built and delivered, I picked up my new 2010 Corolla LE - Magnetic Grey. The Canadian LE model is a bit different from what I see the USA LE model has. Canadian LE model includes push-button start, smart key system, etc.

Great little car so far! I had a 2010 Corolla CE rental for 2 days before so I knew what the drive was like. The extra little features on the LE seem really nice.

I read a lot of complaints concerning the electronic power steering (EPS). I don't understand the issue as I don't have any problem at all. Perhaps it boils down to what you are used to and how you drive I guess. I will openly admit I am not a car enthusiast nor sporty driver. But I have driven several cars - typically through rentals with work trips. To each his own.

I do have a question regarding a light indicator on the dash, and I've seen this on the Prius and it confused me. What is with the "tail light" icon being lit up on the dash (it was night time). To me, it seems like a "warning", almost as if it was telling me my headlights weren't on. It is the same symbol (canadian builds) as the tail/park lights setting on your headlight switch. It stayed on regardless of headlight switch position. A quick glance at the owners manual seems to indicate it is an indicator that the tail lights are auto-on as it sensed it was dark outside and part of the "daytime running lights" safety thing (ie: it sensed it was dark enough, so turned tail lights on automatically for safety). Is this correct? I thought it was a little misleading. I knew it wasn't telling me there was a problem, I just wanted to make sure I understood its impact.

In the USA (according to my manual), this symbol is different and is the shape of a lightbulb.

[LeanBurn]

fellow Canadian !

EPS was never a problem for Canadians that I remember.

I have never seen this tail light indicator you speak of. Lights just go on/off in auto mode without indication in the 09's from what I remember. Is this light in the instrument cluster? Where?

[gizzer777]

Originally Posted by andyru99

Finally, after waiting almost a month for it to be built and delivered, I picked up my new 2010 Corolla LE - Magnetic Grey. The Canadian LE model is a bit different from what I see the USA LE model has. Canadian LE model includes push-button start, smart key system, etc.

Great little car so far! I had a 2010 Corolla CE rental for 2 days before so I knew what the drive was like. The extra little features on the LE seem really nice.

I read a lot of complaints concerning the electronic power steering (EPS). I don't understand the issue as I don't have any problem at all. Perhaps it boils down to what you are used to and how you drive I guess. I will openly admit I am not a car enthusiast nor sporty driver. But I have driven several cars - typically through rentals with work trips. To each his own.

I do have a question regarding a light indicator on the dash, and I've seen this on the Prius and it confused me. What is with the "tail light" icon being lit up on the dash (it was night time). To me, it seems like a "warning", almost as if it was telling me my headlights weren't on. It is the same symbol (canadian builds) as the tail/park lights setting on your headlight switch. It stayed on regardless of headlight switch position. A quick glance at the owners manual seems to indicate it is an indicator that the tail lights are auto-on as it sensed it was dark outside and part of the "daytime running lights" safety thing (ie: it sensed it was dark enough, so turned tail lights on automatically for safety). Is this correct? I thought it was a little misleading. I knew it wasn't telling me there was a problem, I just wanted to make sure I understood its impact.

In the USA (according to my manual), this symbol is different and is the shape of a lightbulb.

I have the USA model 2009 XLE, which is similar to your Le, equipment wise....What color is this light? red or green? The 09 and 2010 are just about identical with VERY modest changes.

In the USA, model it DOES look like a light bulb and is green just telling you your Lights are on. They will always come on at night automatically...that little dome shaped thingy on the driver's side up near the windshield is the sensor.

IF THE LIGHT IS GREEN (MAYBE A DIFFERENT COLOR IN THE CANADIAN MODEL) AND GOES OUT IN THE DAYTIME, THEN IT IS JUST A HEADLIGHT ON NOTICE....ANY RED LIGHTS I WOULD GO TO THE DEALER WITH! They or many auto shops can pull trouble codes from the OBDII system with most faults (The code if present will stay stored in the ECU memory)


The DRL lights should not light the headlight symbol. DRL here are produced by the low headlight bulb at a lower power.
BTW: I am like you and have no issues with the EPS...took about a day or 2 to get used to it...others have trouble and the Corolla EPS is said to be overly sensitive!

[andyru99]

It is the headlight on notice it seems. The manual doesn't spell it out perfectly.

So does this mean you could not bother with manually turning on the headlights at night (unless you wish to turn them on in cases where the sensors haven't turned them on yet and you wish to, or hi-beam usage, or fog-light usage)?

[cabur]

Originally Posted by andyru99

It is the headlight on notice it seems. The manual doesn't spell it out perfectly.

So does this mean you could not bother with manually turning on the headlights at night (unless you wish to turn them on in cases where the sensors haven't turned them on yet and you wish to, or hi-beam usage, or fog-light usage)?

I have the same model as yours. '09.
Leave the manual light switch "off". If turn on manually, it'll stay on even when you turn engine off. I just don't touch the switch anymore. The auto-on lighting works very well. You'll notice when you drive into a underground parking lot the lights comes on by itself. When you exit into daylight, it'll turn off.

Took me awhile to learn and get used to these auto things especially the auto-temp control and mode setting. Also the dome lights coming on when you're near the car. And staying on after you've exited. I just turned the dome switch to off and leave it off.

It's a great car. Enjoy your drive.

[gizzer777]

Originally Posted by andyru99

It is the headlight on notice it seems. The manual doesn't spell it out perfectly.

So does this mean you could not bother with manually turning on the headlights at night (unless you wish to turn them on in cases where the sensors haven't turned them on yet and you wish to, or hi-beam usage, or fog-light usage)?

YES...They will always come on whenever that sensor does not see enough light outside, or even in my garage at night!....I have mixed feelings about that, but more pluses than minuses! BTW...that sensor, on mine at least. reacts pretty fast.

[FlameyFart]

I have a 2010 LE, but USA version. No light indicator on my dash turns on when my headlights turn on by themselves at night...