Has anyone done any tinkering with the automatic headlight controls? I'm looking better for a solution for a cluster of related design issues about the automatic headlights.
It appears that headlights do not automatically turn on with the windshield wipers, so they have to be turned on manually in the rain. On my two older Toyotas (2006), we just turn the lights on and leave them on - they switch off when you double-lock the doors and then come back on when you start the car again. Can't screw that up and don't have to think. The issue in the Avalon is the warning buzzer that sounds when the lights are left "on". They still turn off when you lock the car, but I had needing to ignore a buzzer, and I'm OCD enough that I don't like getting out of car that's buzzing at me.
Question 1 - is there any way to disable the headlight reminder buzzer? There's no need for it - the lights turn off automatically anyway.
I know: ignore the buzzer or turn off the light switch (and pay attention and never screw up). That leads to the problem with the "DRL OFF" setting on the switch. It's all too easy to accidentally switch back to "DRL OFF" instead of the "Auto". Then you still have dash lights, but no headlights or DRL when you get back in.
Question 2: Is there any way to make the "DRL OFF" setting work the way that "OFF" worked in my older Toyotas? That is, headlights off, but DRLs still working normally. Basically, I'm willing to deal with having DRLs on 100% of the time just to avoid accidentally turning them off.
Point of comparison: my two 2006 model Toyotas both work fine - no headlight buzzer and no way to turn of the DRLs at all. You might drive off with no headlights, but at least the DRLs are still on for safety. I also drove a 2013 Chevy for a few years, and it's approach was even better - the auto lights were tied in with the wipers, and it had a Off/DRL-off switch that was only "until a restart", so you could still turn the DRLs off, but not accidentally leave them off or leave the headlights in non-automatic mode.
Finally, I know this is all minor stuff. Smooth ride, long term reliability and crash test scores are more important to me. But still, if I can find a tweak or two it would be great.
It appears that headlights do not automatically turn on with the windshield wipers, so they have to be turned on manually in the rain. On my two older Toyotas (2006), we just turn the lights on and leave them on - they switch off when you double-lock the doors and then come back on when you start the car again. Can't screw that up and don't have to think. The issue in the Avalon is the warning buzzer that sounds when the lights are left "on". They still turn off when you lock the car, but I had needing to ignore a buzzer, and I'm OCD enough that I don't like getting out of car that's buzzing at me.
Question 1 - is there any way to disable the headlight reminder buzzer? There's no need for it - the lights turn off automatically anyway.
I know: ignore the buzzer or turn off the light switch (and pay attention and never screw up). That leads to the problem with the "DRL OFF" setting on the switch. It's all too easy to accidentally switch back to "DRL OFF" instead of the "Auto". Then you still have dash lights, but no headlights or DRL when you get back in.
Question 2: Is there any way to make the "DRL OFF" setting work the way that "OFF" worked in my older Toyotas? That is, headlights off, but DRLs still working normally. Basically, I'm willing to deal with having DRLs on 100% of the time just to avoid accidentally turning them off.
Point of comparison: my two 2006 model Toyotas both work fine - no headlight buzzer and no way to turn of the DRLs at all. You might drive off with no headlights, but at least the DRLs are still on for safety. I also drove a 2013 Chevy for a few years, and it's approach was even better - the auto lights were tied in with the wipers, and it had a Off/DRL-off switch that was only "until a restart", so you could still turn the DRLs off, but not accidentally leave them off or leave the headlights in non-automatic mode.
Finally, I know this is all minor stuff. Smooth ride, long term reliability and crash test scores are more important to me. But still, if I can find a tweak or two it would be great.
