The 2004 instruction manual describes headlight control on pages 102 (without automatic light control) and 104 (with automatic light control). I have a BC (#9) package with GPS etc. but no auto light control. The twist switch has only 3 positions like p.102. Who gets the 4 postition switch (auto) pictured on page 104? I do have the sensor pictured on p. 104 unless it's a dummy. Is it just the manual that is wrong or am I missing the auto light control system?
Is this expense-related? I know HID lamps cost a few bucks so maybe they were concerned about customers having to cough up $$$$ for frequent replacements if DRL had been implemented.
Auto headlighs standard on the Canadian B model so are DRL. On the B there are 2 sensors on the dash.
Right, but the tradeoff is that the Canadian model doesn't use HID headlights, just regular (cheap) halogen bulbs.
I may be wrong, but I think the beauty of the xenon headlights and LED taillights are that they both give off a better light with less waste (heat), and last longer than "traditional" auto lights. Actually think the LEDs last almost forever, but can't speak for the zenon's. Peace.
Xenon's are very expensive to replace and that is why when you see a car like the Lexus RX330 during the day, they have standard halogen DRLs but when you turn on the headlights, the HIDs come on and the DRLs turn off. Guess they couldn't cram all of those lights into the headlight housing of the Prius.
