1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

How do you remember to turn your headlights on?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by klown, Feb 20, 2008.

  1. Feb 20, 2008 at 6:24 AM
    #1
    klown

    klown [OP] Tacoma World Ring Leader

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2007
    Member:
    #3716
    Messages:
    1,071
    Lynchburg, VA
    Vehicle:
    2008 TRD sport 4x4 double cab 6-speed
    Black, leather and heated seats, borla sport exhaust, side curtain airbags, daytime running lights, all weather mats, JBL premium 6 disk changer system, stainless step tubes, window tint, tow package
    Well I just got my 08 tacoma. One of the things I have to get used to is the fact that the instrument cluster lights stay on all the time.

    On my old V-dub, the instrument cluster lights stayed off until you turned your headlights on. So when it got dark, it would remind you to turn on your lights cause you can't see anything in the inst cluster.

    My question is, what method do you guys use to ensure that you remember to turn your lights on when it turn dark?
     
  2. Feb 20, 2008 at 6:37 AM
    #2
    bob857

    bob857 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2008
    Member:
    #4825
    Messages:
    18
    Vehicle:
    08 Tacoma 2.7 5spd
  3. Feb 20, 2008 at 6:42 AM
    #3
    klown

    klown [OP] Tacoma World Ring Leader

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2007
    Member:
    #3716
    Messages:
    1,071
    Lynchburg, VA
    Vehicle:
    2008 TRD sport 4x4 double cab 6-speed
    Black, leather and heated seats, borla sport exhaust, side curtain airbags, daytime running lights, all weather mats, JBL premium 6 disk changer system, stainless step tubes, window tint, tow package

    Yeah that's what I've been doing. I really don't like leaving my rear lights on all the time, I thought there may be a mod out there that turns the instrument cluster lights off unless the headlights are on.
     
  4. Feb 20, 2008 at 6:49 AM
    #4
    Hotdog

    Hotdog My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    yeah, the real question is, how do you remember to turn off your lights? I try to turn them off, but I generally just forget about it and realize when it gets dark, "hey, my lights are already on."
     
  5. Feb 20, 2008 at 6:52 AM
    #5
    Flycatcher

    Flycatcher Master of the Universe

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2008
    Member:
    #4515
    Messages:
    96
    Gender:
    Male
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2009 Acadia (regretfully sold the Taco)

    Is that an '07 thing? I do the same thing with my '06 but the lights go off as soon as I open my door. Not that I mind I guess, but the dealer did say it was supposed to have the "walk to your door" feature like yours.
     
  6. Feb 20, 2008 at 6:57 AM
    #6
    Hotdog

    Hotdog My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    nope, my 07 turns off as soon as I open the door.
     
  7. Feb 20, 2008 at 7:11 AM
    #7
    Roland

    Roland My other ride has sails

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Member:
    #4149
    Messages:
    2,398
    Gender:
    Male
    Rhode Island
    Vehicle:
    06 Impulse Red I4 2WD Access Cab
    UnderCover Tonneau, Bed mat, Bug Deflector, aFe Pro Dry S, Secondary Air Filter removed, Synthetic 5W-30 oil, Scanguage II with blendmount, WeatherTech floorliners, Toyota seat covers, Installed OEM intermittent wipers, TacomaWorld sticker, Defrost without AC mod, Hidden Hitch
    I really dislike (Hate is too much work) the always on dash lights. They have caused me to drive without my headlights several times. It's not like the light is needed during the day and if it's dark enough to need light to see the instruments I'd have to have the headlights on anyway. I'm hoping someone comes up with a mod to fix this.

    It reminds me of my issue with the AC going on if you set the ventilation to defrost.
     
  8. Feb 20, 2008 at 7:14 AM
    #8
    Hotdog

    Hotdog My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    someone smart could probably reverse the wires around and use the dimmer on the left of the dash to set the dash lights to be off. I'm too much of a candy-ass to start tinkering.
     
  9. Feb 20, 2008 at 8:30 AM
    #9
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2007
    Member:
    #1138
    Messages:
    14,339
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Jandy
    Lancaster, PA
    Vehicle:
    2016 GMC Canyon SLT w/ LineX and....
    I have an 07 and mine does both. I've seen the lights stay on after I get out and shut the door and I've also seen them go out immediately when I open the door.

    I think there's some sort of 'factor' or sequence that causes it to do one or the other. I just haven't figured out WHAT that is....?? Haven't had time to try and figure it out either.
     
  10. Feb 20, 2008 at 8:32 AM
    #10
    nd

    nd Radical Town. It's a hell of a place!

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2007
    Member:
    #1047
    Messages:
    12,619
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Greenville, SC
    Vehicle:
    07 TRD Off-Road 4x4 debadged
    De badged, 5100's, Black Toyota Baja wheels
    yup, thats how mine is, if i leave my lights on they turn off as soon as i open my door. i dont know why phantoms wait a minute.
     
  11. Feb 20, 2008 at 8:34 AM
    #11
    nd

    nd Radical Town. It's a hell of a place!

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2007
    Member:
    #1047
    Messages:
    12,619
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nate
    Greenville, SC
    Vehicle:
    07 TRD Off-Road 4x4 debadged
    De badged, 5100's, Black Toyota Baja wheels
    I do know if you have the door open and THEN turn on the lights they will stay on after you get out, but i dont know if they stay on for good or if they time out and turn themselves off. i dunno. you're one of hte smart ones on this site Janster, you should be able to figure this out for us stupid guys ;)
     
  12. Feb 20, 2008 at 9:41 AM
    #12
    waynea4

    waynea4 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    Member:
    #4603
    Messages:
    44
    Western N.C.
    Vehicle:
    Red 08' Double Cab TRD Sport 4X4
     
  13. Feb 20, 2008 at 9:51 AM
    #13
    lawnrevenge

    lawnrevenge Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2008
    Member:
    #4697
    Messages:
    294
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    08 regular cab 5-lug, automatic
    I haven't had any problems with it. most people turn their lights on when it's dark and they can't see. If you can't see, try turning your headlights on. If that doesn't work, stop driving. Since the truck turns them off for me if I forget to turn them off there is no real problem. If I can't see I turn them on. (OR if I'm using my wipers-thanks California, what would I do without your legislators?)
     
  14. Feb 20, 2008 at 9:58 AM
    #14
    bob857

    bob857 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2008
    Member:
    #4825
    Messages:
    18
    Vehicle:
    08 Tacoma 2.7 5spd
     
  15. Feb 20, 2008 at 10:23 AM
    #15
    Roland

    Roland My other ride has sails

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Member:
    #4149
    Messages:
    2,398
    Gender:
    Male
    Rhode Island
    Vehicle:
    06 Impulse Red I4 2WD Access Cab
    UnderCover Tonneau, Bed mat, Bug Deflector, aFe Pro Dry S, Secondary Air Filter removed, Synthetic 5W-30 oil, Scanguage II with blendmount, WeatherTech floorliners, Toyota seat covers, Installed OEM intermittent wipers, TacomaWorld sticker, Defrost without AC mod, Hidden Hitch
    Rain-X FTW!!!
     
  16. Feb 20, 2008 at 10:31 AM
    #16
    lawnrevenge

    lawnrevenge Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2008
    Member:
    #4697
    Messages:
    294
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    08 regular cab 5-lug, automatic
    HAHAAAAHA

    yes that limits the need. Also using a delay setting does not require the lights. And yes I got pulled over and given a warning for it.
     
  17. Feb 20, 2008 at 11:08 AM
    #17
    klown

    klown [OP] Tacoma World Ring Leader

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2007
    Member:
    #3716
    Messages:
    1,071
    Lynchburg, VA
    Vehicle:
    2008 TRD sport 4x4 double cab 6-speed
    Black, leather and heated seats, borla sport exhaust, side curtain airbags, daytime running lights, all weather mats, JBL premium 6 disk changer system, stainless step tubes, window tint, tow package
    Well it's more of an issue in lighted city streets. When it gets dark here in the city you don't need headlights to see where you're going as much as you need headlights so people can see you. So I take it you have no input?
     
  18. Feb 20, 2008 at 11:48 AM
    #18
    lawnrevenge

    lawnrevenge Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2008
    Member:
    #4697
    Messages:
    294
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    08 regular cab 5-lug, automatic
    All my smart ass remarks aside...
    I know what you mean, it's just never been a problem for me in this truck. Don't the radio and a/c dash lights not come on without the headlights? You could wire the instrument panel lights to that circuit so they all work the same.
    It would probably require pulling the rheostat and chasing some wires. Also depends of the current pulled in the two circuits.

    (does that count as input?)
     
  19. Feb 20, 2008 at 11:55 AM
    #19
    chris L

    chris L Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2008
    Member:
    #4257
    Messages:
    72
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    06 taco dbl cab , debadged 4x4 trd off road
    nevermind
     
  20. Feb 20, 2008 at 1:59 PM
    #20
    joedirt

    joedirt Hallow

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2008
    Member:
    #4365
    Messages:
    1,411
    Gender:
    Male
    Ploeśti
    Vehicle:
    2005 Tacoma
    When someone flashes me with their lights and I think, what are you flashing me for, dumbass?, and then I realize that my lights aren't on, then I think, I'm a dumbass.

    I leave mine on all the time. I like the frightened looks I see from people in their rearview mirror :)
     

Products Discussed in

To Top