No dash lights NOR glove box light

Ok - when headlights are off, none of my dashboard instruments have ANY backlighting - very hard to see in daylight. Is this normal??

Also see that there is no glove box light - on a $35k vehicle?? Can this be added cheaply?

 

I got this: http://www.flyzeye-designs.com/~shop/battery-powered-led-lights/3vp-package-deal/245950/
2 pack for $35 shipped. White color option is in the 5,000K spectrum, so a pure white rather than a warm white.

 

Yes, normal.

You could probably add one that was on with the parking lights easily...nothing an LED strip can't handle!

Adding a switch to the glove box door, that's more difficult.

 

Is this the first vehicle you've ever owned?

 

Also, can we please stop acting like a $35k vehicle is expensive? That'd be great.

 

Nope. Why do you ask that? It is replacing my 2008 Taco. Just wondered if this was normal (dash lights) as on my '08 the WERE lit up with lights off and engine running.

 

I think this every time I open a post where people are complaining about cost. $35k is like the price of entry nowadays.

 

They are lit up with the parking lights on, but should be off when all exterior lights are off, from factory.

I'm actually curious to know what dash/cluster is back-lit with all exterior lights in the off position. Because I can't think of any that do that.

 

I believe all the Toyotas with Optitron dash lights turn on.

 

Is that a traditional analog cluster or a digital one? Analog meaning a piece of plastic with the lettering/numbers on it on the RPM and speedo, etc and back-lit from bulbs.

 

Here is a clip of a 4Runner at start up. As you can see, you can't see the numbers on the speedo and tach till the lights come on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkURRYDWd3w

 

A lot of Hondas do lol

 

Analog instruments. The info panel in the middle works fine day or night. I have tried with headlight switch in every position, even DRL and parking lights, and they ONLY light up with headlights on. Bur I'll check again.

 

Part of the dim IP is so that people will turn their headlights on when it gets dark out since there is no auto-headlight feature.

The IP is designed to last for 150k at an average speed of 35mph. When I say "last" I mean 70% brightness of new, so feel free to leave your headlights on cause your IP won't burn out anytime soon.

 

That makes sense - I see TOO many idiots driving in the dark because they can see the dash and think their headlights are on!

 

All of my previous cars have lit up, and had settings for brightness when lights are off vs. on. Typically you'd have brighter display with lights off to help with contrast in daylight.

Super helpful, but maybe they want you to turn your lights on more often?

 

When you close the refrigerator door, does the light really go off

 

I have auto headlights... am I misreading your reply?

 

Maybe it's the price of entry for Tacomas but it's 62% of the median household income in the United States. I think I read somewhere that the avg income household income for a Tacoma owner is $72k. So it's roughly 50% of Tacoma owners household income.

With the availability of financing and focus on "monthly" payments, people seem to be losing grasp of the true value of money.

These trucks aren't cheap. Vehicles are typically the second biggest purchase most people make (behind housing), and there are certain expectations consumers have for their purchases.

The Tacoma isn't living in a bubble either. Most people are well aware of the car tech that's available and the other vehicles you can get with that money. A lot of what is considered "tablestakes" for everyone else is missing in the Tacoma. When people notice things missing they are rightfully surprised. No glove box light? Seriously Toyota. No gas cap holder? A base model Civic or Corolla has those things. You guys want to knock OP for being surprised by the missing items, but aren't you a little annoyed at Toyota for leaving out this stuff? It seems super cheap and trivial to add.

 

2006 rav4...