Instrument cluster and button lights

I noticed my instrument cluster lights are not illuminated when the headlights are off. On all the previously vehicles that I’ve owned the instrument cluster and butttons are always illuminated, although at a very low setting, (even with the headlights turned off) so that when I drive into a dark parking structure, I can still see my cluster. Is this the normal for all the 3rd gens?

 

It is true of my 2016. All dash lights are off until the lights are switched on either via the rotary stalk or via the auto lights.

 

Instead, when you drive into aforementioned dark parking structure, flip on your headlights like you should anyways. If it's dark enough to need to see your cluster, it's dark enough that you need to have the headlights on.

Problem solved.

 

Same way my 1st gen was. No buttons or dash lights unless exterior lights were turned on.

Advantage to this is it prevents you from being ticketed for or looking like a fool with no lights at night.

 

Yep. I have a hatred of backlit gauges in daylight for this reason. Automatic headlights are not an improvement for me. More of a bug than a feature.

 

Maybe your sensor and sensitivity levels need adjustment.

 

maybe a dumb question sorry, but how do you change those?

 

With Techstream; Toyota's diagnostic tool.

Here's the list for 2016; some options not available on some models.

 

Some of these options are available via the entune system. Go to settings/vehicle customization/lights I think that was the directory structure, but I could not swear to it.