Seeking input on putting AUTO headlights on a truck that didn't come with them

Not so much how to do it, I think I've figured that part out. But, any input on how you think they should act is what I am looking for. Is it important to you if they don't come on with the parking brake set? How long of a delay is too long (like if you start the truck at night, is a 3 second delay acceptable? 5 seconds?)? If you could add them, do you plan on driving with the DRL on, and having the headlights come on when it's dark enough, or no DRL? Would you like a "defeat" switch? Do you ever use the AUTO switch (if your truck has it, for the high beams)? Anything else you think is important in the way they should behave?

 

I don't know if its any help to you but my truck has them, the day I bought the truck I switched it to AUTO and haven't touched it again in 4 1/2 years.

 

I hate the auto high beams on every car I've driven. A delay longer than 3 seconds would feel weird. Confused on the DRL they should always be on they're not the same as headlights. The headlights should turn on when its dark enough. I would expect my lights to stay on if I engage the parking brake certainly if I'm wheeling at night. By defeat switch meaning I can turn them off completely? Then yes.

 

Never a need to turn them off? That helps My Celica had them, but they couldn't be turned off. There were a couple of times I wished I could, but not too often. Maybe 3 or 4 in the 16 years I drove that car.

 

The system is shit. Feels like I’m beta testing the thing.

It needs to be massively better at recognizing headlights from mailbox reflectors.

The only auto-on I would want to add is auto on with wipers on Int-Low or High.

 

Note by Auto, Johnny is mostly focused on auto low beam logic as I understand things. The auto high beam logic is really have it or don’t have it sort of stuff, he isn’t contemplating adding lidar or any sort of image processing algorithm.

Additionally, auto DRL and auto parking lights (maybe honoring windshield wipers)

 

Think 2 seconds is too long? What if you started the truck in a garage or something, so they came on. You then pull out of the garage into a sunny street. How long do you think is appropriate for them to stay on? 30 seconds? a minute? And the DRL is more a question of if people use that feature (the ones who have a choice. Not the Canadians). And I think the stock ones don't turn on if the brake is set when the truck is started, but will stay on if the brake is set after the lights are already on? That's doable, but a lot of effort, so I think I would go with brake on/headlights off or not have the brake affect it either way.

 

Yeah I honestly haven't encountered any situation yet where I needed to shut them off but it is nice knowing I can if need be.

 

My auto is for the headlamps to turn on and off automatically, as @shakerhood said, I turned the switch to auto the day I got it and it is most likely stuck in that position by now. I do not have auto high beams. Not sure if that is an option on Tacoma's. I should look that up out of curiosity.

For me DRL is automatic, park brake off, DRL on... Canadian truck. DRL is always on.

Now delay seems to be a couple of seconds. I believe this is to prevent the system from turning on and off going into shadows or underpasses.

 

Yeah, sorry, should have made it a little more clear. I am curious about adding automatic low beams to the trucks that don't have them. I think tying them to the wipers is doable, but I am not 100% sure. But I drive a lot with my wipers on and no headlights, especially during winter (snow melt splash-back), so I am not sure I would make that a universal feature.

 

I have the Auto-Headlights but also do not have auto high beams either, that started in 2018 with TSS.

 

The AUTO on the stalk is what I am trying to replicate, like your truck I think the auto high beams was a later addition? My truck has it, but I never use it. But I am sure some people out there do.

 

We all know 2017 was the peak of Tacoma excellence and perfection. Thanks for the info.

 

Ahh, ok. Mine is a 2019, so that must be why. I think I tried it once for a couple of blocks coming home late, but haven't touched it since. I just like the low beams coming on automatically, and turning off when I turn off the truck. Although, a delay in the low beams turning off after the truck has been turned off is a possibility...

 

I feel like it should be Auto always. Like no delay on, delay off sounds okay.

Start the truck, headlights on.

DRL always on and dims with headlight.

Definitely needs an "off" mode.

 

I was driving a vehicle that has automatic headlights. I discoverd I don't like them. When it's not dark but overcast and raining the lights will constantly turn on and off, whhen in auto. I had to manually turn the headlights on. Auto highbeam is even worsre, constantly turning the high beams on and off when on a dark road, everytime an oncoming vehicle approaches. Again you have to manually turn the headlights on to disengage the auto highbeam.

 

Not enough delay built into the system to prevent the hysteria... turning on and off. I have not experienced that issue with mine. I do with I had more control of the auto dash light function though.

 

Wasn't a Toyota, I've noticed on other work trucks from the domestic manufacturers. Auto headlights don't always shut off in the daylight. I don't know if it's a dirty sensor, or an electrical issue. The lights always seem to be able to be shut off manually.

 

I can test on my Subaru tomorrow if you're interested in what the manufacturers do not sure if that's online anywhere. What's the reasoning behind delaying the headlights turning on at ignition? If its for more juice on startup then I'd say two seconds is fine and even 3-5 seconds eventually you would get used to. How long they stay on after hitting light I'd keep a decent delay so you don't risk them turning off at night. DRL on always unless you turn lights off completely. Do people really have a preference about DRL? I'd rather it be a turn off feature than a turn on. Not sure on the lights off at startup with e brake set but would certainly want them to stay on if they're on and I set the brake. On my manuals I have certainly set the brake at a light to deal with kids in the back and would not want my lights turning off.