4.4 DRL's Too Easily Turned Off

[DVS]

Consumer Reports just posted this article on how easy it is to accidentally shut off the Daytime Running Lights in the new 2013 RAV4:

New Toyota RAV4's headlight switch design is not so bright

It seems to me like kind of a bonehead thing to do from a safety perspective, particularly if the vehicle doesn't have automatic headlights.

It's fine to give the option of turning off the DRLs, and there are cases for that such as when entering military bases (apparently). But it should be harder to do, maybe have a separate switch for it elsewhere on the dash, for example.

This new "design" makes it way too easy to accidentally defeat the safety reasons to have them on.

[bigbird1]

We in Canada would not get that DRL switch on our headlight control. DRL's have been mandatory and non switchable up here since 1990. It seems the US always gives the consumer freedom of choice.... to DRL or not DRL. But that's a topic for another time and place.

[JuneBug]

Seems like the loaner Camrys I drove from the dealer had the exact same setup. And the article says the headlights don't automatically turn off on the 2013 RAV4? Every RAV4 from 2006-2012 has auto-off. Is this another feature they took away?

[Phrede]

Originally Posted by JuneBug

Seems like the loaner Camrys I drove from the dealer had the exact same setup. And the article says the headlights don't automatically turn off on the 2013 RAV4? Every RAV4 from 2006-2012 has auto-off. Is this another feature they took away?

Do not only the Limiteds have auto headlamps?

[JuneBug]

Originally Posted by Phrede

Do not only the Limiteds have auto headlamps?

ALL RAV4's from 2006-2012 have the AUTO-OFF headlamp feature. If you're driving with the lights on, turn off the key, and open/shut the door, they will turn off automatically after 30 seconds.

The Limited's from 2009-2012 have AUTO-ON-OFF headlamps. For example, if it's in the AUTO position and you enter a tunnel, they turn on then turn off when you exit the tunnel.

[Blogson]

I would like to have had the choice of running with or without DRLs on my 2011, and Consumer Reports suggestion about having a Defeat switch mounted elsewhere than on the lighting control stalk seems to be a good solution.