Setting to enable DTRL but without having headlights on auto?
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Rookie
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 27
Likes: 4
Setting to enable DTRL but without having headlights on auto?
My 2025 has 4 positions on the headlights control, off, auto, parking lights, and headlights. Off interestingly, also shuts off the DTRLs. I would like to have them on but not have the headlights on auto. Is there some menu option that can do this?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 942
From: CA
1 [parking lights icon] The side marker, parking lights/daytime running lights (→P.156), tail, license plate and instrument panel lights turn on.
...
■ Daytime running light system
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● To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving, the daytime running lights turn on automatically when all of the following conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.)
• The engine is running
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the [parking lights icon] or AUTO* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking brake is set again.
...
■ Daytime running light system
...
● To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers during daytime driving, the daytime running lights turn on automatically when all of the following conditions are met. (The daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.)
• The engine is running
• The parking brake is released
• The headlight switch is in the [parking lights icon] or AUTO* position
*: When the surroundings are bright
The daytime running lights remain on after they illuminate, even if the parking brake is set again.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,927
Likes: 469
From: North Carolina
I would like to have that also and have not looked in techstream to see if there. I have to turn off auto every time I pull into garage or headlights will come on and stay on for period after cut off to drain battery and forget after next drive for awhile to turn back on. Previous vehicles did have a switch in techstream. I need to look.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 253
Likes: 100
I think there are only a couple non ideal workarounds:
- Lower the brightness threshold at which the headlights turn on: that way you can be on AUTO but the headlight will turn on less often.
- Lock the car twice to manually turn off the headlights after exiting, in case you still want that functionality.
- Completely disable the headlights remaining ON after the car is OFF and door closed: set the headlights auto OFF timer to OFF.
- Have a bright light in your garage to prevent the headlights from turning ON.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 422
From: Alberta
I would like to have that also and have not looked in techstream to see if there. I have to turn off auto every time I pull into garage or headlights will come on and stay on for period after cut off to drain battery and forget after next drive for awhile to turn back on. Previous vehicles did have a switch in techstream. I need to look.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,927
Likes: 469
From: North Carolina
Do I misunderstand that having your headlights come on and then time out when parking and shutting down in a dark space causes your battery to drain enough that you can’t restart the car? If so you have a bigger issue than just your setting selection of the light switch.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 422
From: Alberta
Well, for what it's worth, I've used "Auto" on both Gen 6 and Gen 7 for 6 years and on a Camry for the 13 years before that and never had a problem with the battery draining due to "headlight off" delay on shutdown. Just my experience. You will also note from the manual, that in Canada DRL is used at ALL times, even when the light switch is in the "OFF" position.
Last edited by Tootsall; Jun 29, 2025 at 11:03 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 839
From: Idaho
No but why intentionally put additional drain on battery if don't need. I have dealt with the parasitic drain since purchase on 2020 ES300h. The charging system on hybrid never charges the battery like an alternator would. About once/mth I charge to full capacity with maintainer. This is the way system is designed.
EDIT: Sorry, I meant "never" had an issue. I really need to proofread my posts better...
Last edited by TechNut; Jun 30, 2025 at 08:41 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,927
Likes: 469
From: North Carolina
This seems odd to me. I never have to charge my 2019 hybrid. It even occasionally sits for 4 to 6 weeks at a time. I have ever had an issue in my six years of ownership and always leave my headlights on auto. They momentarily illuminate when departing or arriving in the garage.
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