Yea it's kinda a hit or miss.

 

Next time you are in the dark garage with the car locked try holding the key fob in your hand and place it next the driver's side window and see if the puddle lights come On.

Do your interior dome lights (front and rear) come On when you approach the car with the key fob?

 

Agree with this post completely. The stock bulbs for the puddle lamps are lousy and don't know what Lexus was thinking

 

But it lights up when he used the remote to unlock it, so it's not the bulbs.

 

My 2013 is like this too. Car only lights up when I unlock the car. I have never noticed puddle lights. I'll look again when I get back home but I swear my car has never lit up for me as I approach.

 

indeed, a white LED would look sweet *heads to eBay*

My "puddle lights" seem to be operational only as my hand nears the door handle, i do not think it can sense your mass approaching and just light up. From my tries, it only goes on as your hand activates the proximity sensor in the door handle, which also unlocks the doors.

 

Here's how mine works.

 

Very nice! But Kate would have added more pazazz and sensuality to the video.

 

Have puddle lights and they do illuminate along with tail lights, running lights, and interior lights if I unlock with FOB but not when car is approached with key in pocket. Will try putting key against the side window but do not think that will make a difference.

 

Exactly same way how mine operate

 

While on the subject, is it just me, or does this car have the worst interior lighting of any car ever made. I honestly thought there was something wrong because they are so dim. Could it be I missed some setting?

 

Perhaps not available on '13?

 

I had it on my 2013 F sport and it worked flawlessly. If it's still not working, change battery in key fob. Might not be giving off enough signal to tell the car you're approaching. If that doesn't work, have the dealer check if the sensor is malfunctioning. I assume the sensor is part of the smart key system, but maybe not...

 

Both key FOB batteries were replaced so sensor seems to make more sense. Or could be that even though the Carista app says that it is enabled, it may not be enabled.

 

Noticed yesterday when doing the puddle light swap to LED's that if you keep going close to the door or keep locking/unlocking, the puddle lights disappear for a while. You need to give it some time for it to go on again.

It'll go on along with your interior lights as soon as your key fob is close to the car. Then it'll stay lit for a while after you unlock your cars.