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Hybrid TechnologyUnique topics related to the 2022 and up NX hybrid drivetrain and other features/options found only on the NX Hybrid models. Please use the main forum for discussion about shared components with other 2nd generation NX models.
I was excited to have the new ambient lighting in my car until my car arrived and I realized the lighting is so weak you can’t even see the colors. Any ideas on how to boost the power?
It’s true they are not very bright, but I’d be very careful trying to boost them. They are not just lightbulbs as there are electronic components like resisters involved. In addition, if you introduce electrical issues into an automobile it gets expensive to fix pretty quickly. There are numerous ambient light kits for cars on Amazon, so you may want to research that option. I have Govee products in my house and am happy with that brand, but I can’t speak to their automotive products.
Throughout the Lexus model line-up, they have consistently chosen to take a more subtle approach to ambient lighting.
I like that more subtle approach, as compared with the arcade-like approach that many manufacturers have chosen to use.
From a more practical point of view, that subtle ambient lighting has a safety advantage, especially for those who frequently drive on roads with no man-made lighting because any light from within the cabin can cause reflections onto the windshield and reduce the visibility to the road ahead.
Yup, in general Lexus is about subtlety for better or worse (ok... with the exception of the spindle grill lol). I think the biggest "problem" with the ambient lighting honestly though is simply the interior material choice and colors. It's basically all matte black and guess what - light doesn't exactly reflect off of that very well! I'm always kind surprised when I wear lighter/white shoes how "bright" THEY are with the lighting compared to everything else which is just all black... If the interior wasn't just all black it'd be a lot more visible.
It doesn’t make sense that Lexus didn’t provide an option in setting to adjust the brightness level. It should allow for high brightness and then lower one, evens low med high. I’ve read a lot of complaints from car reviewers that the ambience lighting is weak.
I guess something they can change for 2023 model Along with adding some stitching around the passenger dash to help enhance that area which is another weak spot.
In the “Northside Lexus 2022 NX Part 2 - Deep Dive Tutorial” YouTube video at around time stamp 1:27:40 they show the brightness adjustment options for the ambient lighting. Have you tried adjusting these controls?
It doesn’t make sense that Lexus didn’t provide an option in setting to adjust the brightness level. It should allow for high brightness and then lower one, evens low med high. I’ve read a lot of complaints from car reviewers that the ambience lighting is weak.
I guess something they can change for 2023 model Along with adding some stitching around the passenger dash to help enhance that area which is another weak spot.
Yes. I have turned the brightness to Max and you can barely see the blue and green tones.
Genuine question - For everyone that is disappointed in the brightness of ambient lighting, is it that it's too dim during the day or night or both?
Both. During the day you will not even notice them. At night as mentioned the cooler tones are so suttle you can barely tell there is any color. Even with the brightness turned all the way up.
Yes, the LEDs are very dim, and sadly there isn't much you can do with them. I just want to throw out an electronics engineer standpoint about this and why there is nothing you can do about it.
LEDs are current-driven devices that are meant to work at a certain voltage. A lower voltage = no light, correct voltage = light, and a higher-than-rated voltage = significant (exponential) increase = burnout.
The light brightness in LEDs is controlled via something known as PWM - pulse width modulation - essentially changing the duty cycle of the LED (on, off, on, off, on, off) - rapidly. Sadly it's just how they were/are designed - so a maximum brightness means they are always on, whereas a 50% brightness means that they are switched on for "50% of the time".
That being said, in complete darkness, the do a decent job at providing some light accents.
Yes, the LEDs are very dim, and sadly there isn't much you can do with them. I just want to throw out an electronics engineer standpoint about this and why there is nothing you can do about it.
LEDs are current-driven devices that are meant to work at a certain voltage. A lower voltage = no light, correct voltage = light, and a higher-than-rated voltage = significant (exponential) increase = burnout.
The light brightness in LEDs is controlled via something known as PWM - pulse width modulation - essentially changing the duty cycle of the LED (on, off, on, off, on, off) - rapidly. Sadly it's just how they were/are designed - so a maximum brightness means they are always on, whereas a 50% brightness means that they are switched on for "50% of the time".
That being said, in complete darkness, the do a decent job at providing some light accents.
And I think the last bit it what really matters. It's ambient lighting and not meant to be your full on interior lighting; particularly when it's not so bright outside. It's just meant to provide a subtle glow.
Don't forget that if its too bright, your night vision Will suffer when you do those night drives...
I think its just bright enough at night. Gives the cabin a nice classy glow. Any brighter it would be too distracting. I love that you can change the color as well.
2022 NX 350h Ambient Lighting
