Daytime Running Lights for 1998 LS400?
 

I've been in four accidents now over the course of 23 years of driving--all of which were not my fault and three of which involved someone turning left in front of me during the day. In each of these three accidents, I was driving a vehicle that did not have daytime running lights. I can't help but think that if I had my headlights on at the time of the incidents I might of avoided one or more collisions.

The reason I got this 1998 LS400 recently is because my 1998 Toyota Avalon XLS was totaled by someone turning left in front of me during the day.

I know my 1998 LS400 has an Auto feature that turns on the headlights when it gets dark enough, but it does not, at least on my car, light up any bulbs in the headlights during the day--just like my Avalon.

Was there an option for Daytime Running Lights on my LS400, or perhaps I have it but it isn't functioning correctly at the moment? Or can I convert my AUTO feature on my car to keep the headlights on at all times?

Right now I am trying to manually keep the headlights on all the time, during the day. When I lock the car, I just have to remember to lock it twice during hte day with the remote so it also turns off the headlights. I'm afraid I'll forget one time and come back to a dead battery though. I wish I could just keep it on Auto and have Auto always run the headlights when the car is running (day or night).

One thing I'm tempted to do is cover up the daytime/nighttime sensors so the headlights are always on, but then the dash lights will be dim during the day.

Check post #7 in this thread.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ng-lights.html

I have a 98 as well and the drl are available from 99 on. Mine has the auto headlight on feature but it does not work just like yours even when it's super dark I have to manually turn them on. I myself want to add drl and fix the auto on thing but have not gotten to it. There should be a drl kit sold somewhere

in theory you should be able to buy the 2 drl relays from a '99-00 LS400 and plug them in, but i have no idea if the wiring for them is there.

Phillips, Bosch and many lesser known companies make LED-based DRL kits - might be related to the EU requiring DRL in all member countries beginning in 2011. More developed kits like the ones from Phillips and Bosch have a "magic box" that apparently includes the necessary relay functions that cause their DRL to switch off when the headlights are on.

There appears to be enough space in the upper bumper grill slats adjacent to the foglights to install LED DRL units - that's where I would put aftermarket DRL in my 00 LS if it didn't have them.