The 2013 Toyota RAV4 small SUV has a number of appealing features and one perplexing peculiarity: Daytime Running Lights that don’t always turn on throughout the day.
Daytime running lights (DRLs), a straightforward safety feature, increase vehicle visibility throughout the day by dimly lighting the low-beam headlights. In the majority of cars, this occurs automatically and without the driver’s intervention. (See our review of the Toyota RAV4.)
In truth, only a small percentage of vehicles with DRLs offer a mechanism to disable them, and when they do, the preference is typically changed via an on-board computer menu. The new RAV4 features a headlight switch, though, that essentially ensures your DRLs are off. There are four settings on the rotary knob at the end of the turn signal stalk: off, daytime running lights, parking lights, and low beams.
The issue is that turning on your daytime running lights is a hassle if you wish to use them. Almost all other vehicles with this equipment automatically turn on their DRLs.
The common scenario is as follows: After driving at night while using your headlights, you park the vehicle and turn them off (since they don’t turn off on their own). Unless you made a deliberate decision to switch the switch to the DRL position the following day, you wind yourself driving with the DRLs off. That, in my opinion, is unclear and impractical.
While it’s less likely, other Toyota and Lexus products may also operate with the DRLs off. Their headlight control switch includes an Auto mode and a DRL-off option. That’s a little better because the switch automatically turns on the DRLs and it can stay there for as long as you choose. Even those owners might not be aware that their DRLs are turned off while they drive with the headlight switch off.
Daytime running lights are supported by Consumer Reports, and in our road testing, we assign points to the vehicles that feature them. Additionally, some insurance providers offer rate reductions for vehicles with DRLs. We might need to reconsider how we handle situations where DRLs are essentially cancelled or are “optional.” We believe that insurance providers ought to be aware of this.
According to Toyota representatives we’ve spoken with, there are times when turning off the headlights is preferable, such as when entering a military base. In addition, there might be another button that disables DRL. Or even more simply, let the headlights shut off as soon as you put the car in park.
Toyota is ultimately responsible for redesigning their headlight switch so that no one may accidentally turn off their DRLs.
In This Article...
My DRL light turned on, why?
You should read your owner’s manual to make sure you fully understand the operation of numerous warning and indicator lighting, just like you would with any other unique feature on an automobile. The DRL indicator lamp typically lets you know if your car’s daytime running lights are on and functioning as planned. It typically comes on when you start your automobile and goes off shortly after or when you release the brake pedal. If the DRL lamp is on for a long time, your running lights may have a burned-out bulb or another problem.
When the DRL warning light illuminates while you are driving, the computer has likely identified a problem. A broken bulb or another issue involving the fuses or relays in the DRL circuits could be to blame. It should be noted that the DRL lamp on some vehicles will remain on when your running lights are in use. For clarification, once more refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
A running light system might malfunction due to a number of frequent problems. Your car’s DRL indicator lighting can be working properly, but the lights themselves might not be. Another issue is that while driving, your daytime running lights function OK, however they do not switch off when the engine is turned off. The headlights and running lights on certain cars share the same bulbs. One or more of your running lights may go out if one or more of your headlights fail. Another possibility is that the DRL warning lamp module is broken.
The only thing you might need to do is swap either a fuse or a light bulb. Or the issue can be more complicated and need for a qualified mechanic to examine your vehicle. It would be a good idea to visit an auto parts store and ask for advice. They might be able to attach your automobile to a diagnostics computer and provide you with more information about the issue. It could often turn out to be a straightforward problem that can be resolved.
On the other side, you might need to have a qualified mechanic work on your vehicle. They will have the proper supplies and tools on hand to deal with the issue appropriately if it involves things like faulty or broken wiring. They can do the task for you, allowing you to securely re-enter the road.
Is it legal to drive with your DRLs on?
The car is still quite safe to drive even though the light is alerting you to a problem. You shouldn’t worry as long as your car’s standard headlights are functioning. A professional should still look into the warning light because a worse issue could be on the horizon.
One of our qualified technicians will be able to assist you in identifying the problem if your daytime running lights aren’t working properly.
How can my DRL light be fixed?
It’s simple to check if your headlights, fog lights, or taillights are broken. To check if they are operating, you simply turn on the switch. However, the switch for the daytime running lights is not always present. If the weather is not sunny, checking the DRL is the simplest task.
Examine the ambient light sensor.
The dash contains the ambient light sensor. It utilizes automatic lighting features, reads the ambient light, and determines whether to switch on the headlights or the daytime running lights depending on how dark it is outside.
The sensor, which may or may not be in the center of the dash, resembles a half-dome.
Make sure there are no obstructions blocking the ambient light sensor by checking. If something is blocking it, the sensor won’t be able to detect the light, the DRL won’t function, and the headlights will wear out more quickly as a result.
If it’s not sunny outside, shine a very strong light on the sensor to examine it. A flashlight could still be required if bright lights inside a building or in a place like a garage are insufficiently bright.
Check to see if the headlights are off with the key turned on and the flashlight over the sensor. When there is light on the ambient sensor, the headlights shouldn’t switch on, indicating that the sensor is functioning.
With a helper, check to see if the DRLs are on.
When the transmission is in Drive, Reverse, or Neutral, the DRL will activate. Having a helper keep an eye on the headlights while you are doing this is beneficial. Chock the wheels if you don’t have a helper to prevent the car from rolling away.
For the DRL to turn on in some vehicles, the engine must be running, while in others, the e-brake must be released.
Check to determine if the DRL are functioning while the car is in an environment where they will activate.
Check the bulb, socket, and switch if only one DRL is functioning.
One daytime running light that is the only one not functioning most likely has a burned-out bulb or a faulty switch. If the bulb is black or the filament is burned out, which indicates that it needs to be changed, remove the socket from the lamp.
Check to determine if the socket burned or melted because DRL can operate for a very long time; if so, replace it. Check for melting at the bulb’s contact point.
Do DRLs deplete a car’s battery?
Do you mean that the battery drains because the Day Running Light (DRL) function in the BS4 headlamp is always on when the car is running? The answer is no. It uses LED lamps, whose power to effect the battery is extremely low. You can still get it fixed or replaced if a problem arises while it is still under warranty.
Battery drain while operation is a concern. You may request a new battery while still covered by warranty.
Yes, however you won’t notice much of a difference if you replace the little parking bulbs in your headlight with LED ones.
Do daytime running lights need to be on all the time?
As we previously mentioned, daytime running lights are always-on lights that increase the visibility of your car. Daytime running lights are typically located next to the headlights on the front of a car. Daytime running lights are really frequently integrated into the headlight housing on cars. This could cause some motorists to mistake daytime running lights for low beam or main beam headlights, therefore it’s crucial to understand the distinction.
Daytime running lights don’t require switching between on and off like headlights do. No matter how sunny the weather is, your daytime running lights will switch on as soon as you turn on your car. However, it doesn’t imply that you shouldn’t use your headlights. Since daytime running lights don’t create enough light to illuminate the road, they shouldn’t be used in place of main beam headlights. The main goal of daytime running lights is to improve other drivers’ visibility of you when you don’t need your headlights on. When it gets dark outside, whether you have daytime running lights or not, you should always turn on your headlights.
DRL lights are they automated?
When the engine is running, daytime running lights (DRLs), which are mounted on the front of cars, automatically turn on. Additionally known as daytime running lights.
The objective of the DRL, which should not be mistaken with headlights, is not to improve visibility for drivers on the road or around them. The DRLs’ primary objective is to improve how well other drivers can see your car on the road.
DRLs are frequently manufactured using LED lights rather than halogen headlight bulbs because they are not intended to illuminate the road. LED DRLs emit a bright white light, are energy-efficient, and have a long lifespan.
Are daytime running lights and headlights the same thing?
Daytime running lights and headlights appear to be the same thing to many drivers. They were designed for two quite distinct functions, and daytime running lights are a much more recent creation, thus they are definitely not.
In essence, daytime running lights are fitted to cars for both visual flair and daytime visibility for other drivers.
With the R8, Audi was one of the first automakers to include them as a style element. They soon extended them to the rest of their lineup as a means to set their vehicles apart for incoming traffic. From there, more producers are imitating them! Some of my favorite “DRLs” include the Kia K5, Audi R8 (obviously), and the new Land Rover Defender.
On the safety front, daytime running lights (DRLs) make it easier for oncoming vehicles to detect you going their way during the day and even at night. In this case, I am a major supporter because it eliminates the need for turning on your headlights all day to accomplish the same goal.
What is the cost of replacing daytime running lights?
Replacement headlight bulbs typically cost between $114 and $137. Between $42 and $54 is the expected cost of labor, while between $72 and $84 is the estimated cost of parts. Taxes and other costs are not included in this range, nor are your particular vehicle or geographic area taken into account. There might be more repairs required.