Dashboard Illumination

[techi]

Hi guys,

am a newbie to both this forum and the Toyota Prius. Bought a T Spirit last Wednesday and very nice it is too. However, there's one tiny teething problem - when the lights are turned on the whole dashboard lights up except for the external mirror controls - the left/right selection switch and the mirror up/down/left/right rocker. The dealer (over the phone) says it shouldn't be lit but a couple of cabbies with earlier Prius models showed me the switches lit up. Admittedly both the cabs were older models (mine's brand new) so before I hack all the way back to the dealer to have a whinge, should this switch cluster be illuminated or not. Anybody help?

[DrCez]

Hi guys,

am a newbie to both this forum and the Toyota Prius. Bought a T Spirit last Wednesday and very nice it is too. However, there's one tiny teething problem - when the lights are turned on the whole dashboard lights up except for the external mirror controls - the left/right selection switch and the mirror up/down/left/right rocker. The dealer (over the phone) says it shouldn't be lit but a couple of cabbies with earlier Prius models showed me the switches lit up. Admittedly both the cabs were older models (mine's brand new) so before I hack all the way back to the dealer to have a whinge, should this switch cluster be illuminated or not. Anybody help?

Hi techi, welcome to the forum! I have found it really helpful and a mine of information.

The switches aren't illuminated on my Gen 3 Prius. It's a T3 but it sounds like it's the same as your T-Spirit. I remember finding this irritating as I always adjust the mirrors to help me reverse park. Pretty much everything else in that area seems to be illuminated, e.g. headlight angle, electric windows; there's even a LED light in the roof to illuminate the gear selector so it's a pity the mirror controls aren't lit! For the record my wife has a Yaris TR and it has identical mirror controls, so I guess it's standard across some Toyota models. Over time I have got used to the position of the switch and can now find it in the dark without any trouble.

Enjoy your new car, and take it easy in the snow!

[johalareewi]

Can confirm that for some unknown reason, the gen3 mirror controls do not light up.

[techi]

Thanks for the swift replies. Seems daft that they'd miss out just the one little control cluster. Sadly you're a bit late with the snow advice, DrCez, the motor's languishing out by the kerbside as I couldn't get it up the slope onto my driveway on Tuesday evening. It seems the electric traction engine can't cope with a foot of snow, half an inch of ice, folded crisp packet or similar obstruction. Roll on the thaw!

[Doesn'tExist]

Nothing to do with the engine, it's your tyres mate ;-)

It's always amazing how manufacturers leave out these little things. At least you have the excellent rear view camera so shouldn't need to adjust your mirror when reversing.

[monya]

Don't light up on the Auris either. Very useful - not