covering the light sensor with electrical tape

[pcguru2000]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

but I had it way back when it was $20 for full functionality, I think once they got involved with TPMS related things they upped there prices

Sounds like they got greedy. I don't buy many apps but this one astronomy app I purchased for $5 and I get lifetime updates and it's worth over $100 to me. Even torque doesn't pull the monthly fee crap.

It's not like carista needs to pay license fees. I'd probably pay the $20 for lifetime updates and use, but $10/month is ridonculous

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by pcguru2000

Sounds like they got greedy. I don't buy many apps but this one astronomy app I purchased for $5 and I get lifetime updates and it's worth over $100 to me. Even torque doesn't pull the monthly fee crap.

It's not like carista needs to pay license fees. I'd probably pay the $20 for lifetime updates and use, but $10/month is ridonculous

Well Torque, doesn't do OBD customization or TPMS. For people switching tires all the time for track stuff its prob totally worth it

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

So... change the screen settings? I always turn on my running lights during the day, which puts the head unit into "night mode." So I adjusted the settings on the head unit appropriately. As a result, I can have the scroll wheel for the dimmer set to full during the day, which fully illuminates all of the interior lights. At night I back it off one click which puts everything in night mode.

But then you'd have to switch the light level for the screen back to normal at night if you dont wanna get blinded driving around. So instead of flipping switches at the stalk, the OP would be messing with the scroll wheel :\

Best way would be to figure out a way to keep that sensor but trick only the exterior lights into thinking its night. I do not know how that would be done, some studying of the wiring diagrams in the service manual may help.

On another note, why do you need headlights on to keep your running lights on? Unless you're talking bout the rear.

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

But then you'd have to switch the light level for the screen back to normal at night if you dont wanna get blinded driving around. So instead of flipping switches at the stalk, the OP would be messing with the scroll wheel :\

I do both. I decided not to mess with the light sensor due to the tie-in with the HVAC I mentioned earlier. So during the day, I move the stalk one click up from AUTO to the RUNNING LIGHTS. At night I let the sensor do its thing, and I don't do anything with the stalk.

And depending on the last time I drove the car, I might need to click the scroll wheel up or down out of that final clicked position to put the lights in Day/Night mode accordingly. In all, it's about 1 second's worth of work, and I always wait a few seconds before setting off anyway to allow oil time to circulate around the engine. I find it's the best way to have everything exactly the way I want it. Running lights on during the day, but without the NAV screen being annoyingly dim.

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

Best way would be to figure out a way to keep that sensor but trick only the exterior lights into thinking its night. I do not know how that would be done, some studying of the wiring diagrams in the service manual may help.

I think you'd basically have to do exactly that, and dig into the wiring, which just doesn't seem worth it when you can just flip a switch or two instead.

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

On another note, why do you need headlights on to keep your running lights on? Unless you're talking bout the rear.

I don't. I just want my running/parking lights on, not the headlights. So during the day I have the DRLs, boomerangs, side markers, and tail lights illuminated. I like the added visibility it lends my car - especially when driving in shady areas, etc... without the headlights needing to constantly come on and off.

[pcguru2000]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

I don't. I just want my running/parking lights on, not the headlights. So during the day I have the DRLs, boomerangs, side markers, and tail lights illuminated. I like the added visibility it lends my car - especially when driving in shady areas, etc... without the headlights needing to constantly come on and off.

I want the headlights on for other drivers to be able to see me better and also and boomerangs, side markers, and tail lights illuminated more visibility in their respective places. Also when it's very thickly overcast, everyone's headlights, tailights, and side markers are on, and mine are not.

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by pcguru2000

I want the headlights on for other drivers to be able to see me better...

Your DRLs are arguably more visible during the day than your headlights. They are designed for day use only. They have no cutoff, and so they are essentially designed to "blind" on coming traffic directly. Your headlights have a cutoff to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. They throw very little light above that cutoff, and are much dimmer from an oncoming vehicle's perspective. If you are looking to be seen, the DRLs are a better option during the day

[pcguru2000]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

Your DRLs are arguably more visible during the day than your headlights. They are designed for day use only. They have no cutoff, and so they are essentially designed to "blind" on coming traffic directly. Your headlights have a cutoff to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. They throw very little light above that cutoff, and are much dimmer from an oncoming vehicle's perspective. If you are looking to be seen, the DRLs are a better option during the day

But only from the front. I was trying do get the best of both worlds. Maybe I'll try it out tonight and put electrical tape on the sensor and report back.

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by pcguru2000

But only from the front. I was trying do get the best of both worlds. Maybe I'll try it out tonight and put electrical tape on the sensor and report back.

That's why I flip my switch to the Parking/Running Lights position every time I get in the car during the day. The sensor only controls your HEADLIGHTS. The headlights aren't the best option for daytime driving. In the day, you want the running lights, which illuminates every other lamp on the vehicle, apart from the headlights, and leaves the DRLs active. You won't be able to achieve that combo with the sensor regardless.

[pcguru2000]

As you can see from the picture below, with the tape covering the sensor, the drl's are less visible than the headlights even at a higher angle (standing up about 50 feet away)

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by pcguru2000

Looks like you are incorrect. Both the DRL and the headlight are on when the sensor is covered. Not only that but the rear L shaped parking light is on and so are the side markers.

I'm not incorrect. You misunderstood what I wrote. What I was saying was that the combo of DRLs and RUNNING LIGHTS (not headlights) is not achievable via the sensor. The sensor only controls the headlights, as you've proven with your photo.

As you can see from the picture below, with the tape covering the sensor, the drl's are less visible than the headlights even at a higher angle (standing up about 50 feet away)

Looks like the new 86 DRLs suck, then. The DRL bars on my '15 BRZ are definitely more noticeable than my headlights. I would take a photo, but I'm not near my car right now. After all, DRLs need to be visible during the day, whereas headlights need to NOT blind people at night.

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by pcguru2000

The sensor turns on more than just the headlights.

Ugh. I don't know how else to explain this to you. The sensor does NOT control the running lights mode. It ONLY controls HEADLIGHTS mode. When you turn on your headlights, all of your lights come on, including the running lights. You can, however, turn on your running lights without turning on your headlights. That is what I'm referring to. That cannot be done with the sensor. That's what I was trying to say.

It does look like your DRLs aren't very bright though. I do see why you want the headlights to come on.

[Kodename47]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

It does look like your DRLs aren't very bright though. I do see why you want the headlights to come on.

The DRLs dim when the headlights come on for the reason you stated before.

I don't know why you wouldn't just move the stalk to the sidelight point. I'm fairly sure this shuts off when you turn off the key too. Then just manually switch the headlights on when you need them.

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by Kodename47

The DRLs dim when the headlights come on for the reason you stated before.

I don't know why you wouldn't just move the stalk to the sidelight point. I'm fairly sure this shuts off when you turn off the key too. Then just manually switch the headlights on when you need them.

Ahh good point. My older car just shuts the DRLs off entirely, but that would explain why his are so dim. And other Subarus do shut the lights off with the ignition, but maybe it's a result of some of the Toyota systems used in these cars that the same is not true for the Twins.

[churchx]

Many cars shut down lights off prior engine cranking, imho purposely to lessen chance to burn them out during voltage changes when starting engine. At least long time ago, when i was taught driving, if i managed to stall engine and needed to quickly start it, i was taught to get into habit to quickly switch off lights before turning key. These days from alike gimmicks i notice also for some flashing turn indicators too during start.
From alike gimmicks i hate though that on smart start key "accessory mode" comes 2nd after start. Would prefer ability to switch off engine during long stays in traffic w/o interruption to music.