If the dashboard lights on your Toyota Highlander are too bright, then you can adjust them with a few simple steps. Doing so is relatively easy and does not require any special tools. Let's take a look at how to do this.
To dim the dashboard lights on your Toyota Highlander, follow these steps:
- First, locate the dashboard controls to the left of the steering wheel.
- Press the down arrow.
- Adjust the lights to your desired level.
The nice thing about newer vehicles is you can customize the lighting to your liking. In this article, we will walk you through each step in detail on how to dim your Toyota Highlander's dashboard lights. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about the Toyota Highlander, so read on!
How to adjust the dashboard lights on a Toyota Highlander
Depending on the lighting outside, you may want to adjust the brightness of your Toyota Highlander's dashboard lights. Toyota has done a good job making this a relatively easy process. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Locate dashboard controls
First, sit in the driver's seat in your vehicle and look to the left of the steering wheel. You will see two buttons that look like up and down arrows on the dash. These are the buttons you will use to adjust the brightness of your lights.
In addition, there will be a symbol that looks like an odometer with a light bulb. This is the symbol that will tell you which setting you are on.
Change brightness
If you want to dim or brighten the lights, press the up arrow to brighten or the down arrow to dim.
The brightness level will appear on the odometer display when you press either button. You can keep pressing the button until it reaches your desired level.
It is easier to do this in a garage or when the sun is not shining as bright. Otherwise, it won't be easy to see how bright the lights are.
Adjust as needed
Now that you know how to do this, you can adjust the lights as needed. This is a great feature if you drive at night or in low-light conditions.
If you want to completely turn the lights off, press and hold the down arrow until the odometer display goes dark.
Why are my dashboard lights staying on?
If your vehicle is off, but your dashboard lights won't turn off, you can check a few things.
Headlights are on
Another thing you can check is if your headlights are on. If they are, then turn them off. In some cases, the headlights will stay on and cause the dashboard lights to stay on as well.
The key is in the ignition
If neither of those is the case, then the next thing you can check is if your key is in the ignition. If it is, take it out and see if the dashboard lights turn off.
Faulty battery
It's possible that your battery is faulty and needs to be replaced. The battery could still send an electric signal even though the car is turned off. If this is the case, you will need to take your vehicle to a mechanic to check it out.
Blown fuse
There is also a chance that a fuse has blown. Fuses can blow for various reasons, but it's usually because too much electricity is running through them. If you think this might be the case, check your car's fuse box and replace any blown fuses.
Stuck in "On" mode
Most vehicles have an "On" mode that keeps the power running to the accessories even when the car is turned off. This can be useful if you want to listen to the radio or use the navigation system while the vehicle is off.
However, it can also cause the dashboard lights to stay on. Press the "Off" button on your car's dash to fix this.
What do the different dashboard lights mean?
There are a lot of different dashboard lights, and they all mean something different. However, if one is on, it usually means something is wrong or needs attention.
Red and orange lights are the most serious and usually mean a problem with the engine or another major system. If one of these lights is on, then you should take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible.
Here are some of the most common ones:
Oil light
Your oil light will come on when your car is low on oil. This is a severe problem, and you should pull over and turn off your car as soon as possible. If you have extra oil, you can add some to the engine.
Check Engine light
A check engine light can mean various things, but it usually indicates that there is a problem with the engine or related systems. It can be as simple as a sensor, or it could be a more serious issue.
If the check engine light is ever flashing, it's a more serious problem, and you should take your car to a mechanic right away.
Coolant light
Your coolant light will come on when the engine runs low on coolant. This can cause the engine to overheat, so you should pull over and turn off the car as soon as possible.
If you have extra coolant, you can add some to the engine.
Battery light
If your battery light is on, then it means that there is a problem with the battery or charging system. Check your battery cables to see if they are loose or damaged. Also, check for corrosion on the terminals. Lastly, have your battery checked by a mechanic or auto parts store.
ABS light
The ABS light will come on when there is a problem with the anti-lock braking system. Many things can cause this, but it's usually due to a sensor or other electrical issue.
If the ABS light is on, then you should take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible so they can diagnose the problem.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System [TPMS] light
The TPMS light will come on when there is a tire pressure monitoring system problem. For example, this could mean that your tire pressure has dropped below recommended levels, or there could be a problem with the sensor.
Check your tire pressure and add air if needed. If the light is still on, then take your car to a mechanic so they can check the sensor.
Airbag light
The airbag light will come on when there is a problem with the airbag system, usually caused by an electrical issue.
If the airbag light is on, then you should take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible so they can diagnose the problem.
Traction Control
The traction control light is usually wheel-shaped with an exclamation point in the middle. This light will come on when there is a problem with the traction control system.
There may be nothing wrong with the system, and the tires may just be slipping. However, it could also be a more serious problem.
Vehicles with new safety features
Some newer cars have additional safety features that can help prevent accidents. In addition, to the dash lights above, here are some other common ones:
- Blind Spot Monitoring [BSM]
- Lane Departure Warning [LDW]
- Adaptive Cruise Control [ACC]
- Automatic Emergency Braking [AEB]
These are just a few of the most common dashboard lights you might see while driving.
Can dashboard lights drain a battery?
Most dashboard lights are relatively low-draw and will not cause your battery to drain. However, if the light stays on constantly, it could slowly drain the battery.
In addition, if your battery is old or damaged, it may not be able to hold a charge. This could cause the battery to die prematurely.
What do I do if my car won't start and the dashboard lights are on?
If your car won't start and the dashboard lights are on, your vehicle is getting power, but the engine is not turning over. This could be due to a number of things, but it's usually either the starter or battery.
In this case, there could be something wrong with the starter or ignition. First, try jump-starting the car to see if that's the problem. If not, you may need to tow the car to a mechanic.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, dimming your dashboard lights is relatively easy to do. However, pay attention to the lights that stay on constantly as this could indicate a problem.
If you're ever unsure about what a particular light means, consult your owner's manual or take your car to a mechanic.
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