AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM SYSTEM
General
The automatic high beam system enhances the illumination of the area in front of the vehicle to improve visibility for the driver. It works by detecting light from the front of the vehicle, using the lane departure warning camera, and turns the high beams of the headlights on or off automatically.
Function of Main Components
| Component | Outline |
|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning Camera | Determines when to turn the high beams on and off after identifying the lights of oncoming vehicles, preceding vehicles and other lights from the picture information of its camera sensor. Then, it sends high beam request signals to the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU) via CAN communication. |
| Yaw Rate Sensor | Outputs the yaw rate information to the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU). |
| Skid Control ECU | Outputs the information about the speed of the wheels. This information is used by the lane departure warning camera to turn the high beams on and off. |
| Combination Meter Assembly | Turns on the automatic high beam indicator light and displays a message on the multi-information display based on an indicator illumination request signal from the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU). Tech Tips
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| Main Body ECU (Multiplex Network Body ECU) |
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| Power Management Control ECU | Outputs a signal to indicate that the shift lever is in R. Based on this signal, the lane departure warning camera turns the high beams off. |
| Auto High Beam Switch | Enables or disables the automatic high beam system. |
Basic Function
When all of the following conditions are met, the automatic high beam system is activated and the automatic high beam indicator light turns on:
The power switch is on (IG).
The light control switch is in the AUTO or head position and the low beam headlights are on.
The dimmer switch is in the high position.
The auto high beam switch is ON.
The shift lever is in any position other than R.
When all of the following conditions are met, the high beams automatically turn on after a short delay:
Vehicle speed is more than approximately 40 km/h (25 mph). (for European Models)
Vehicle speed is more than approximately 30 km/h (19 mph). (except European Models)
The area in front of the vehicle is dark.
There are no oncoming vehicles with headlights on.
There are no preceding vehicles with taillights on.
There are few streetlights along the street ahead.
When any of the following conditions are met, the high beams automatically turn off after a short delay:
Vehicle speed is less than 30 km/h (19 mph). (for European Models)
Vehicle speed is less than 25 km/h (16 mph). (except European Models)
There are oncoming vehicles with headlights on.
There are preceding vehicles with taillights on.
Light from streetlights ahead is higher than a specified threshold.
When any of the following conditions are met, the automatic high beam system will be canceled and the indicator light will turn off:
The power switch is turned off.
The light control switch is turned to any position except the AUTO or head position.
The dimmer switch is moved to the low position.
The auto high beam switch is off.
Tech Tips
It is possible to manually turn the high beams on and off by performing either of the following operations:
When changing the high beams controlled by the automatic high beam system to the low beams manually, move the dimmer switch to the low position. The automatic high beam system will be canceled and the low beams will be turned on. To enable the automatic high beam system again, move the dimmer switch to the high position.
When changing the low beams controlled by the automatic high beam system to the high beams manually, turn the auto high beam switch off. The automatic high beam system will be canceled and the high beams will be turned on. To enable the automatic high beam system again, turn the auto high beam switch on.
Tech Tips
The automatic high beam system monitors the area in front of the vehicle using the lane departure warning camera and makes a judgment to turn on the high beams when the surrounding area is dark (there are no headlights from oncoming vehicles and no taillights from preceding vehicles). High beam control limitations:
When the surrounding area is not dark enough, the high beams will not turn on even if the low beam headlights are turned on by the automatic light control system and the automatic high beam indicator light on the combination meter assembly illuminates. (The light level sufficient to turn the auto low beams on is not the same as the light level required to automatically change the low beams to high beams.)
When an oncoming vehicle suddenly appears at a sharp curve or a vehicle crosses the path of the vehicle, the high beams may remain on.
When the fog lights of an oncoming vehicle are detected, the high beams may be turned off.
The timing of the high beams turning on and off may differ depending on the brightness of headlights or fog lights from oncoming vehicles or the taillights of preceding vehicles.
The timing of the high beams turning on and off may differ between normal conditions (good weather) and when driving on wet, frozen or snowy roads.
The timing of the high beams turning on and off may differ depending on the number of occupants and amount of cargo present.
Be aware that on some occasions, the high beams may switch on and off unexpectedly.
Tech Tips
The lane departure warning camera continually monitors the light level in the area in front of the vehicle. There is a delay in turning on the high beams. Even when there is no ambient light, the high beams will not turn on immediately. The delay will vary depending on the situation.