AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM
General
When the light control switch is in the AUTO position, the automatic light control sensor detects ambient light levels and outputs it to the main body ECU. The main body ECU controls the low beam headlights, front clearance lights, taillights and license plate lights according to signals.
Fail-safe
If the main body ECU detects a malfunction in the automatic light control sensor, the main body ECU effects fail-safe control to prohibit the automatic light control. If the headlights or taillights are on, the lights will maintain the ON status until the light control switch is turned off.
LIGHT TURN-OFF SYSTEM
General
The light turn-off system is used to prevent the driver from leaving the vehicle with the headlights, fog lights, front clearance lights, taillights or license plate lights on.
When all of the following conditions are met, the exterior lights turn off:
The engine switch is turned from on (IG) to off.
The headlights, fog lights or taillights are on.
The driver side door, front passenger side door, slide door LH or slide door RH is opened.
HID HEADLIGHT SYSTEM
General
The HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlight system uses a discharge bulb as its light source for the low beam headlight. Discharge bulbs are superior to halogen bulbs.
Discharge bulbs have the following features:
The light emitted by the bulb is close in color to sunlight. The light shines ahead over a broader area and further forward, increasing the area visible to the driver.
Less power is consumed.
This system consists of the discharge bulbs and light control ECUs.
The light control ECU transforms the voltage that is input from the battery to a high voltage of up to 22000 V and applies it to the discharge bulbs in order to illuminate them.
A fail-safe function is provided as a countermeasure against the high voltage that is generated if a problem occurs in the headlight system.
AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT BEAM LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM (w/ AFS)
General
When the low beam headlights are on, the automatic headlight beam level control system operates the headlight leveling motor in accordance with movement of the vehicle.
The automatic headlight beam level control system mainly consists of the AFS ECU, rear height control sensor LH sub-assembly and two headlight leveling motors. The AFS ECU controls the system.
The AFS ECU calculates changes in the vehicle posture based on signals from the rear height control sensor sub-assembly LH and each ECU.
The ECU then controls the headlight leveling motor based on this information, in order to change the headlight reflector angle.
Initialize the height control sensor signal after the vehicle height changes due to replacement of the suspension or after performing such operations as removal and reinstallation or replacement of the rear height control sensor sub-assembly LH.
When the AFS ECU is replaced, the initialization is also necessary.
Function of Main Components
| Component | Outline | |
|---|---|---|
| AFS ECU |
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| Headlight Leveling Motor |
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| Rear Height Control Sensor Sub-assembly LH | Detects the height of the rear of the vehicle. | |
| Skid Control ECU | Transmits the speed sensor signal (Front LH and RH) to the AFS ECU. | |
| ECM | Transmits the engine running status signal to the AFS ECU. | |
| Main Body ECU | Transmits the low beam headlight status signal. | |
| Combination Meter (Meter ECU) | AFS OFF Indicator Light | When the system malfunctions, the meter ECU alerts the driver by flashing the AFS OFF indicator light in accordance with the signal from the AFS ECU. |
Initial Set Control
When the engine is started, the AFS ECU drives the headlight leveling motor, moving the headlight projector unit to the lower limit and returning it to the proper position. The AFS ECU thus assesses the position of the headlight for reference control.
Fail-safe
If the AFS ECU detects a malfunction in the automatic headlight beam level control system, the AFS ECU effects fail-safe control. At the same time, the combination meter ECU flashes the AFS OFF indicator light in order to inform the driver of the problem.
INTELLIGENT AFS (ADAPTIVE FRONT-LIGHTING SYSTEM)
General
An intelligent AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) is used in order to ensure a wide range of low beam lighting area and realize excellent visibility during turns by moving the low beam to the inside of the cornering direction.
| Driving Condition | Headlight Unit | |
|---|---|---|
| Left | Right | |
| Right Turn | 0° to 7.5° to Right | 0° to 15° to Right |
| Left Turn | 0° to 10° to Left | 0° to 5° to Left |
Function of Main Components
| Component | Outline | |
|---|---|---|
| AFS ECU | Receives various signals, calculates the target lighting angle and actuates the headlight swivel motor. | |
| Headlight Swivel Motor |
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| Steering Angle Sensor | Detects the steering angle and direction and outputs this signal to the AFS ECU. | |
| AFS OFF Switch | Pressing this switch, disables the operation of the intelligent AFS. | |
| Skid Control ECU | Transmits the speed sensor signal (Front LH and RH) to the AFS ECU. | |
| ECM |
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| Main Body ECU | Transmits the low beam headlight status signal. | |
| Combination Meter ECU | AFS OFF Indicator Light |
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The AFS ECU performs intelligent AFS control when all the following conditions are met:
Shift lever is not in R and N.
Engine is running.
Vehicle speed* is 10 km/h (6 mph) or more.
Steering angle* is 7.5° or more.
Low beam headlights are on.
AFS OFF switch is off (not pushed).
*: Swivel angle change is in accordance with the vehicle speed and steering angle.
Initial Set Control
When the engine is started, the AFS ECU drives the headlight swivel motor, moves the headlight to the operation limit in the direction toward the vehicle center and returns it to the proper position. The AFS ECU thus assesses the position of the headlight for reference control.
Fail-safe
If the AFS ECU detects a malfunction in the intelligent AFS, the AFS ECU effects fail-safe control. At the same time, the combination meter ECU flashes the AFS OFF indicator light in order to inform the driver of the problem.
AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT BEAM LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM (w/o AFS)
General
This system maintains the low beam headlights at a constant level while the vehicle is stopping.
This system is controlled by the headlight leveling ECU assembly. The headlight leveling ECU assembly detects the vehicle posture via the rear height control sensor sub-assembly RH, and detects the vehicle speed via the combination meter assembly. The headlight leveling ECU assembly controls each headlight leveling motor based on these pieces of information in order to change the headlight reflector angle.
Initialize the rear height control sensor sub-assembly LH signal after the vehicle height changes due to replacement of the suspension or after operations as reinstallation or replacement of the rear height control sensor sub-assembly LH.
When the headlight leveling ECU assembly is replaced, initialization is also necessary.
Function of Main Components
| Component | Outline |
|---|---|
| Rear Height Control Sensor Sub-assembly LH | Detects vehicle height. |
| Combination Meter Assembly |
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| Headlight Leveling Motor | Based on the signals received from the headlight leveling ECU assembly, each motor moves the reflector in the headlight to vary its low beam. |
| Headlight Leveling ECU Assembly |
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AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM SYSTEM
General
The automatic high beam system enhances the illumination of the area to the front of the vehicle to improve visibility for the driver. It works by detecting light from the front using the camera built into the inner rear view mirror assembly and turning the high beams of the headlights on or off automatically.
Function of Main Components
| Component | Outline | |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic High Beam Sensor (Inner Rear View Mirror Assembly) | 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 AFS ECU (headlight swivel ECU assembly) via the LIN. | |
| AFS ECU (Headlight Swivel ECU Assembly) | Acts as the gateway between the automatic high beam sensor (inner rear view mirror assembly) which uses the LIN and CAN communication. In addition, it stores Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) if an automatic high beam sensor (inner rear view mirror assembly) malfunction occurs. | |
| Steering Angle Sensor (Spiral Cable Sub-assembly) | Outputs the steering angle information to the AFS ECU (headlight swivel ECU assembly). | |
| Skid Control ECU | Outputs the information about the speed of the right front wheel. This information is used by the automatic high beam sensor (inner rear view mirror assembly) to turn the high beams on and off. | |
| Combination Meter Assembly | Displays the automatic high beam indicator light when it receives illuminate or blink request signals from the main body ECU.
Tip:
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| Main Body ECU |
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| ECM | Outputs a signal to indicate that shift lever in R. Based on this signal, the automatic high beam sensor (inner rear view mirror assembly) turns the high beams off. | |
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 engine switch is on (IG).
The light control switch is in the AUTO position and the low beam headlights are on.
The dimmer switch is in the high position.
When all of the following conditions are met, high beams automatically turn on after a short delay:
Vehicle speed is more than approximately 30 km/h (18.6 mph).
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 20 km/h (12.4 mph).
The level of ambient light is higher than a specified threshold.
There are oncoming vehicles with headlights on.
There are preceding vehicles with taillights on.
There are several streetlights along the street ahead.
When any of the following conditions are met, the automatic high beam system will be canceled and the indicator light will turn off.
The engine switch is turned off.
The light control switch is turned to any position except the AUTO position.
The low beam headlights are turned off.
The dimmer switch is moved to the low position.
It is possible to manually turn the high beams on and off using either of the following operations:
Turn the light control switch from the AUTO position to the head position. In this case, the high beams turn on according to the dimmer switch high position. To change to the low beams, move the dimmer switch to the low position.
Move the dimmer switch from the high position to the low position. In this case, the low beams turn on according to the dimmer switch position.
The automatic high beam system monitors the area in front of the vehicle using the camera built into the inner rear view mirror assembly 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 on and off may change unexpectedly.
The camera built into the inner rear view mirror assembly continually monitors the light level in the area to the 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.