LIGHTING SYSTEM SYSTEM DESCRIPTION


  1. AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM


    1. General

      When the light control switch is in the AUTO position, the automatic light control sensor detects ambient light levels and outputs a signal to the main body ECU. The main body ECU controls the low beam headlights, front clearance lights, taillights and license plate lights according to the signal from the automatic light control sensor.

    2. Fail-safe

      If the main body ECU detects a malfunction in the rain sensor, the main body ECU performs fail-safe control to prohibit automatic light control. If the headlights or taillights are on, the lights remain on until the light control switch is turned off.

  2. LIGHT TURN-OFF SYSTEM


    1. General

      The light turn-off system is used to prevent the driver from leaving the vehicle with the headlights, front fog lights*, rear fog lights, front clearance lights, taillights or license plate lights on.

      *: w/ Front Fog Light

    2. When the light control switch is in the AUTO position and the driver side door is opened with the ignition switch off, the headlights, front fog lights*, rear fog lights, clearance lights, taillights and license plate lights turn off.

      *: w/ Front Fog Light

    3. When the ignition switch is turned off with the light control switch in the head position, the headlights and front fog lights* turn off.

      *: w/ Front Fog Light

    4. w/ Front Fog Light:

      When the ignition switch is turned off with the light control switch in the tail position, the front fog lights turn off.

  3. HID HEADLIGHT SYSTEM


    1. 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 ECU.

      • 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.

  4. BI-FUNCTION


    1. Vehicles with HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights have a bi-function. This bi-function increases the upper illumination area of the discharge bulb when the high beam is turned on.


      • If the low beam is selected, the upper illumination area of the discharge bulb is blocked by a shade and only the lower illumination area is used. If the high beam is selected, the headlight solenoid slides the shade down to allow use of the upper illumination area, thus increasing the illumination area and improving visibility when the high beam is on.

      • This function is activated by the front controller. The front controller receives a high beam turn on signal from the main body ECU RH and activates the headlight solenoid built into the headlight unit to slide the shade down.

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  5. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM


    1. The daytime running light system is designed to automatically illuminate the headlights (high-intensity parking lights), during the daytime to make the car more visible to other vehicles.


      • The main body ECU controls this system.


      • This system is enabled when the conditions below are met:


        • The ignition switch is ON.


        • An engine speed signal is input (the engine is running).

        • The light control switch is in the off or AUTO position (and the tail lights are not turned on via the automatic light control system).

        • Parking brake is released.

  6. AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT BEAM LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM


    1. 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 headlight swivel ECU, rear height control sensor and two headlight leveling motors. The headlight swivel ECU controls the system.

      • The headlight swivel ECU calculates changes in the vehicle posture based on signals from the rear height control sensor and each ECU.

      • The ECU then controls the headlight leveling motor based on this information, in order to change the headlight beam angle.

      Note


      • Initialize the rear height control sensor 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.

      • When the headlight swivel ECU is replaced, the initialization is also necessary.

    2. Function of Main Components

      Component Outline
      Headlight Swivel ECU

      • Calculates changes in the vehicle posture based on the signals from the rear height control sensor and each ECU.

      • Outputs a control signal to the headlight leveling motor, based on the detected value.

      • Provides initial set control, a fail-safe function and diagnosis function.
      Headlight Leveling Motor

      • Based on the signals received from the headlight swivel ECU, the motors move the reflectors in the headlights to vary the low beam.

      • Uses a step motor to precisely regulate the angle of the reflectors.
      Rear Height Control Sensor Detects the height of the rear of the vehicle.
      Skid Control ECU Transmits the speed sensor signal (front LH and RH) to the headlight swivel ECU.
      ECM Transmits the engine running status signal to the headlight swivel ECU.
      Main Body ECU Transmits the low beam headlight status signal.
      Combination Meter AFS OFF Indicator Light When the system malfunctions, the meter alerts the driver by flashing the AFS OFF indicator light in accordance with the signal from the headlight swivel ECU.

    3. Initial Set Control

      When the engine is started, the headlight swivel ECU drives the headlight leveling motor, moving the headlight to the lower limit and returning it to the proper position. The headlight swivel ECU thus assesses the position of the headlight for reference control.

    4. Fail-safe

      If the headlight swivel ECU detects a malfunction in the automatic headlight beam level control system, the headlight swivel ECU performs fail-safe control. At the same time, the combination meter flashes the AFS OFF indicator light in order to inform the driver of the problem.

  7. INTELLIGENT AFS (ADAPTIVE FRONT-LIGHTING SYSTEM)


    1. 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.

      Swivel Angle Range (for LHD)
      Driving Condition Headlight Unit
      Left Right

      Right Turn

      (Vehicle speed: 10 to 30 km/h [6 to 19 mph])

      		 0° 0° to 10° to Right

      Left Turn

      (Vehicle speed: 10 to 30 km/h [6 to 19 mph])

      		 0° to 15° to Left 0°

      Right Turn

      (Vehicle speed: 30 km/h [19 mph] or higher)

      		 0° to 5° to Right 0° to 10° to Right

      Left Turn

      (Vehicle speed: 30 km/h [19 mph] or higher)

      		 0° to 15° to Left 0° to 7.5° to Left
      Swivel Angle Range (for RHD)
      Driving Condition Headlight Unit
      Left Right

      Right Turn

      (Vehicle speed: 10 to 30 km/h [6 to 19 mph])

      		 0° 0° to 15° to Right

      Left Turn

      (Vehicle speed: 10 to 30 km/h [6 to 19 mph])

      		 0° to 10° to Left 0°

      Right Turn

      (Vehicle speed: 30 km/h [19 mph] or higher)

      		 0° to 7.5° to Right 0° to 15° to Right

      Left Turn

      (Vehicle speed: 30 km/h [19 mph] or higher)

      		 0° to 10° to Left 0° to 5° to Left

    2. Function of Main Components

      Component Outline
      Headlight Swivel ECU Receives various signals, calculates the target lighting angle and actuates the headlight swivel motor.
      Headlight Swivel Motor

      • Driven by the headlight swivel ECU, the motor moves the low beam left or right to the angle calculated by the headlight swivel ECU.

      • A step motor is used for the headlight swivel motor. The headlight swivel ECU determines the low beam angle based on the number of steps (position) of the step motor.
      Steering Angle Sensor Detects the steering angle and direction and outputs this signal to the headlight swivel ECU.
      Headlight Swivel Main Switch Disables the operation of the intelligent AFS when pressed.
      Skid Control ECU Transmits the speed sensor signal (front LH and RH) to the headlight swivel ECU.
      ECM

      • Transmits the engine running status signal to the headlight swivel ECU.

      • Transmits the shift position signal to the headlight swivel ECU. The headlight swivel ECU determines whether the vehicle is moving forward or in reverse from this signal.
      Main Body ECU Transmits the low beam headlight status signal.
      Combination Meter AFS OFF Indicator Light

      • When the system malfunctions, the meter flashes the AFS OFF indicator light based on the signal from the headlight swivel ECU to alert the driver.

      • When the headlight swivel main switch is pushed, the headlight swivel ECU illuminates the AFS OFF indicator light to inform the driver that the system does not operate.

    3. The headlight swivel ECU performs intelligent AFS control when all the following conditions are met:


      • Shift lever is not in R or 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.

      • Headlight swivel main switch is off (not pushed).

        *: The swivel angle changes in accordance with the vehicle speed and steering angle.

    4. Initial Set Control

      When the engine is started, the headlight swivel ECU drives the headlight swivel motor, moving the headlight as much as possible toward the vehicle center and returning it to the proper position. The headlight swivel ECU thus assesses the position of the headlight for reference control.

    5. Fail-safe

      If the headlight swivel ECU detects a malfunction in the intelligent AFS, the headlight swivel ECU performs fail-safe control. At the same time, the combination meter flashes the AFS OFF indicator light in order to inform the driver of the problem.