Toyota buries the instruments in the dashboard to avoid sun glare. Lighting of those gauges and instruments is very important. These dashboard lights do not turn on when the one starts the car. They will only come on when you turn on either the Headlights or the Parking Lights. They do not come on when you turn on the Running Lights.

The stalk light switch contains four positions: 1. All lights off. 2. Front running lights on. 3. Parking Lights and dashboard lights on. 4. Headlights and dashboard lights on.

Our older Toyota turns on dashboard lights when you start the motor. I want the same thing on our new Toyota.

Update from Oct 17, 2014: The dashboard instruments are shielded and because of this, it is essential to have the dashboard instruments lighted when driving. But the only way that the dashboard lights to turn on is to turn on your parking lights or your headlights. The dashboard lights will not go on when you use the Driving Lights. I have brought this to the attention of Toyota, but to no satisfaction.