I have a 2008 ES350 and just purchased a 2015. The 2008 has lights on the mirror that light up when you approach. I noticed that the 2015 doesnt do this and am wondering if there is a seting somewhere that I have to turn on.
Anyone?

 

I don't have the manual nearby at the moment, but I believe that, to get the puddle lights to turn on when you approach the vehicle, you have to have one of the buttons in the overhead console depressed. I don't remember for sure which one it is, but I think it might be the one toward the left side of the overhead console.

 

Is the car locked? The customized settings turn it on or off, on by default.

 

For the 2014ES, if I remember correctly, the light stalk needs to be set on Auto. This is a bit annoying for me since I prefer to not use the Auto setting at all (in my area we have a lot of trees, and at dusk the lights turn on and off as I pass under the trees - which can't be good long-term for the lights). I wonder if the dealer can program these outside courtesy light to turn on when the light stalk is in another position (I only use the daylight running light setting and the on settings). I had a 07ES previously and had the same experience as you with your 08.

 

I had the same issue. Les is correct, one of the buttons on the overhead console will do it. When you approach the vehicle the interior lights and on the mirrors will illuminate.

 

Found this in the '13 manual, nothing about console buttons but probably the overhead lights need to be in the Door position rather than Off.
■Welcome light illumination control
The side marker, parking, tail and license plate lights automatically turn on at night
when the doors are unlocked using the entry function or wireless remote control if
the light switch is in the “AUTO” position