New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny noises

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by mynewpriusv, Mar 19, 2012.

  1. mynewpriusv

    mynewpriusv New Member

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    Hello All!

    Newb here. I just got my 12 Prius V Five. Love it so far and I have been non-stop on priuschat.

    A few question for you seasoned vets:

    1. Interior lights - looking to get all the interior lights to change to a "white" version. Could be LEDs, could be the blue bulbs. I don't really have a preference, but would prefer avoiding the rice rocket look. This would be for all dome lights, door, cargo, etc.

    2. Exterior lights - mine came with LED head lights, so I am good there. However, look to change the read license plate light along with the my fogs. The license plate would prefer to be again, the "white" look. Regarding the fogs, would prefer to be the same color/strength as my LED headlights, but would also consider yellow lights (a la IS 300). May even consider changing the parking lights as well.

    3. License holes - so I have been reading about this drunken monkey - I too, have experience that individual. My front license has been drilled for my license plate holder thingy. I am going not having a front license plate. The question how should "fix" the holes? i am thinking of something as simple as a black electrical tape (yes, my V is black). Or I have read about "plugs". Your thoughts?

    4. When I open my front drive door, I have a electric buzzing noise. Is that normal? Seems weird, but then again, I only have had pure gas engine vehicles.

    5. I am going to get to tint the car this weekend. Woo hoo! Any recommendations on level of darkness. I live in CA, so i can't be too greedy. I thinking 25 or 35% all the way around.

    Your thoughts? Ideas? Comments?

    Mucho thanks!
     
    #1 mynewpriusv, Mar 19, 2012
  2. Randyneely

    Randyneely Junior Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    I just tinted my 2012 .....15 percent front, 50 in the rear. I play golf w/a CHP.....any darker and he's going to pull you over, I also did a windshield strip....came out nice.
     
    #2 Randyneely, Mar 19, 2012
  3. Wanderer

    Wanderer Hybrid neophyte

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    Hello and welcome! On points 1 and 2 check out Cactus Hybrid's post you can find here:
    http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1446262

    In the thread photos have been posted. That's all I can help with because I'm also pretty new myself. (not quite a month in mine)

    W
     
    #3 Wanderer, Mar 19, 2012
  4. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    California Window Tint Law - TC Window Tint

    According to this - Darkness can by any level for the rear windows, but the front side windows must allow a minimum of 70% Visible Light Transmission for California.
     
    #4 Keiichi, Mar 19, 2012
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    That's likely something in the brake system pressurizing. It's normal.

    If you need to just get something out of the car, or pop the hood, if you open the front passenger door it avoids this. Bit of a reach for the hood release, but doable.

    The rest of your list: personally I wouldn't touch any of it, but that's just me ;).
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Mar 19, 2012
  6. recumbentbob

    recumbentbob New Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    As a new V5 owner I wouldn't either. Just drive it.;)
     
    #6 recumbentbob, Mar 19, 2012
  7. Harry Pottar

    Harry Pottar Junior Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    I know its personal taste but I can not see anything wrong with either the internal or external lights?

    I just had my v5 window tinted, great job but wish I could have gone darker. I had MA legal 35% all around with 6 inch strip on windscreen. It a lots better, cooler inside the car not as blinding when the suns out. Law in MA is 35% but would have liked to have gone a bit darker 25 or 20% however didn't want a ticket.

    Things I would like to see is GPS that can be used by the passenger while driving, they sense a passenger for the air bag why not the GPS. I know its all legal reasons but I have yet to have the voice recognition understand my destination. Looking for an address in MA finds it in Vermont.

    Harry
     
    #7 Harry Pottar, Mar 19, 2012
  8. mynewpriusv

    mynewpriusv New Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    Thanks guys - appreciate the thoughts.

    Yes, I know the int lights are fine, but all the "fancy" vehicles (a al my wife's RX) has nice, clear white interior lights. :)

    What about fog lights? Anyone have experience there?
     
    #8 mynewpriusv, Mar 19, 2012
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    I guess I'm destined to be the wet blanket, but anyway:

    Our (reg) Prius is Canadian "Touring" package, which has fog lights. It may vary from the V, don't know, but with ours:

    My wife is the principal driver, and says she does use them. My feeling: I have to turn them on/off a few times, just to verify something's happening. It's pretty subtle: they do throw a bit more illumination into the road edges, but very slightly.

    Aftermarket fog lights, or the V fogs, might perform differently, don't know.

    At least they look better than the black blankouts. ;)

    By comparison: I've driven a Honda Pilot with fog lights, and in that case there was a much more pronounced increase in periferal lighting.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Mar 19, 2012
  10. GantryG

    GantryG New Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    Do you know that California law requires a front plate?
     
    #10 GantryG, Mar 20, 2012
  11. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

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    #11 Keiichi, Mar 20, 2012
  12. El_Spectre

    El_Spectre Junior Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    Does it last a couple of seconds? Does it only happen if you've not opened the door recently (if you get out, close the door, then reopen it, is it silent?) ? Yeah, that's normal. I don't know *what* it is, but it happens every time I get in.

    Also, my gf reports (she stayed in the car while I ran into a store for 5 minutes) that the car makes all kinds of weird sounds if you shut it down and take the key out. Presumably just various systems depressurizing, etc.
     
    #12 El_Spectre, Mar 20, 2012
  13. mynewpriusv

    mynewpriusv New Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    Yes, it does. It made the sound this morning after opening the door, but BEFORE I actually sat down. I never did anything with the car prior.
     
    #13 mynewpriusv, Mar 20, 2012
  14. monkey28

    monkey28 Junior Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    It's because the brake pump to pressurize/prime the accumulator to brake the car in case the driver need the brake right a way without turning on the car, it's like you still have couple stoke of power assist brake power on regular car after the engine has been off, Prius is brake by wire, only at emergency (i.e, failure of abs pump) using brake directly from your pedal.
     
    #14 monkey28, Mar 20, 2012
  15. ddaw215

    ddaw215 New Member

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    Re: New Prius V Five - Have questions on - Int/Ext LEDs, License Plate Holes, Fog Lights, Funny nois

    Mine has "the plugs" on the front, its not horrible.
     
    #15 ddaw215, Mar 21, 2012
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