How do you use your headlights?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by gvp1995, Aug 23, 2016.

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  1. gvp1995

    gvp1995 Active Member

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    I have two questions about the headlights on 2016 Prius.
    1. Everyone who had 2007 model knows that the halogen bulbs go bad quickly. I remember there was a settlement way back in 2007-2008. Toyota would reimburse people who's light broke before 50,000. Ironically my left one went bad at 47,000. And then the right - at 53,000. I did receive $315 (that is how much it took to fix one side!) although it took almost a year. Since then I had to change them once more at around 100,000 mark - another $500 or so. So I developed a phobia, and only ran the lights when it is dark or rain. So I hope this issue is solved in the new model, and I can use headlight anytime. Just want to confirm
    2. Provided #1 is solved, what is the best way to use headlights? Do people just put them on 'Auto' and forget about it? Is this a viable option?
     
    #1 gvp1995, Aug 23, 2016
  2. Fanatic

    Fanatic Junior Member

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    I don't have much awareness about the issue, however I have a habit of manually turning mine on / off.
     
    #2 Fanatic, Aug 23, 2016
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  3. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    Gen4 has LED lights and headlights standard. LED don't break. Their electronics can. But extremely unlikely. They are known to be a very reliable extremely efficient and long lasting technology.
    In the same way I have never heard or seen a rear LED light in a Prius go bad, since it is essentially the same technology, there is no reason the front headlight will ever fail the lifetime of the vehicle.
    I have to keep them in AUTO because there is no OFF in the EU version ;)
     
    #3 pakitt, Aug 23, 2016
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  4. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Are you talking about Halogen or HID? I have HIDs on my 2009 Gen II (touring) and only use them when the driving conditions dictate (night, dusk, rain, fog, underground (tunnel, parking-garage)). I love my HIDs, better colour, pattern, more efficient than the old halogens, and far better than the pre-historic tungsten lamps (…are those still available, I wonder?) - Wil
     
    #4 WilDavis, Aug 23, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2016
  5. MichelleStone

    MichelleStone Senior Member

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    I've always kept my lights on auto. I have yet to drive my Prius at night though. I understand that LED lamps last a very long time. I think that just about everything else in the car has a higher potential of failure.
     
    #5 MichelleStone, Aug 23, 2016
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  6. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Yes, the lights should last the life of the car - but TOYOTA has also said that they've worked on the entire car trying for continual improvements. Hopefully, it will last a long time. Prius, in all it's previous forms has been one of the most reliable cars on the planet.

    THE NEW TOYOTA PRIUSTHE REBIRTH OF THE PIONEER
     
    #6 alanclarkeau, Aug 23, 2016
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  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I think you're talking about HIDs in the Gen 2. Halogen bulbs don't cost $315 but HID capsules do.

    Just leave them in AUTO. LEDs are reliable (and in Canada, they're used as DRLs so they're on way more often than US spec cars). If there's a reliability problem, you'll hear it from us first.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Aug 23, 2016
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  8. gvp1995

    gvp1995 Active Member

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    Sorry. Yes, you are right. HID - that was the term. After they started to go bad Toyota reduced their price from $300 to $150 - this is what the salesman told me at the time. But to install them on Gen 2, especially the left, one had to disassemble half of the car. I am glad the new one has LED. I will probably use it on the AUTO, this also makes it possible to see the P button when you arrive in the garage :)
     
    #8 gvp1995, Aug 23, 2016
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  9. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    I rotate the light stalk switch to Auto/DRL when I enter the car. That's when the Daytime Running Lights come on.
    When I exit the car, I rotate the switch back to Off.
    I never leave anything in "Auto" mode.
    I'm confident the LED lights will out-live ME.
     
    #9 Coast Cruiser, Aug 23, 2016
  10. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    We would not last long together - and it's not just your ears! I find that auto settings - lights, air-conditioner, gears, folding mirrors, etc - work well for me.
     
    #10 booke02, Aug 24, 2016
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  11. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    I just like to control everything manually. Lights, wipers, high-beams, AC, etc.
    Otherwise, big Shrek will start snoring and the little woman will smack me.

    And I absolutely hate the "artificial" feel of the cruise control. I tried it a couple days ago, and I turned it off after only a few seconds. I've never used it in any of my cars. I need to feel like I am driving the car. Give my old brain a little stimulation! :)
     
    #11 Coast Cruiser, Aug 24, 2016
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  12. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I love all the AUTO stuff - except the gearbox. I hanker for a 6 speed Manual again!! That makes you feel like you're really in control. OK - so Hybrid Synergy Drive can only be Auto.
     
    #12 alanclarkeau, Aug 24, 2016
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  13. Colin Jones

    Colin Jones Member

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    As pakitt said above, in the EU version there is no headlight OFF setting at all - so AUTO it has to be - slightly surprised me when I first got the car, but now it doesn't bother me.
     
    #13 Colin Jones, Aug 24, 2016
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  14. Sooner Al

    Sooner Al Active Member

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    FWIW I leave the headlight switch in the AUTO position with our 2016 Prius v Three...
     
    #14 Sooner Al, Aug 24, 2016
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  15. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    Auto-everything for me and cruise control any chance I get
     
    #15 krmcg, Aug 24, 2016
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  16. timdafweak

    timdafweak Member

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    The Two does not have auto DRL. But I do keep mine "ON" at all times. It is a good safety feature to have, IMHO.
     
    #16 timdafweak, Aug 24, 2016
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  17. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    My work car is a 2010 Prius, and it isn't as advanced as my GMCs are in the lighting department, so there is no auto option.
    I'm glad that they fixed that because I see a lot of G2 and G3 Priuses motoring along when it's raining and after sundown sans headlights.

    For the last 105,000 miles I've mostly just left my lights ON.
    30 seconds after I park they automatically go off (Toyota at least got that part right.)
    I have to check them whenever somebody else drives the car, but I'm a set it, and forget it type of person.
    I've replaced 2 headlamps in 105,000 miles but since halogen bulbs are a lot cheaper than fender and body shop work I figure that my beloved company is money ahead, and besides I think that I remember that they want me to have my lights on all of the time anyway.

    Whenever I drive a vehicle with automatic headlamps, I use them.

    IHMO there is no reason not to.

    YMMV
     
    #17 ETC(SS), Aug 24, 2016
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  18. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    You're just control freak aren't you CC :LOL: whatever you do don't buy a self driving vehicle :D
     
    #18 kithmo, Aug 24, 2016
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  19. MichelleStone

    MichelleStone Senior Member

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    Here in California, if it rains, the lights must be on. The auto setting does that for me. I'm too absent minded to remember to do it.
     
    #19 MichelleStone, Aug 24, 2016
  20. Coast Cruiser

    Coast Cruiser Senior Member

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    Oh no, never a "self driver." I just dont trust the technology.
     
    #20 Coast Cruiser, Aug 24, 2016
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