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Wanting to change stock yellow foglights to white lights

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Val_, Jul 25, 2022.

  1. Val_

    Val_ New Member

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    don't really like the white/yellow light combo on my prius, was wondering what white light bulbs on the cheaper end would be nice looking on it. Also pros and cons on what type of bulb to use? HID? Halogen? LED? Thanks!
    20220725_142748.jpg
     
    #1 Val_, Jul 25, 2022
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 25, 2022
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk is one source. They do ship to the US (I've bought two sets of headlights for my Gen 2 back in the day). They were just halogen replacements.

    I'd be cautious about LED replacements - make sure they have a heat sink built in. The foglight compartment is small and the original halogen ones run hot so you'd want to make sure the LEDs have a heat sink or they might fail due to heat in a small enclosure.

    Alternatively, HIDs if you don't run them often.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jul 25, 2022
  3. Val_

    Val_ New Member

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    Interesting, what is a heat sink? say I do use them very often would I need Halogens then? Do halogens give white light?
    Sorry not very knowledgeable with lights
     
    #3 Val_, Jul 25, 2022
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Were yellow fogs ever stock?
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jul 26, 2022
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    OP is saying that the "warm" 4500K color output of the halogen bulbs is "yellow" compared to the "white" color of the IMO bluish color output of some HIDs and LEDs that are in the 5000-6000K color temp range.

    IMO, yellow foglights are exactly what you want for better contrast on wet roads and foggy conditions. At night, when the roads are wet, white light will glare off the road, yellow light gives contrast to the road so you can actually see potholes, etc in the road surface. I intentionally put yellow bulbs or vinyl film over my foglights on all of my vehicles for that reason. 20180519_154212.jpeg 20200817_155247.jpeg 20220509_111447.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #5 xliderider, Jul 26, 2022
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. Val_

    Val_ New Member

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    maybe yellow does help but not worth it to me dont really like yellow on cars. What is best if I use the fog lights very often? HID? LED? Or Halogen? Should I be looking for somthing in the 5k-6k range?
     
    #6 Val_, Jul 26, 2022
  7. Another

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    Take a look at USA made LEDs from Diode Dynamics
    Automotive LED Replacement Bulbs & Lighting Upgrades
     
    #7 Another, Jul 27, 2022
  8. Val_

    Val_ New Member

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    Read that HID arnt really good if I use them often, also read LEDs need a heat sink which I don't what that is. Thinking white Halogens vs DRLs right now
     
    #8 Val_, Jul 27, 2022
  9. Val_

    Val_ New Member

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    Will these LED be an OK fit for 05 prius foglight?

    Screenshot_20220727-154352_Amazon Shopping.jpg 20220727_150051.jpg
    Also pic of the oem one
     
    #9 Val_, Jul 27, 2022
  10. monoshock

    monoshock Member

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    Amber fogs was a big deal in the 60s and 70s I still like the looks of them better, but I'm old.
     
    #10 monoshock, Jul 27, 2022
  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    #11 xliderider, Jul 27, 2022
  12. Val_

    Val_ New Member

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    What would be better for better lighting?
     
    #12 Val_, Jul 27, 2022
  13. Val_

    Val_ New Member

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    Amber is still nice on some cars but not on the prius imo
     
    #13 Val_, Jul 28, 2022
  14. Another

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    Did you look at the DiodeDynamics link I quoted above?
    That would have answered your question

    Fog Light LEDs for 2004-2009 Toyota Prius (pair)
    • Direct replacement for Toyota Prius fog light bulbs
    • Modern LED output with long life
    • Plug and play, no modification with factory 9006 bulb size
    • Available in multiple brightness levels
     
    #14 Another, Jul 28, 2022
  15. Val_

    Val_ New Member

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    Yes nice option but isn't 6,000K to much for foglights? Thinking going 5,000K fogs and 6,000k for headlights
     
    #15 Val_, Jul 28, 2022
  16. Another

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    The K value is degrees Kelvin color not necessarily brightness.
    You can call diode dynamics and enquire about brightness options.
     
    #16 Another, Jul 29, 2022
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I just mean the LED replacement should have some way of dissipating heat generated by the LED diodes.

    The stock halogens get really hot (you'll see it steaming if you drive in the rain). I suspect (but never got it confirmed) that's why there's a gap around the housing - to let air flow through the plastic ring housing and cool the lens.

    Hmm, if you use it often, halogens is the cheaper way to go. HIDs will fail prematurely especially if you're constantly starting/stopping the car. LEDs are ideal but I have no feel for their longevity in the aftermarket scene. Stock bulbs will last longer but any aftermarket one that gives off the 5,000K hue will last much shorter (like a year or two).

    If you run halogens, be wary of running them when it's raining. As I said, they run hot and the cold rain vs. the hot lens will eventually crack the foglight housing glass.
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Jul 29, 2022
  18. Another

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    As many States require you to have your headlights turned on when it’s raining, Gen2 Prius’s don’t have stock DRLs and using the Fog lamps in the rain is useful, so that would be a problem.
    Another Prius design flaw.
    Did they ever replace them under warranty?
     
    #18 Another, Jul 30, 2022
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2022
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The stock fogs don’t do much for you. Maybe for other motorists…

    If you’re curious, the DRL in Canada is the low beam at reduced intensity.

    Not sure. Ours cracked outside of warranty because we learned about this issue on PC here.
     
    #19 Tideland Prius, Jul 30, 2022
  20. Another

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    Yep, stock lights are crap and now another reason not to like them.
    But DiodeDynamics see link in prior post, #14, above, offers high output LED fog lamps. Pricey but they are a USA manufacturer and come with three year warranty.
     
    #20 Another, Jul 31, 2022
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