Gen 2 Headlight Bulbs

Also tape, plastic, prep time. My main point is that replacement (but not OEM) headlights are not very expensive for this car, so that swapping them out is not much, if at all, more costly than refinishing a pair all the way through spraying 2K clear coat (safely). I agree that it would be safer to spray outside than in, especially with a slight breeze towards the car and away from the painter. That said, 2K clear coat is still very nasty stuff. The isocyanates it contains are not just irritants, some of them are also carcinogens.

Here in SoCal it would be pretty difficult to do a decent paint job outside. The air is usually dusty since it blows in off the desert and in my experience painting wood with spray cans midge swarms often stick to the work, attracted by volatile elements in the paint. (I think they are midges, in any case, midge sized bugs that fly around in groups of several hundred individuals.)

 

Carcinogens? Just read that eating red meat and processed meat can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and certain cancers, especially colorectal cancer.

Tape, plastic, prep? Prep and tape for plastic polishing, basically the same. 1.5 mil plastic about $5 worth.

Package 6 sooo my headlights are HID, so swapping out is not that much?
$200 each (but not OEM as you say) = $400.

How did you forget that some Prius are HID?

 

I never looked for HID replacements. Why would the plastic part of the headlamp assembly be more for those than for halogens, assuming neither includes the bulb?

 

You seem befuddled. How is it that you are asking me, you normally always have the answer. Plastic is plastic?

 

I have never seen a Prius headlight assembly with HID bulbs, so don't know how or if it differs from that for halogen bulbs.

 

Groups of several hundred individuals? Geez you're 62 years old? You sound much much younger.

 

Can someone recommend a brand and part number for a 2007 Prius? My drivers side low beam is out. Are there separate bulbs for lie and high beam because I’m seeing parts with different connector end- some with prongs some without. I’d be interested in a brighter long life. Also I have a tail light out - rear running light. The bulb is mini clear and when I shop parts, so many different pop up. I want a bright long life again, and don’t want to accidentally buy an interior dome light

 

I would get the Sylvania 9003 (H4) Basic halogen headlight bulbs. About $20 for two.

They combine high and low beams in one three prong bulb.

You can get brighter bulbs from Sylvania and others but bulb life decreases dramatically. A Basic is rated for 1110 hours but a 60% brighter bulb is "up to 200 hours". There are brighter but burn out quicker.

Given how difficult it is to change these bulbs, never go with cheap no name bulbs or the ultra bright burn out quick versions.

Also- be sure to have the cable connector checked for corrosion or melting. The factory connectors do melt and cause hotter connections which burn out bulbs faster as well. There are ceramic "pigtails" which can replace defective factory headlight connectors.

$8 on Amazon


Rear running light. Just go to the local auto supply and have them look it up.

 

You actually do not want a bright tail light. That is just so annoying for traffic following you. You just need to get the factory-spec light bulb. I have a 2006 and a 2007 Prius and haven't had to replace a rear tail light, so I don't think longevity will be a problem – unless you buy some cheap no-name trash.

As far as getting the bulb that is a correct fit, use a decent website that allows you to enter your make and model. It makes life so much simpler. Alla Lighting is one such website

 

Thank you for your response. Before having the chance to read this, I did go ahead and order the
Sylvania 9003 SilverStar High Performance Halogen Headlight Pair Set 2 Bulbs 057. While I’ll probably like the brightness, hopefully they’ll last a while. Interesting that that the basic lights will last longer. The one that just went out I bet is factory so it lasted 125k miles. Too bad there aren’t ones like that retail. Maybe oem at the dealer. Anyway I appreciate the advice and the note about the pigtails. Perhaps I’ll get the ceramic because the brighter lights will run hotter I’m sure.

 

I usually buy bulbs from a nearby auto parts store and they sell third-party parts of reasonable quality. Is it different in the US?

You certainly can buy them from the dealer and considering you'll only be buying them once, it certainly is an option.

 

also after considerable research I discovered the Prius have two bulb types for Gen 2 headlights. HID and Halogen. HID are typically on those that that have fog lights, which mine does not so I’ll presume I have halogen. Ridiculous that there isn’t some universality in parts, and an easier way to replace these without have to take off so much plastic housing. Some online have completely take the housing for the entire headlight out. Others say the manual recommends removing the bumper. Insane. Most on YouTube were able to replace with grief but not major disassembling

 

Given that headlights need replaced often after the factory ones burn out (many are saying 1-3 years) you won’t be only buying them once.

Also, the same model bulbs at the local auto parts store are 2-3 times more expensive. I bought mine on Amazon

 

How difficult the headlight bulbs are to replace with less disassembly comes down to strength and hand size.

I've done it both ways and loosening the bumper cover and grill and then removing the headlight enclosure is definitely easier and just as quick, after you've done it a couple of times. It shines (no pun intended) when doing the headlight change for the first time after 15 years in service. Having clear access to work the cover seal is a breeze to get loose and being able to have access to, and clearly see the lock spring is a no-brainer.

YMMV.

I've changed the headlights once on one car and will be doing the other soon. I don't envisage doing it again.

I guess if you buy the cheap parts or super bright bulbs you will do it more often. If that is not for you, buy quality parts.

Guess why they are 2-3 times more expensive?

You'll be back in there changing them soon.

Amazon and eBay are flooded with counterfeit and low-quality parts.

 

I just thought Sylvania was a quality part. And hopefully the part I bought on Amazon is genuine. The packaging is exactly the same. Oh boy. There is no honor among thieves

 

Sylvania is a quality brand which makes it a prime target for counterfeiting. Yep, the counterfeiters put more effort into the packaging than the actual product so it will look like the real thing.

Let's hope you connected with a genuine Sylvania retailer.

Never a truer word said.

 

You should get 140 -145 hours out of those instead of the Basic's 1110 hours, which are factory equivalents designed for many years of operation.

Sylvania claims the average person uses low beams 100 hours a year which means you might get 1.4 years out of the brighter bulbs instead of 11 years from the factory. The bright bulbs also tend to melt the factory connectors.

I have put in Silverstars on request for people only to have them burn out in 3 to 6 months. Sylvania knows they are limited lifespan and guarantees them for a year if you save the receipts and packaging. Even then you have to go through them rather than your retailer.

Sylvania Silverstar Lifespans




The alternatives are Sylvania 9003 (or others) LEDs which run very hot, require the ceramic cable connector and generally can't be used with the rubber boot waterproofing the halogen bulbs use. The LEDs will last several years or longer (they are fairly new so ten years is yet to be seen) but they are technically illegal in most states for use in reflector headlight assemblies. Primarily because cheap versions tend to blind oncoming drivers and could hurt somebody. Nevertheless they are sold as 9003 "fog light" bulbs.

 

Taking the bumper cover off or at least partially off is way easier and faster once you know what you are doing. It's about an hour job but not easily figured out the first time without instruction. Otherwise it's a very difficult work by feel job that may even cut up your hands.

That's why I said you really don't want cheap or short life bulbs. Do it once and do it right.

 

Gosh, don't miss swapping out the bulbs. Got it down to around 35 minutes each about once per year
kris

 

A LED "fog light" / headlight I might buy instead of the Sylvania would be the Lasfit LED.

9003 H4 HB2 LED Bulbs 60W 6000K｜LASFIT – Lasfit®

Model No: LAplusH4