Just curious. Anyone know how much the HID lamps cost to replace when one burns out? Also, any idea on the average lifetime? Thanks, Shawn
A quick update. I seached around on the web and found that the replacement cost for HID lamps is on the order of $100+ each (yes, one-hundred dollars, each). And they should be replaced in pairs (they dim/color shift over the lifetime). Good news, though, the expected lifetime is 3000 hours -- enough to last the life of the car. (Remember that 3000 hours at 55mph is 165k, and you generally don't have your lights on all the time. On the other hand, halogens last about 1000 hours.) Shawn
http://www.brightheadlights-hid.com/hid-lights.htm $159 apiece. a few clicks from a Froogle search on "d2r headlamp bulb"
Wow! I had no idea they were THAT expensive, but if they last the life of the car, or even 100,000 miles it's not too bad. I really like them over regular lights and just hate driving a car without them now.
I just did a quick search and found them for under $100 each on the net. I would guess before I need one they'll be even cheaper
3500-5000 hours supposedly - we've figured that's well beyond 100k miles for the average driver unless you use them as DRL's (manually)
This explains why the Canadian models with daytime running lights don't use HIDs. 5000 hours isn't that much when they're on continually (which is a great safety feature, IMHO). Dave.
Not exactly - the HID's aren't dimmable like a halogen type bulb. DRL's run at a reduced brightness by lowering voltage. HID's aren't compatible with that - you drop the voltage beyond a certain threshold, and the reaction stops. 5000 hours of a HID bulb is also substantially longer than the average halogen bulb.
Searching for "HID headlight bulb" on ebay suggests that you can get them for about $50 unless there is something special i.e., they are not H4 Xenon HID compabible bulbs in the Prius. Would someone look in their owners manual for the replacement bulb designation?
i thought the price was because the lamps are sealed units and more than just the bulb needs to be replaced?
No - they're still modular bulbs - they're just of a different design - no filiment to speak of. They're also highly pressurized with a xenon/mercury type gas.
oh ok, so it is just bulb replaceable. i was gonna go out an look at mine but i got stuck playing Far Cry instead... you know how it goes... priorities and stuff...
Can anyone Confirm the Xenon Bulbs are D2R... I know there is a 90% chance of this, being I don’t remember seeing a shielding and Lens on the Prius headlight... But I wanted to just check before I order some new ones. I'm upgrading my 4100 Stock bulbs to 6000K bulbs... Whitch have a deeper blue color all the time. http://suvlights.tripod.com/suvlightscom/ BTW, 100$ a bulb is outrageous. Even for 6000K. They can be had for under 75$ if you find a good online shop.
Ooo. and if you want a good laugh. In searching for bulbs I found a forum where people are convinced Xenon means those stupid Painted Blue Halogen bulbs people put on their civics. And HID's are the real Deal... I can't believe they were arguing this. Xenon and HID are the Same bulbs. And The blue painted halogen bulbs on Civics, well are just that, Painted blue halogen bulbs with 1/3 of the light of unpainted ones. Click Here http://www.automotiveforums.com/t185500.html
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(uclabruins @ Mar 5 2007, 06:06 PM) [snapback]400637[/snapback]</div> The "Do It Yourself Maintenance" section of the owner's manual gives instructions on how to replace them, so I'm assuming you can do it yourself. However, they have a warning yellow label that seems intent on scaring you out of doing so. OTOH, it looks like using common sense with safety (not having the lights on, etc.) would make it doable by oneself. Also, I would assume as with high intensity xenon type projection bulbs or even halogen bulbs you want to avoid getting skin oils, etc onto the bulbs. Dave M.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lenjack @ Mar 5 2007, 08:24 PM) [snapback]400661[/snapback]</div> Are our DR4 bulbs more costly?, this is a good forum nice to know the price before they jump up and slap you in the face.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ Mar 5 2007, 08:42 PM) [snapback]400712[/snapback]</div> Does DR4 stand for something? I'm not familiar with that term.
