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Headlights - anything new for x

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Stingy, Dec 26, 2015.

  1. Stingy

    Stingy New Member

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    I have a 2007 with the H4 halogens, and I'm on my 4th set of headlight bulbs since I bought the car in the fall of 2013 (135K miles now). I was pulled over once when one blew out, but I try to replace them as quick as they go. While this is my first Prius, this is not my first rodeo with halogen lamps - so I am aware of proper handling techniques.

    I did the forum search and I have seen the YouTube videos - I saw no new information that I wasn't already aware of or hadn't already learned by swapping the bulbs out. Before I start diving in with a multimeter or maybe an O-scope to see how clean the power is to the bulbs, I would appreciate it if anybody out there could share some insight into the Gen II bulb-burning issue

    I'll be doing some searches for LEDs, but I'm not holding my breath. I am a diesel enthusiast (I know, I know - traitor - I get plenty of grief from the diesel guys for owning a Prius), so I am fully aware of getting proper parts - not just shopping for bargains. Is this carpet well-trodden with a firm answer ready for a newb to come along and ask the question?
     
    #1 Stingy, Dec 26, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! yes, there's a whole forum on the gen IV, check the main forum page for threads with specs.
    the visual package thread is especially helpful.
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 26, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 26, 2015
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Stingy, it's a little confusing: are you thinking about upgrade to 2016 Prius, or just what LED options are available for your gen 2? The 2016 Prius all have LED combined low/high beam now, btw. Should be great, but likely require you to donate organs to finance replacement, if ever needed. Our 2010 has the LED low beams, very nice.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Dec 26, 2015
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I was wondering what bulbs you are installing? If the bulb brightness is greater than original equipment then the bulb life will be substantially reduced.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Dec 26, 2015
  5. Stingy

    Stingy New Member

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    First - thank you for responding quickly to my inquiries. I read the material suggested, and I'm learning quickly with your help.

    I'm looking to do something permanent about the headlights on "Stingy", the 2007 Prius. Under the heading of FWIW - Stingy's big brother is "Stinky" - just playing games with names.

    [​IMG]


    I found a LED headlight kit at Race Sport Inc dawt calm, but it will still take me a lot of research to determine the correct (and reliable) path to follow to fix this problem. If anyone here knows of a 2010 LED headlight conversion that will fit the 2007, I can look at that. If there is an aftermarket answer to the problem, I'm all eyes. I don't exactly feel all warm and fuzzy about firing up the Buck$Zooka to replace a perfectly good Prius with 135K miles just to solve a headlight problem. It doesn't inspire confidence in the 2016 when the answer to the problem on the 2007 light bulb problem is to buy a whole new car.

    I tried the Silverstars, then I went back to OEM. The OEMs are the most recent fail.
     
    #5 Stingy, Dec 26, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 26, 2015
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sorry, i thought you meant 2016 prius.:oops:
     
    #6 bisco, Dec 26, 2015
  7. Stingy

    Stingy New Member

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    My fault - the thread title can take a person there.
     
    #7 Stingy, Dec 26, 2015
    bisco likes this.
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Do you leave the lights on at all times? I think the rated service life of regular halogen bulbs is only ~250 hours. That might translate to 7K miles depending upon your average vehicle speed.

    As another reference point, my 2007 has 86K miles and still has original halogen bulbs installed. The lights are on only at night.
     
    #8 Patrick Wong, Dec 26, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2015
  9. Stingy

    Stingy New Member

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    I have been contemplating this. However... I live in an area where my commute is long... on a two-lane road... in a gorge. I like to have my lights on for safety to dissuade opposing traffic from passing as I approach, since my charcoal-colored Prius blends in with the road and basalt rock walls. I'm not saying I can't shut 'em off, but if there's an option other than that or swapping bulbs on a regular basis....
     
    #9 Stingy, Dec 26, 2015
  10. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    you could install some led running lights so that idiots will see your car, assuming they're not looking at their cell phone...
     
    #10 69shovlhed, Dec 27, 2015
  11. Stingy

    Stingy New Member

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    I've seen some aftermarket stuff that could work - I may need to look into this. What about the ones below instead? I can't post links just yet, so this link needs some finessing to work:

    xenondepotdawtcalm/Philips-12953BWX2-H4-LED-Bulb-Review-s/62dawthtm
     
    #11 Stingy, Dec 27, 2015
  12. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    I don't use my lights during the day, and I've never had to replace a headlight bulb, so I don't know what bulbs last longest. only my '04 had H4 bulbs; as far as I know they were oe when I sold it
     
    #12 69shovlhed, Dec 27, 2015
    Daves09prius likes this.
  13. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

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    hey, what kind of bulbs are you using? I swaped out my OEM bulbs for Silverstars, Silverstar-Ultras, Philips X-treem vision, and other philip bulbs. None of them lasted very long, it seems that as both low and high-beam filaments are within the same bulb, the heat of the high beam seems to weaken the low-beam filament (at least that was one theory some one told me awhile ago) also the brighter the bulb you sacrifice longevity, so they just naturally don't last as long because they are burning brighter.

    I tried a set of LED bulbs from that A-zon site, but I couldn't get them to work in tandem. It was like they were only designed to work on a motorcycle where one bulb is used.

    I converted to an aftermarket HID kit, and have been happy ever since. Good luck with your search!
     
    #13 Daves09prius, Dec 30, 2015
  14. Stingy

    Stingy New Member

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    I went back to OEM, and one of those failed two weeks after install. Maybe I touched the bulb - I don't know. At any rate... I have bulb burn-out burnout, and this has become a real research project. The stuff I want would hit the washer reservoir, and the stuff that fits, has a terrible cut. More products are released every month or so - so I'll just keep my finger on the pulse.

    Thanks for the feedback, and I hope to post back when I find "the good stuff".
     
    #14 Stingy, Jan 17, 2016
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