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How To: Change Headlamp / Headlight bulb

Discussion in 'Knowledge Base Articles Discussion' started by usbseawolf2000, Oct 20, 2007.

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  1. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Comparison between Philips X-Treme (55W Halogen) vs. 4,500k HID (35W).

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    #121 usbseawolf2000, Sep 5, 2009
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  2. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Whoa, that's pretty impressive.

    Consumer Reports had found that the Prius OEM halogens were much better than the Prius OEM HIDs.

    If Consumer Reports' tests didn't have a flaw such as improperly aimed or broken Prius OEM HIDs, I think your aftermarket conversion HIDs illuminate the road better than the OEM HIDs because your HIDs are at least as bright as the Philips X-Treme Power halogens which IMO are truly 80% brighter than the Prius OEM halogens.
     
    #122 Boo, Sep 5, 2009
  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    HIDs produce a lot more light. Most of them are at the center (in front of the car). As the picture shows, the light in front of the car is very bright. The light does not disperse evenly as a projection lamp (2010 model) would have.

    BTW, I have the lights pointed down lower.
     
    #123 usbseawolf2000, Sep 5, 2009
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Interesting. This is the first bi-xenon kit I've seen.

    It does look bright. The 2010's light is fairly bright (Even compared to the aftermarket bulbs in our '05). I can't wait to install the HIDs when I get home (they've arrived according to my brother)
     
    #124 Tideland Prius, Sep 7, 2009
  5. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    Interesting you said that.. because I am quite impressed with the high beams on the 2010!... I haven't figured out why... maybe its how they are focused, but they do a jam up job.... better than the HID's IMO for objects up off the road a few feet.

    I'm trying to decide if the Phillips X treme are worth the trouble to just replace now or whether to wait till I have at least one of the stock Halogens go out...... humm.

    Has anyone replaced both high beam and low beam with the phillips Xtreme?.. or only low beam?
     
    #125 windstrings, Sep 7, 2009
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well remember that our Gen IIs are dual filaments so all 3 of us would've used it in high beams too.
     
    #126 Tideland Prius, Sep 7, 2009
  7. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    LOL!... your right.. sorry... I've got GenIII on the brain!
     
    #127 windstrings, Sep 7, 2009
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    you've been brainwashed!!
     
    #128 Tideland Prius, Sep 7, 2009
  9. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    Yep... I feel like a two timer!.. I was hard to even wash my little red hot tamale!.... all my attention has been to my Blue baby!
     
    #129 windstrings, Sep 7, 2009
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I haven't washed my '10 yet. Will do that tomorrow.
     
    #130 Tideland Prius, Sep 8, 2009
  11. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    looks like the price dropped on two HID D4R or D4S bulbs to 49.00 _ 10 shipping!....

    These HID bulbs will be as cheap as Halogen in the not too distant future... its the big companies that keep trying to hold the price up..... thank God for global competition eh?
     
    #131 windstrings, Sep 11, 2009
  12. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Yup, that's exactly why I jumped on and tried it out. I am very satisfy with the extra light.
     
    #132 usbseawolf2000, Sep 11, 2009
  13. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Maybe everyone else knew this, but I didn't until a minute ago:

    Aftermarket HID conversions are not street legal anywhere in the United States.
     
    #133 Boo, Sep 25, 2009
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yup and they're not legal in Canada either.
     
    #134 Tideland Prius, Sep 26, 2009
  15. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I was aware of it before I installed it; therefore I ordered 4300k color to be as close as the X-Treme Power. The side benefit of picking lower k HID is more lumen compared to 5000k or 6000k.

    The bulb I received was labeled 4500k but the color is just right. It looks between a halogen and pure white light.

    I am careful the cops are not around when I turn on the light, that's about it.

    From what I have read, the housing is the same for both HID and Halogen. I will not need to worry about the head lamp housing melting issue.

    I found one more downside with the bi-xenon H4 bulb. If I have the light turned off and I flip the high beam, I do not get the full light since it has to warm up. It may be hard on the bulb to flash (warn) driver ahead with multiple on/off.
     
    #135 usbseawolf2000, Sep 26, 2009
  16. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    That's correct, Boo. Same as driving 1 mph over the speed limit. Illegal everywhere, or tooting your horn to say "hi!" :gasp: :)
     
    #136 darelldd, Sep 26, 2009
  17. priusNlondon

    priusNlondon Pingu 2.0

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    I purchased mine last year in Nov, my driver's side lamp went this week. I'm gutted :( especially now reading this and seeing it's not surprising as they have a short life. Yet the ones that came with the car lasted for 3yrs! and probably would have continued! I had the bulbs put in at the dealers and they gave me back the old factory bulbs, since they have been touched now and they put them in the package of the philips bulbs (but broke the clasps to keep it shut!) will they still be ok to put back in? I imagine they have dust on them now :( Or do I need to buy new ones?
     
    #137 priusNlondon, Oct 22, 2009
  18. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    I think the only thing you have to do with halogen bulbs that have been touched is to wipe them clean with alcohol. That should remove whatever body oil is on them.
     
    #138 Boo, Oct 22, 2009
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    You can put the old one back in. Just wipe it with a cloth and make sure there are no finger print or dust are on it.

    The bulb gets dimmer over time so I don't know if you want to put it back in even though it still works. It is up to you.
     
    #139 usbseawolf2000, Oct 22, 2009
  20. priusNlondon

    priusNlondon Pingu 2.0

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    :eek: poo, do you think it's worth me getting some more of the Xtreme's or would it make more sense to get something else? The dealer is happy to put what ever in for me.

    Cheers for the tip on the cleaning, i have some alcohol here and a dusting cloth.
     
    #140 priusNlondon, Oct 22, 2009
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