DO you have problems driving at night?

Springtime · 01-14-2006, 12:52 PM

We don't usually see heavy fog in Eastern PA in January so this week was unusual. Wednesday I drove my 94 Tercel to work in the fog and rain because I didn't want to get my new baby wet and I wanted a little more time to get used to driving it it good weather before dealing with bad weather.

For 20 years I have had trouble driving at night and it is particularly bad when you add fog and rain to the mix. I was exhaused by the time I got home on Wednesday night (10 miles drive).

Nearly the exact same conditions occured on Friday - but this time I drove my Prius. Even with fog and rain I could see the road markings far better than driving my Tercel at night without fog or rain added to the mix.

I can't believe the difference the HID lights make and while some have not noticed much difference with the fog lights I did notice an improvement in seeing the lines on the road near the car (which I could not see at all when driving the Tercel at night in rain and fog.)

The other major help in driving at night is the self adjusting rear view mirror.

If you have resigned yourself to not driving at night or only driving at night when absolutely necessary you should definately make the HID/fog lights and the self adjusting rear view mirror an option you can't live without.

It is kind of hard to test drive the Prius at night adding rain and fog to the mix but if you have an opportunity to test a Prius with HID/fog and self adjusting rear view mirror by renting a Prius or trying out a friend's car at night you will be sold on these options.

Anyone who does not have problems with night vision will not be able to appreciate the difference this makes for those of us that do limit their night driving because of the difficulty in being able to see the lines on the road.

Springtime

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 01-14-2006, 01:07 PM

The HID's strong horizontal cut-off line is amazing in fog. It doesn’t light up the fog which is at windshield level, thus allowing you to see through dark fog and see the lit areas better. I too was blown away the first time I drove in heavy fog. I have excellent vision, and it makes a difference for us too.

DaveinOlyWA · 01-14-2006, 01:20 PM

driving at night around here (or even during the day lately!) has always been a problem at this time of year. with 100% humidity, cars create a thick white mist at freeway speeds when its raining that limits visibility to as little as 100 feet at times.

i dont have HID's but the difference in vision is like night and day and i have had comments by everyone who has ridden with me that does not have a relatively new car. we are on day 27 i think for consecutative days of rain...only 7 more to break the record with no relief in sight

dafut · 01-14-2006, 01:42 PM

It seems like all I do is drive at night during this time of year. It's 9:30 and for only the last 1/2 hour has it been lightening up outside. Official sunrise is a 10:00:18 and sunset is at 16:18:02, but that's the way it is when wintering over in Anchorage.

With almost 3 weeks of Prius-driving experience, I very much enjoy how well my HID's brighten up the path in front of me. Fortunately, I haven't had any fog driving experience because when temperatures are in the mid-teens, it becomes ice fog--a rather nasty experience, although it leaves a beautiful reminder when it lifts by the white jacket that covers the trees.

One of my big concerns of late has to do with Mt. St. Augustine near Homer. It's been belching with eruptions lately and should the winds shift northeast, we can get ashfall in Anchorage. As I park outside (no garage), a car cover seemed appropriate and fortunately Costco had some in stock. $34 and I've got a bit of protection for my new car. Volcano Watch

Oh but for summer when all of my driving will be in daylight...

Betelgeuse · 01-14-2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sufferin' Prius Envy@Jan 14 2006, 02:07 PM
The HID's strong horizontal cut-off line is amazing in fog. It doesn’t light up the fog which is at windshield level, thus allowing you to see through dark fog and see the lit areas better. I too was blown away the first time I drove in heavy fog. I have excellent vision, and it makes a difference for us too.

[snapback]189864[/snapback]

How different are the HID headlights from the normal headlights? I have the normal ones, and am amazed at how good the horizontal cut-off is for those headlights. Has anyone driven a Prius both with and without HID headlights and noticed a difference?

Also, not to take away from the Prius' awesomeness, but I think that most new cars will be much better at night in the rain/fog than older cars. This isn't just because new cars are made better, but because of windshield wear. Over time, all windshields get micro-pits in them that tend to scatter light. This makes seeing harder, particularly in rain/fog, where the moisture on the windshield exacerbates the problem. BTW, if anyone has a pitted windshield and is not getting a new car soon, most insurance will replace the windshield for free after a certain time (if you have "Glass" coverage in your policy).

priusNlondon · 01-14-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Springtime@Jan 14 2006, 12:52 PM
We don't usually see heavy fog in Eastern PA in January so this week was unusual. Wednesday I drove my 94 Tercel to work in the fog and rain because I didn't want to get my new baby wet and I wanted a little more time to get used to driving it it good weather before dealing with bad weather.

For 20 years I have had trouble driving at night and it is particularly bad when you add fog and rain to the mix. I was exhaused by the time I got home on Wednesday night (10 miles drive).

Nearly the exact same conditions occured on Friday - but this time I drove my Prius. Even with fog and rain I could see the road markings far better than driving my Tercel at night without fog or rain added to the mix.

I can't believe the difference the HID lights make and while some have not noticed much difference with the fog lights I did notice an improvement in seeing the lines on the road near the car (which I could not see at all when driving the Tercel at night in rain and fog.)

The other major help in driving at night is the self adjusting rear view mirror.

If you have resigned yourself to not driving at night or only driving at night when absolutely necessary you should definately make the HID/fog lights and the self adjusting rear view mirror an option you can't live without.

It is kind of hard to test drive the Prius at night adding rain and fog to the mix but if you have an opportunity to test a Prius with HID/fog and self adjusting rear view mirror by renting a Prius or trying out a friend's car at night you will be sold on these options.

Anyone who does not have problems with night vision will not be able to appreciate the difference this makes for those of us that do limit their night driving because of the difficulty in being able to see the lines on the road.

Springtime

[snapback]189852[/snapback]

That's really great to hear!! As i live in London, England. the land of the fog and rain!!!

Oxo · 01-14-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Springtime@Jan 14 2006, 12:52 PM
It is kind of hard to test drive the Prius at night adding rain and fog to the mix but if you have an opportunity to test a Prius with HID/fog and self adjusting rear view mirror by renting a Prius or trying out a friend's car at night you will be sold on these options.

Springtime

[snapback]189852[/snapback]

HID lights (High Intensity Discharge?). I've never heard of them and don't know if I've got them. Are they standard on a 2005 model with fog lights? And is a self-adjusting rear view mirror standard? Does it move itself or does it make an optical adjustment?
Neither HID or rear view mirror is mentioned in the 2005 sales brochure or price list.

IsrAmeriPrius · 01-14-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oxo@Jan 14 2006, 01:36 PM
HID lights (High Intensity Discharge?). I've never heard of them and don't know if I've got them. Are they standard on a 2005 model with fog lights? And is a self-adjusting rear view mirror standard? Does it move itself or does it make an optical adjustment?
Neither HID or rear view mirror is mentioned in the 2005 sales brochure or price list.

[snapback]189969[/snapback]

Yes, HID stands for High Intensity Discharge. These are also known as Xenon headlights. In the European Community, headlight washers are required when a car is equipped with HID headlights. Since the Prius does not offer headlight washers, HID headlights are not available there.

There is an optional (standard on the higher packages) auto dimming feature for the interior rear view mirror. It darkens as needed when it senses bright headlights behind you.

Oxo · 01-15-2006, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by IsrAmeriPrius@Jan 14 2006, 07:24 PM
Yes, HID stands for High Intensity Discharge. These are also known as Xenon headlights. In the European Community, headlight washers are required when a car is equipped with HID headlights. Since the Prius does not offer headlight washers, HID headlights are not available there.

There is an optional (standard on the higher packages) auto dimming feature for the interior rear view mirror. It darkens as needed when it senses bright headlights behind you.

[snapback]190061[/snapback]

Thanks for useful reply. I do have what you call a "higher package" but I haven't noticed auto dimming. I'll take more notice of it next time I'm out at night. Some innovations seem so natural that you don't notice you've got them until they fail, or until you look for them.

Oregon-Mica · 01-15-2006, 10:46 AM

I did not get the HID as package changes between 2005 and 2006 meant to get HID's would have required me to go beyond my budget.

I picked up the car yesterday and drove yesterday evening. I was very impressed with the standard headlights! This being said. I do not doubt the HID's would be even better. One note however is I have heard it is particularly important with them to keep them accurately aimed.

Just my 2 cents.

01-14-2006, 12:52 PM	#1
Springtime Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	We don't usually see heavy fog in Eastern PA in January so this week was unusual. Wednesday I drove my 94 Tercel to work in the fog and rain because I didn't want to get my new baby wet and I wanted a little more time to get used to driving it it good weather before dealing with bad weather. For 20 years I have had trouble driving at night and it is particularly bad when you add fog and rain to the mix. I was exhaused by the time I got home on Wednesday night (10 miles drive). Nearly the exact same conditions occured on Friday - but this time I drove my Prius. Even with fog and rain I could see the road markings far better than driving my Tercel at night without fog or rain added to the mix. I can't believe the difference the HID lights make and while some have not noticed much difference with the fog lights I did notice an improvement in seeing the lines on the road near the car (which I could not see at all when driving the Tercel at night in rain and fog.) The other major help in driving at night is the self adjusting rear view mirror. If you have resigned yourself to not driving at night or only driving at night when absolutely necessary you should definately make the HID/fog lights and the self adjusting rear view mirror an option you can't live without. It is kind of hard to test drive the Prius at night adding rain and fog to the mix but if you have an opportunity to test a Prius with HID/fog and self adjusting rear view mirror by renting a Prius or trying out a friend's car at night you will be sold on these options. Anyone who does not have problems with night vision will not be able to appreciate the difference this makes for those of us that do limit their night driving because of the difficulty in being able to see the lines on the road. Springtime __________________ Springtime Eastern PA 2005 Silver pkg #6

01-14-2006, 01:20 PM	#3
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,382 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 122 Times in 104 Posts Friends: 10	driving at night around here (or even during the day lately!) has always been a problem at this time of year. with 100% humidity, cars create a thick white mist at freeway speeds when its raining that limits visibility to as little as 100 feet at times. i dont have HID's but the difference in vision is like night and day and i have had comments by everyone who has ridden with me that does not have a relatively new car. we are on day 27 i think for consecutative days of rain...only 7 more to break the record with no relief in sight __________________ My Blue 2010 : Last tank 541.9 @ 49.48 pump (56.7 MFD) 5.54 CPM, 21 MPH, Lifetime:5442.2 miles 56.5 MPG pump. (62.22 MFD) 4.72 CPM. Summer MPG 57.4 Winter: 49.5 My 2006 SPM: Last tank 376.6 miles @38.21 pump (40.8 MFD) 7.17 cpm winter mpg 49.64 summer mpg 53.41 lifetime: 42,563.5 miles 51.5 mpg pump (52.7 mpg MFD) 5.51 cpm My 2007 Zenn total "fuel cost" $166.58 on "about" 9599.7 miles. 1.74 cents per mile (granted i plug in for free at work!!) My Plate: DUALPWR (Dual Power)

01-14-2006, 01:42 PM	#4
dafut Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 23 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	It seems like all I do is drive at night during this time of year. It's 9:30 and for only the last 1/2 hour has it been lightening up outside. Official sunrise is a 10:00:18 and sunset is at 16:18:02, but that's the way it is when wintering over in Anchorage. With almost 3 weeks of Prius-driving experience, I very much enjoy how well my HID's brighten up the path in front of me. Fortunately, I haven't had any fog driving experience because when temperatures are in the mid-teens, it becomes ice fog--a rather nasty experience, although it leaves a beautiful reminder when it lifts by the white jacket that covers the trees. One of my big concerns of late has to do with Mt. St. Augustine near Homer. It's been belching with eruptions lately and should the winds shift northeast, we can get ashfall in Anchorage. As I park outside (no garage), a car cover seemed appropriate and fortunately Costco had some in stock. $34 and I've got a bit of protection for my new car. Volcano Watch Oh but for summer when all of my driving will be in daylight... __________________ 2006 Prius, Silver Mica Pine Package #4 w/ Grey interior ====================================== I drive my car to get from Point A to Point B... although sometimes I take the long way...

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01-14-2006, 01:07 PM	#2
Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,012 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	The HID's strong horizontal cut-off line is amazing in fog. It doesn’t light up the fog which is at windshield level, thus allowing you to see through dark fog and see the lit areas better. I too was blown away the first time I drove in heavy fog. I have excellent vision, and it makes a difference for us too.

01-15-2006, 10:46 AM	#10
Oregon-Mica Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 36 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I did not get the HID as package changes between 2005 and 2006 meant to get HID's would have required me to go beyond my budget. I picked up the car yesterday and drove yesterday evening. I was very impressed with the standard headlights! This being said. I do not doubt the HID's would be even better. One note however is I have heard it is particularly important with them to keep them accurately aimed. Just my 2 cents.