4 questions re: HID headlights

[davidtoo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pola @ May 13 2007, 09:17 PM) [snapback]441472[/snapback]</div>

How long do HDI lights last?
What do they cost to replace ?
Do they annoy other drivers ??

Consumerreports.org said the problem is the fake HID lights, with a blueish light, not the real ones.
They said the real HID's give better visibility to the driver, including out of the side of the vehicle (more than is necessary) which can blind oncoming cars. That does not sound safe.

Is this true ?

thanks,
[/b]

[davidtoo]

How long do HDI lights last? The left front bulb on my April, 2006 Prius lasted only 40,000 miles.

What do they cost to replace ? I replaced it at the dealer yesterday for a total cost of $522.05 ($323.49 for the bulb and $172.50 for labor - the bumper has to be removed to replace the unit, plus tax). Needless to say, I immediately turned off my day time running lights. I will turn them on manually from now on when conditions warrant.

Do they annoy other drivers ?? Not if they are properly adjusted.

[tkil]

I use my HID low beams as DRLs, since I strongly believe in the safety benefits of having them. I got my 2005 #9 ("BC"?) in April 2005, and both lights are still working fine, and they've been on for almost all of the 44k miles I've driven. (Granted, that's in fairly climate conditions in both San Diego and Albuquerque; I've read that temperature extremes can accelerate bulb failure.)

My understanding is that a headlight bulb replacement should should only require the engine "hood" removal, the black plastic over the forward portion of the engine compartment. It's the fog lights that involve bumper removal.

And I've seen people talking as low as 50 USD/bulb, although you might have to observe special precautions (don't touch them with bare skin due to oils causing premature envelope failure, etc). So I'm not too worried about it at this point.

[dhurlic]

My Right-Front light lasted 106K miles and I kept the lights on during the day. The bill, $335 per light (I decided to replace both) and $200 for installation was a real shock. Needless to say I will only use my light at night. I have never received complaints about the lights from other drivers.

[Rich96c4ce]

If you are intertested in HID headlamps and headlamp glare, see:
http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/p64/139655.pdf
then see:
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/809-669.PDF

I wrote the first one.

P.S. When I figure out a simple way to have a low energy, long life, and effective DRL for my Prius, I will post how to do it.

[kenmce]

Originally Posted by Rich96c4ce

P.S. When I figure out a simple way to have a low energy, long life, and effective DRL for my Prius, I will post how to do it.

How about a strip of LEDs running across the front of the car?

[Rich96c4ce]

Originally Posted by kenmce

How about a strip of LEDs running across the front of the car?

That would be the idea, but you really need ones that will give you the correct beam pattern (essentially identical to a turn signal lamp) and with an intensity of about 500 candela on axis. The only way to get that is to use replacement amber LED turn signal lamps that are used on heavy trucks. There are none that I have found that are compatible with the curvacious Prius nose without doing a serious nose job. I will keep looking. I only started looking yesterday (picked up the cute thing on Saturday!), but I have a significant background in motor vehicle lighting and I am not that hopeful yet that it can be done without surgury to get them mounted. For those who don't have fog lamps, the location of the empty holes is just too low to be useful for DRLs. There is a Hella DRL kit that uses filament bulbs is a housing that is oval in shape, only slightly wider than the fog lamp opening. Unfortunately, it is not LEDs, and it is too low. I will keep looking. Hella has an LED kit that is not yet available in the US. I will try to get info on it. It may fit, but again, its not a great location. I will keep in touch.

When I find something I will start a DRL thread so as not to highjack this thread. It looks like there is a lot of interest.

[Rich96c4ce]

Originally Posted by Rich96c4ce

If you are intertested in HID headlamps and headlamp glare, see:
http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/p64/139655.pdf
then see:
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/809-669.PDF

I wrote the first one.

P.S. When I figure out a simple way to have a low energy, long life, and effective DRL for my Prius, I will post how to do it.

Bottom line about HID headlamps for the Prius: drive both types at night before putting a deposit on your next new car.

[NaptownPrius]

Originally Posted by comtech5

Both of my HID bulbs lasted exactly 14 months. An Orlando FL dealer quoted me $350 each. If this short lamp life continues to be the case, that kind of negates the fuel economy savings, doesn't it?

I bought my Prius at Koons Toyota in Annapolis. They do a new car owner appreciation night at a local hotel once a month...free dinner, some raffles and a lot of service hard sell.

I asked their service manager outright if HID bulbs were covered under the 3yr 36 mo warranty and he said "Yes."

Does that sound correct?

[Jiipa]

Originally Posted by NaptownPrius

I asked their service manager outright if HID bulbs were covered under the 3yr 36 mo warranty and he said "Yes."

Does that sound correct?

I hope you asked him for that in writing.