Blown headlight at 27 months

wileec · 11-09-2007, 11:08 AM

Is this a normal occurance with a Prius? We have a 2005 no fog lights (from whot I read that makes a difference on headlight style). Luckly we were at 35825 miles yea warentee

Dealer only would replace 1 as part of warentee (kind of makes sence) but I worry that i will be stuck with the other in a couple of months. Anyway if we would have hade to pay for it OEM bulbs were $47 and labor was $63 OMG $110 just to replace 1 light.

My questions are:

1. Is there something special about Prius lights that make the bulbs worth so much?
2. The service manager said the y hade to loosen the bumper to get the lights out. Now I looked at the knowledge base, and looked at the car it seems to me that loosening the bumper is a bit ridiculas.
3. If I choose not to go to Toyota to get a replacement bulb what is the correct one to buy. I am pretty sure it is a 9003 but is there a special one of those for Prii?
4. And if I were to not get Toyotas should I change both?

I know I am not a regular here spend most of my board time on the 4x4/ FJ boards, but thanks for all of your help.

Boo · 11-09-2007, 11:26 AM

[FULL EDIT - first post was accidentally blank]

Hi wileec,

Installing new headlight bulbs is fairly easy. It does NOT require removal or loosening of the front bumper or bumper cover. It just requires removing a panel in the front of the car underneath the hood. In my 2007 Prius Owners Manual, the instructions are in the back at pages 420-422. There is also a good Do It Yourself thread here with instructions, pictures and videos, that was started by usbseawolf2000 (with Tideland Prius), and which I've linked for you here:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=3...l=x-treme+power

I had both of my OEM bulbs replaced yesterday with Philips X-Treme Power bulbs which cost around $47, but those are special bulbs. The OEM bulbs are not special, and I think that equivalent quality bulbs would typically sell for $20 or less for two, but I have no idea what Toyota typically charges for its OEM bulbs.

I had my mechanic/body shop guy do the labor for installing both new bulbs. He charged me $25 labor.

usbseawolf2000 · 11-09-2007, 11:41 AM

That's not normal. I upgraded mine at 52k miles and the OEM bulbs were still fine.

Why not do it yourself? It would cost you about $45 plus about an hour work. Here is a link to the knowledgebase.

http://priuschat.com/How-To-Change-Headlam...ulb-t39989.html

seasalsa · 11-09-2007, 11:43 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wileec @ Nov 9 2007, 08:08 AM) [snapback]537258[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Is this a normal occurance with a Prius?

My questions are:

1. Is there something special about Prius lights that make the bulbs worth so much?
2. The service manager said the y hade to loosen the bumper to get the lights out. Now I looked at the knowledge base, and looked at the car it seems to me that loosing the bumper is a bit ridiculas.
3. If I choose not to go to Toyota to get a replacement bulb what is the correct one to buy. I am pretty sure it is a 9003 but is there a special one of those for Prii?
4. And if I were to not get Toyotas should I change both?

I know I am not a regular here spend most of my board time on the 4x4/ FJ boards, but thanks for all of your help.
[/b]

It is about normal if you use the auto off feature, my first went at about 27M and the second at 32M.
1. There is nothing specialabout them, I paid about $14 at Schucks Auto .
2. You don't have to loosen the bumper, the Owners Manual gives the directions for bulb replacement.
3. I believe 9003 is right but again the Owners Manual will tell you for sure.
4. Might be a good idea, I did'nt

I found that a small mirror is sure handy when changing the bulbs, otherwise it is all by feel.

wileec · 11-09-2007, 11:56 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wileec @ Nov 9 2007, 09:08 AM) [snapback]537258[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

2. The service manager said the y hade to loosen the bumper to get the lights out. Now I looked at the knowledge base, and looked at the car it seems to me that loosing the bumper is a bit ridiculas.

[/b]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Nov 9 2007, 09:41 AM) [snapback]537275[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

That's not normal. I upgraded mine at 52k miles and the OEM bulbs were still fine.

Why not do it yourself? It would cost you about $45 plus about an hour work. Here is a link to the knowledgebase.

http://priuschat.com/How-To-Change-Headlam...ulb-t39989.html
[/b]

No problem doing it myself looked there already. BIG question why are they $45? and is that per bulb? I almost puked when I saw that price tag.

Boo · 11-09-2007, 12:00 PM

Yes, the size/type is H4 9003 which I think is sometimes referred to simply as H4 or 9003. [EDIT - and which the Owners Manual and the DOT refer to as HB2]

The $45 bulbs usbseawolf and I have are for 2 of those special Philips X-Treme Power bulbs. OEM or OEM quality bulbs should cost $20 or less for 2.

usbseawolf2000 · 11-09-2007, 12:09 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wileec @ Nov 9 2007, 11:56 AM) [snapback]537292[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

No problem doing it myself looked there already. BIG question why are they $45? and is that per bulb? I almost puked when I saw that price tag.
[/b]

They are $45 because they are 80% brighter than OEM. The price is for a pair.

These bulbs are not regular Halogen bulbs. They used Halogen Infered Reflection technology. The bulbs reflect the infered light back into the filament and the filament burns at higher temperature. The result is whiter and more intensive visible light using the same 55 Watts!!

If you just want to go with 30% or 50% plus, Phliips Vision Plus cost only $15 to $19 a pair.

LanMan66 · 11-09-2007, 12:13 PM

This is the first car that I have owned that has HID headlights. Are these bulbs that you are talking about a replacement for standard bulbs or HID bulbs? I'm really not smart on the difference between the two yet.

Boo · 11-09-2007, 12:15 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JasonB @ Nov 9 2007, 12:13 PM) [snapback]537307[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

This is the first car that I have owned that has HID headlights. Are these bulbs that you are talking about a replacement for standard bulbs or HID bulbs? I'm really not smart on the difference between the two yet.
[/b]

We're talking about the standard halogen bulbs, not the HIDs.

LanMan66 · 11-09-2007, 12:18 PM

Ahh...ok, thanks. I like being able to really see well at night, and when I see 80% brighter than the factory bulbs, my ears naturally perk up. :P

Does anyone know if there's a similar upgrade for the HID lights or are the factory bulbs as good as it gets on the HID side?

11-09-2007, 11:26 AM	#2
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,399 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 13	[FULL EDIT - first post was accidentally blank] Hi wileec, Installing new headlight bulbs is fairly easy. It does NOT require removal or loosening of the front bumper or bumper cover. It just requires removing a panel in the front of the car underneath the hood. In my 2007 Prius Owners Manual, the instructions are in the back at pages 420-422. There is also a good Do It Yourself thread here with instructions, pictures and videos, that was started by usbseawolf2000 (with Tideland Prius), and which I've linked for you here: http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=3...l=x-treme+power I had both of my OEM bulbs replaced yesterday with Philips X-Treme Power bulbs which cost around $47, but those are special bulbs. The OEM bulbs are not special, and I think that equivalent quality bulbs would typically sell for $20 or less for two, but I have no idea what Toyota typically charges for its OEM bulbs. I had my mechanic/body shop guy do the labor for installing both new bulbs. He charged me $25 labor. __________________ Best regards, Tom 07 Pkg 2 Magnetic Gray - GY TripleTreds 195/60/15, BT Tech Stiffening Plate & Strut Tower Brace, Philips X-Treme Power Headlights 9003/H4/HB2, BumperDefender.com Bumper Guard Strips, PriusChat Body Side Moldings & Rear Bumper Protector, NoBump.com License Plate Screw Bumpers, Bumper Bully, Wheelskins Leather Steering Wheel Cover, PriusHoods.com Leather Center Console Cover, Rubber Queen Center-Hump Litter Basket, eBay Non-Slip Pads, Dalmatian Bobble Heads.

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11-09-2007, 11:08 AM	#1
wileec Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 18 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Is this a normal occurance with a Prius? We have a 2005 no fog lights (from whot I read that makes a difference on headlight style). Luckly we were at 35825 miles yea warentee Dealer only would replace 1 as part of warentee (kind of makes sence) but I worry that i will be stuck with the other in a couple of months. Anyway if we would have hade to pay for it OEM bulbs were $47 and labor was $63 OMG $110 just to replace 1 light. My questions are: 1. Is there something special about Prius lights that make the bulbs worth so much? 2. The service manager said the y hade to loosen the bumper to get the lights out. Now I looked at the knowledge base, and looked at the car it seems to me that loosening the bumper is a bit ridiculas. 3. If I choose not to go to Toyota to get a replacement bulb what is the correct one to buy. I am pretty sure it is a 9003 but is there a special one of those for Prii? 4. And if I were to not get Toyotas should I change both? I know I am not a regular here spend most of my board time on the 4x4/ FJ boards, but thanks for all of your help.

11-09-2007, 11:41 AM	#3
usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,624 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 47	That's not normal. I upgraded mine at 52k miles and the OEM bulbs were still fine. Why not do it yourself? It would cost you about $45 plus about an hour work. Here is a link to the knowledgebase. http://priuschat.com/How-To-Change-Headlam...ulb-t39989.html

11-09-2007, 12:00 PM	#6
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,399 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 13	Yes, the size/type is H4 9003 which I think is sometimes referred to simply as H4 or 9003. [EDIT - and which the Owners Manual and the DOT refer to as HB2] The $45 bulbs usbseawolf and I have are for 2 of those special Philips X-Treme Power bulbs. OEM or OEM quality bulbs should cost $20 or less for 2.

11-09-2007, 12:13 PM	#8
LanMan66 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 21 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This is the first car that I have owned that has HID headlights. Are these bulbs that you are talking about a replacement for standard bulbs or HID bulbs? I'm really not smart on the difference between the two yet.

11-09-2007, 12:18 PM	#10
LanMan66 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 21 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Ahh...ok, thanks. I like being able to really see well at night, and when I see 80% brighter than the factory bulbs, my ears naturally perk up. :P Does anyone know if there's a similar upgrade for the HID lights or are the factory bulbs as good as it gets on the HID side?