HID headlights suck in my 2007

GerryB · 03-05-2008, 08:25 PM

The headlights in this car suck! I totally dislike the pattern and the difference between low and high beam is almost non-existant. Am I the only one that feels this way? What a disappointment in that respect. Look like its time for some driving lights to make up for them. Otherwise I like the car a lot.

Gerry

qbee42 · 03-05-2008, 09:12 PM

The pattern difference between high and low on our HIDs are like night and day. Are you sure your lights are cycling properly?

Tom

gsatlanta · 03-05-2008, 09:32 PM

You may want to have your lights checked; my experience has been just the opposite. I have found these headlights to be brighter than headlamps in previous cars and difference between low and high beam is dramatic.

derkraut · 03-05-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsatlanta

You may want to have your lights checked; my experience has been just the opposite. I have found these headlights to be brighter than headlamps in previous cars and difference between low and high beam is dramatic.

I also drive a 2007; and I LOVE the HID lights. There's a huge difference between high and low beam on mine. You need to have the dealer check out your lights. I think there's something out of adjustment.

jsnschmasn · 03-05-2008, 10:21 PM

I have an 08 and I can definitely understand what the OP is writing about. Although I do think the low beams are really quite good, when I activate the high beams, I really expect them to illuminate the path much more than they do. So to that regard, I totally understand what you mean GerryB.

NoMoShocks · 03-05-2008, 10:29 PM

Take it in for a warrantee repair. The lighting system is complex auto leveling feature to adjust focus for load in the back. For a quick test, you can shine the lights on a wall and then step into the hatchback. The lights should momentarily rise on the wall and then adjust back to original position. IF they don't, auto leveling is not working and I would think that could effect aiming and difference between high and low beams.

The high beam HID on my 2007 are awsome and no comparison to low beam. Both do their job just as I would expect.

NoMoShocks · 03-05-2008, 10:40 PM

Here is some more details as I just went out and tested mine.

On a test wall 6 feet in front of the car, the low beam pattern is about 16 inches above the top of fog light pattern, and the high beam pattern is about 8 inches above the low beam pattern. All three patterns are very flat across the top.

On a test wall 20 feet in front of the car, top high beams pattern is 18 inches higher than top of low beam pattern.

When you load the rear bumper with 200 lbs (me) the top of either high or low beam pattern will rise about 2 inches six feet in front of the car and about 4 inches 20 feet in front of the car. Keep the big fat 200 lb weigh on the rear bumper for greater than about 5 seconds and you will see the top of either high or low beam pattern return to original position before adding weight. Remove the weight pattern moves down an equal amount. Then in about 5 seconds, again you will see either pattern return to it's original position.

If your HID lights don't test similar, take them in for warrantee repair.

03-05-2008, 08:25 PM	#1
GerryB Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	HID headlights suck in my 2007 The headlights in this car suck! I totally dislike the pattern and the difference between low and high beam is almost non-existant. Am I the only one that feels this way? What a disappointment in that respect. Look like its time for some driving lights to make up for them. Otherwise I like the car a lot. Gerry

03-05-2008, 09:12 PM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 4,795 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: HID headlights suck in my 2007 The pattern difference between high and low on our HIDs are like night and day. Are you sure your lights are cycling properly? Tom

03-05-2008, 09:32 PM	#3
gsatlanta Southern Comfort Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 21 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: HID headlights suck in my 2007 You may want to have your lights checked; my experience has been just the opposite. I have found these headlights to be brighter than headlamps in previous cars and difference between low and high beam is dramatic.

03-05-2008, 10:21 PM	#5
jsnschmasn Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO USA Posts: 9 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: HID headlights suck in my 2007 I have an 08 and I can definitely understand what the OP is writing about. Although I do think the low beams are really quite good, when I activate the high beams, I really expect them to illuminate the path much more than they do. So to that regard, I totally understand what you mean GerryB. Last edited by jsnschmasn; 03-05-2008 at 10:24 PM. Reason: bad grammar

03-05-2008, 10:29 PM	#6
NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 1,016 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: HID headlights suck in my 2007 Take it in for a warrantee repair. The lighting system is complex auto leveling feature to adjust focus for load in the back. For a quick test, you can shine the lights on a wall and then step into the hatchback. The lights should momentarily rise on the wall and then adjust back to original position. IF they don't, auto leveling is not working and I would think that could effect aiming and difference between high and low beams. The high beam HID on my 2007 are awsome and no comparison to low beam. Both do their job just as I would expect. __________________ Lightning Green McQueen, and owner Larry 2007 Pkg 5, Jan 2007 with modifications: Toyota Mudguards Feb 2007 LED Signal mirrors March 2007 Wheelskins Leather Steering Wheel March 2007 ScanGuage II, March 2007 BT Tech Stiffening Plate, March 2007 Nokian WR 195-60R-15 tires, Nov 2007 Solar Gaurd window tint, Feb 2008 Fog Lights on idependant of headlamps, Feb 2008 BT Tech Strut Tower Brace, April, 2008

03-05-2008, 10:40 PM	#7
NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 1,016 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: HID headlights suck in my 2007 Here is some more details as I just went out and tested mine. On a test wall 6 feet in front of the car, the low beam pattern is about 16 inches above the top of fog light pattern, and the high beam pattern is about 8 inches above the low beam pattern. All three patterns are very flat across the top. On a test wall 20 feet in front of the car, top high beams pattern is 18 inches higher than top of low beam pattern. When you load the rear bumper with 200 lbs (me) the top of either high or low beam pattern will rise about 2 inches six feet in front of the car and about 4 inches 20 feet in front of the car. Keep the big fat 200 lb weigh on the rear bumper for greater than about 5 seconds and you will see the top of either high or low beam pattern return to original position before adding weight. Remove the weight pattern moves down an equal amount. Then in about 5 seconds, again you will see either pattern return to it's original position. If your HID lights don't test similar, take them in for warrantee repair.