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Has anyone used their headlight washers?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Joyce, Oct 7, 2012.

  1. Joyce

    Joyce Junior Member

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    Our salesman showed us the headlight washers, and we all saw how it sprayed not only the headlights, but the hood too! Then, everything was covered with soapy water that just sat there.

    Has anyone been successful with the washer?
     
  2. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    If you have your headlights on and you wash your windshield you will also wash your headlights by default, unless you pull the circuit beaker or disable via other means. I don't use mine by pressing the actual headlight washer button, but they will occasionally get used as mentioned above. I have not disabled mine some members here have.


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
  3. Joyce

    Joyce Junior Member

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    I'm getting my PIP today so I was unaware of just how it works. Thanks for the info.
     
  4. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    That is how it works on my car you PiP might be the same or slightly different, I would think the same though. Check your owners manual or just give it a try.


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
  5. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    That's not how it works for the plug-in.

    The windshield squirter is seperate from the headlights.

    Here in Minnesota during the winter, where everything gets covered in grime while you drive anyway, having that feature should prove very handy.
     
  6. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    That is why I said this after (see below). It is separate on my car also I have a button on the left side of the console for headlight washing. On my car (your PiP's may be different) if you have your headlights on and you wash your windshield by using the windshield washer on the stalk the headlight washers will also activate washing your headlights at the same time as your window.

    John,

    Have you tried to use your windshield washer with your headlights on before?
     
  7. rockfeller

    rockfeller Junior Member

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    I have not seen head light washer in my basic PiP.
     
  8. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

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    It is only on the Advanced. I have not been able to determine any actual use for the washers.
     
  9. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    They do come in handy in the snow/ice, but also while driving and you notice a large bug shaped dim in your headlamp beam pattern. I don't have them on the Prius, but on the Lexus RX they work well.

    The best system I have seen though was on a Mercedes (I think) where it had heated/steamed sprayers. That really helps with the snow ice. If I had them on the Prius, I would probably add an aftermarket conversion to electrically boil the washer fluid right before shooting it at the lens.
     
  10. brighamwj

    brighamwj Member

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    Unless they salt the heck out of your roads or your drive on unpaved often, I am not sure the purpose. Sounds like a pricey add on for an easy clean job. I am in the market for a PIP and that seemed like the least usefull advanced package feature and I have lived in MI and UT where salt is a way of life.
     
  11. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Yup, that about explains how they work(ed) on both my 2010 and current 2012 pip.
     
  12. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    For my 2010, the washers are automatically activated the first time you use the windshield wipers IF you already have the headlamps turned on.
     
  13. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Just a tidbit of information for those folks who live where there are REAL winters, salting roads is not permitted in California, even in the Sierra mountains which have serious snow. The issue is not the corrosion damage; it is an (surprise!) environmental issue.
     
  14. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    And that, unfortunately, has not changed for 2012.
     
  15. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    There hasn't been a need at night yet. And I use the driving lights rather than the headlights during the day, which don't trigger the headlight squirter.

    The lights still get very dirty, very quickly. Here in the land of glacial deposits, we use lots of sand to deal with slippery roads, not just salt.