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Gen 2 Tail lights

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by nyprius, Jun 15, 2013.

  1. nyprius

    nyprius Member

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    I've always thought the tail lights on the Gen 2 Prius were too dim, and therefore posed a safety hazard. Following a Gen 2 Prius on the highway, the tail lights look dimmer than most other cars. The tail light is a small 5 watt bulb. That's suitable for an interior dome light, but probably not for a tail light.

    I wanted to replace the incandescent 2825 bulb with a brighter LED bulb that would rarely blow out.

    I read this thread and bought the recommended LED tail lights.
    LED tail light drop in replacement | PriusChat

    The 2pcs T10 2825 5-SMD WHITE LED Wedge Bulb Map Dome lights recommended in the above thread are substantially worse than the OEM incandescent bulb. I put an LED bulb on one side and the OEM incandescent bulb on the other, and then looked at the car at night. The LED bulb is about half as bright. It also provides a washed out orange color instead of the more vibrant red of the OEM bulb. The Gen 2 Prius tail lights already were too dim. These replacement LED bulbs make an unsafe situation even more unsafe.

    The above replacement LED bulbs are fine for interior dome lights. But I suggest that Gen 2 Prius owners not use them for tail lights.

    I would greatly appreciate it if someone could recommend a replacement bulb for the Gen 2 Prius, preferrably LED, that is substantially brighter than the OEM bulb. Doubling the brightness of the OEM bulb would not cause anyone to think that the brake lights were on. It would make the Prius tail lights as bright as most other tail lights, and thereby enhance safety.

    Can anyone suggest a brighter replacement bulb, perhaps 10 watt?
     
  2. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    LED lights that are red in color would make it redder, therefore, better than stock. Buy the red t10 ones that have 13 red SMD LEDs in them. That's what I use. Just buy the high-quality ones not the cheap ones as they don't last very long.
     
  3. nyprius

    nyprius Member

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    Thanks! That sounds like a great idea! Any suggestions on where I can get a good price on them?
     
  4. nyprius

    nyprius Member

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    Sorry, I didn't realize that you had provided a link to the brighter red LED bulbs. Thanks!
     
  5. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

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    no worries.. these 16smd ones might even be brighter. :)