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oddities of my 2005 prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by markrj, Apr 15, 2015.

  1. markrj

    markrj Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2014
    17
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    bought it used with 129,000 on it, very nice record on carfax and on toyota service with all recalled repairs done. driven it around 5 months now and noticed a few things. it has xenon headlights.

    my driver side headlight works fine UNLESS i turn off the lights and turn them back on immediately. when i turn the lights off and on quickly, the driver side blinks and shuts off and wont turn back on for around 10 minutes of being off. this exact issue happened when i bought the car, so i got new headlights (Super expensive), had toyota mechanic put them in and the SAME issue occurs. ballast? can i replace that only? if i turn the car on, dont touch the headlights (i just always leave them on now) they work fine. i never have issue with it because i never turn the headlights off.

    my mileage around the city, constantly starting and stopping is around 38-40. is that normal? i did have one 2.5 hour roadtrip on highways and got a consistent 55mpg the entire way so i know it can get up to that. could it be my 12v?

    driver side front wheel makes a very squeaky noise if going over uneven road, what could this be?

    are your guys lights in the visors also dead? both sides do not work in mine no matter the switch position or visor position.

    thanks!
     
    #1 markrj, Apr 15, 2015
  2. alekska

    alekska Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    435
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    Location:
    Atl
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    The worst things you can do to your HID headlights are

    1) Turn them on and then off immediately (less than a couple of minutes of running) - decreases the lifetime of HID bulb significantly.
    2) Turn them off and then on immediately - the bulbs are still hot and the starting routine (current, voltage supplied by ballast) is designed for COLD bulb. Again, this decreases the lifetime of HID bulb and ballast significantly.

    Just dont do it.

    In stop and go traffic in Atlanta, and having short trips I get ~ 40-43 mpg. I run 38psi in LRR tires.

    - Alex
     
    #2 alekska, Apr 15, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2015
  3. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
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    Location:
    Herefordshire England
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Hid headlamps not lighting when after being turned off then on again is usually due to the bulb nearing the end of it's life. However it is very bad for HID's to be turned off and back on while still hot. This dramatically shortens the life of the bulbs.
    You fuel consumption figures sound about correct.
    The noise from the front wheel could be a large number of items on the suspension, and unless you are used to working on the suspension systems of cars I would take it to your local mechanic to have it checked out. The Prius suspension is no different to most other cars.

    Possible problem areas in no particular order:-
    Top suspension mounting.
    Shock absorb-er.
    Bottom ball joint.
    Lower arm bushes.
    Sway bar bushes.
    Sway bar links.
    Track rod ends.
    Wheel bearing.
    Loose wheel.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #3 Britprius, Apr 15, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2015
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  4. roamerr

    roamerr Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2012
    135
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    Location:
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It's likely the ballast on bulb. I replaced mine - took maybe 90 min and was some modification. Has worked perfect last 2 years.

    My daughter avgs 40mpg in the 2005 Prius. I got 45.


    iPhone ?
     
    #4 roamerr, Apr 16, 2015
  5. Vinnie_febs

    Vinnie_febs Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2015
    44
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    Location:
    DC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Have you open the mirror shades? When you flip the visors, slide the shades open exposing the mirrors. Lights will not come on unless you slide the shades open.
     
    #5 Vinnie_febs, Apr 19, 2015
  6. Bob the Builder

    Bob the Builder Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2011
    26
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    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I get better MPG around town than on the road. My wife gets 46 I get over 50. After changing small battery the mileage went up. Look up how to check battery on here for tips on the car diagnosing it. I have a 2005 and on the last 300 mile trip to the coast we got 57 MPG. Optima now makes a battery with the right post size, it is the best battery you can get (the yellow top) for a Prius.
     
    #6 Bob the Builder, Apr 22, 2015
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