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Are 9005 bulbs inherently defective?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by qdllc, Dec 16, 2018.

  1. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    This is the second time I’ve replaced my high beam bulbs (last about 3 years). I’m still on the original low beam bulbs. Is the 9005 prone to fast burnout?
     
    #1 qdllc, Dec 16, 2018
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Not at all- they aren't much different from any other common type.

    But in many cars, the high beams have a day job as DRLs. In DRL mode they run at about half-brightness, which is a lot easier on the bulb, but it still gets used for many extra hours relative to the low-beams.

    Most bulb-life situations are related to vibration at the on-car mount point or contamination on the glass related to handling the bulb during installation.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 16, 2018
    Robert Holt likes this.
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    What he said.
     
    #3 sam spade 2, Dec 16, 2018
  4. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    I think I have replaced the high beams in my 2010 one time in the over 5 years I’ve owned the car. Then again - my HB’s almost never get turned on.
    Assuming you used dielectric grease?
     
    #4 Jimi1976, Dec 16, 2018
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    @qdllc it'd help to know where in the world you are. In Canada for example, a 2013 Prius would be using highbeams as @Leadfoot J. McCoalroller describes.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Dec 16, 2018
  6. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    I’m in southwest Virginia. Garage kept. Always use high beam when dark due to living in the country. My DRLs are LED and separate. I’d think the low beams would have burned out by now since both run when using high beams.
     
    #6 qdllc, Dec 16, 2018
    Raytheeagle likes this.
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