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Headlights-pa-looza *POOF*

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Chris Fillio, May 2, 2023.

  1. Chris Fillio

    Chris Fillio Junior Member

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    Location:
    Holly Springs NC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I have a 2007 base model Prius 255K, and for some years now it seems I am replacing the bulb in one headlight or the other every 6 mos. Is this typical and/or have others experienced this?

    ~5 years back I tried the fancy super-halogens and those went kaput quickly. The guys at the parts store said some older model cars don't have the headlight assembly constructed in such a way to support the heat generated, so I switched back to the regular Sylvania bulbs. Still I feel like I should get more than 6-12mos out of a new bulb...no?
     
  2. ColoradoCrow

    ColoradoCrow Active Member

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    Location:
    Leawood, KS
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
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    I
    t depends on how much you use them. Drive a lot at night? Many hours of use. I too have tried several and have gone back to the old Sylvania standard Halogens. We get about a year out of ours with moderate use. I buy an extra 2 pack and switch both at the same time. They are like airfilters, oil filters and wiper blades. twice a year on wipers and once a year on cabin and engine air filters for me.
     
  3. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
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    II
    Yes, Sylvania.

    Once my wife decided to use headlights 24/7 it became a yearly replace.

    Cheap enough, just a royal pain to swap them out.
     
  4. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    Location:
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    What are the roads like where the car is driven with the lights on? Rough roads tend to break headlight filaments. I recall having a headlight fail once just from going over a speed bump. OK, maybe it was going to go soon anyway, but the bump was the coup de grace.