1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

LED Headlamps for Prius 2?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Eco-Boi, Feb 28, 2013.

  1. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2013
    109
    30
    0
    Location:
    Syracuse, New York
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hey everyone. I just bought a 2012 Prius 2 last month (January 2013), and I was curious, the headlamps that come standard with my Prius, they are halogen right? And does that run off my battery? If so, is it possible to have LED headlamps installed instead to save on electricity? Can someone explain to me if this is a good or bad idea? And no, I would NOT attempt to alter my car at all, I would have Toyota do it for me if it's possible. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

    Joined:
    May 5, 2010
    4,591
    5,292
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Yes, it can & has been done.

    Will u benefit from it.......maybe a lil bit u won't notice any difference in ur MPG.

    Will the dealer do this mod......I highly doubt it. If ur local to me, I can do the swap for u or maybe another member that's local to u. There are even some shops that will do it but at the cost of labor, u might as well do it urself. It's a lot eaiser than u might think.

    15mins to get the bumper off & 3 bolts per headlight.
     
    Eco-Boi likes this.
  3. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2013
    109
    30
    0
    Location:
    Syracuse, New York
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Well if it won't benefit my mpg much, can I ask, are LED lights better for seeing at night or in the rain? (I have the LED DRLs on the Prius, but they aren't the brightest of course, so I dont know how bright LED headlamps will be).
     
  4. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    1,388
    351
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I have the stock LEDs on my Five. They are way better than halogen. They are better than most factory reflector HIDs, but not as good as high end projector HIDs like what come on the new Bimmer and Audis.

    Would I go through the trouble of getting them aftermarket with no washer or auto leveling, nope.
     
  5. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2012
    547
    73
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere out there
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Replacing the halogen projector headlights with the LED headlight assembly does not really warrant the cost and benefit of it. I own both vehicles with LED and non LED with an HID bulb. IMO, I like the projectors with HID bulbs better than the LED equipped vehicle when it comes to beam pattern - that's just me. Replacing the halagen 55w bulb with a 35w HID bulbs does decrease the amount of current draw. As sfv1901 stated, your MPG will not be affected.
     
    Eco-Boi likes this.
  6. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2013
    109
    30
    0
    Location:
    Syracuse, New York
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You have a 5? Does that have the solar panels on the roof? :D
     
  7. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2013
    109
    30
    0
    Location:
    Syracuse, New York
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Oh. Okay. I'm still learning. So, for instance, in a petrol only car the accessories and lights are powered by the battery most often and the battery is charged by an alternating current from the engine. How are the lights in the Prius powered? It's not the battery pack in the back of the car?
     
  8. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    1,968
    813
    0
    Location:
    L.I.- NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Solar roof isn't an option on the Five due to it's already increased weight from the 17" tires/wheels and power seat, etc.
     
  9. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2013
    109
    30
    0
    Location:
    Syracuse, New York
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Aw. Well I'm sure it's still a sweet ride. :D
     
  10. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    1,968
    813
    0
    Location:
    L.I.- NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Funny you mentioned the ride- that actual ride is more harsh on the Five due to the low profile 17" tires used. I much prefer the ride from the 15" tires used on the other (non Five) versions of the Prius.
     
  11. Eco-Boi

    Eco-Boi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2013
    109
    30
    0
    Location:
    Syracuse, New York
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    So I have the 15" tires then? What are the advantages then of the 5?
     
  12. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    1,388
    351
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    LED headlights, 17 inch tires, Nav, backup camera, radar guided cruise, camera lane keep assit, etc. No solar panel.
     
    Eco-Boi likes this.
  13. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    1,968
    813
    0
    Location:
    L.I.- NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Only if you get the Five with the AT package...
     
  14. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    1,388
    351
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    True that. When I purchased mine all Fives in stock had the ATP. Do they build any without?

    SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 ? 2
     
  15. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

    Joined:
    May 5, 2010
    4,591
    5,292
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Just for reference, here is a S2K AP1 HID projector.....I'd like to see a LED projector beat this :D

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    F8L, ny_rob and WilMent like this.
  16. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    1,968
    813
    0
    Location:
    L.I.- NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Yeah, I had a 2012 Five w/o the AT package- that I traded in for the PIP.
    I had to go out of state (to PA) to get it because the tri-state dealers only had AT Fives.
     
  17. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    1,968
    813
    0
    Location:
    L.I.- NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Damn you!
    You just love to male me spend my money don't you?
    Link please if it's available for the gen III prius :)
     
  18. css28

    css28 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    1,566
    442
    3
    Location:
    Suburban Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    All things are powered by the battery in any car. The only thing that can charge the battery (unless it's a plug in car) is the engine, somehow. In your car, the lights and accessories are powered off of the 12V battery.
    In a Prius, the MG1 motor/generator is driven by the engine and charges the high voltage traction battery pack.
    There's a device under the hood that, in turn, converts that battery voltage downward to charge the 12V battery, the way an alternator does in a normal car.
     
  19. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2012
    547
    73
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere out there
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You have to retrofit your headlights to get it. :(
     
  20. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

    Joined:
    May 5, 2010
    4,591
    5,292
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    The only way ull get that result is to retro ur headlights either by ur self or paying for I to be done