Replacing headlight bulbs sucks - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

newhavenpatriot · 10-19-2009, 06:26 PM

I know this is really off-topic, but I'd like to say F*** YOU to Toyota for putting the fuse box RIGHT BEHIND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT in the Yaris.

Three bandages and two hours later, I finally finished replacing my headlight bulbs. And I'm not even sure if the left one is fully clipped in!

I am never doing that myself ever again.

NeilBlanchard · 10-19-2009, 07:05 PM

Hi,

The 2007 Prius with HID headlights costs $250 PER SIDE to have replaced at the dealer! They have to drop the bumper fascia -- and having the second one done at the same time DOES NOT save the labor charge. So, having both replaced costs you $500.

This adds insult to injury in that the HID bulbs blink off and on randomly, and they have to be replaced to fix the issue. Even though this is a "known issue", you still have to pay $500...

dcb · 10-19-2009, 07:06 PM

lol patriot

sorry if that wasn't supposed to be amusing

Just did the left light on schnitzel and it was a lot more difficult than it should have been.

newhavenpatriot · 10-19-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hi,

The 2007 Prius with HID headlights costs $250 PER SIDE to have replaced at the dealer! They have to drop the bumper fascia -- and having the second one done at the same time DOES NOT save the labor charge. So, having both replaced costs you $500.

This adds insult to injury in that the HID bulbs blink off and on randomly, and they have to be replaced to fix the issue. Even though this is a "known issue", you still have to pay $500...

Holy crud... at that price, I'd prefer the three band-aids on my fingers!

newhavenpatriot · 10-19-2009, 07:26 PM

Oh, and I drove down a very bumpy street and back, and the headlights are secure enough to not move around. Good enough for me. Newhavenpatriot 1, Yaris 0.

Wonderboy · 10-19-2009, 09:58 PM

I'm with you on this - I remember having to replace one of the headlights when I had my 93 corolla - why does it have to be such a huge chore? It's not even that easy in my civic. Definitely had the band aids too.

MadisonMPG · 10-19-2009, 10:14 PM

I can't remember if I have told this story here, or over at GeoForum.com. But i'll tell it again anyway.

My dad needed new headlights for his Impala, he ended up getting a pretty good deal off of eBay, 220 or so dollars. We get them installed, the were a PITA. Few weeks later we buy my Geo, he comes in after buying me some new headlights and says, "You had to have the ten dollar ones, you couldn't get the five dollar ones." I laughed for a good minute and replied, "Says the guy with the 220 dollar headlights. He had forgotten lol I went out and unscrewed like two screws and put my headlights in.

Chevy in 1993 > Chevy in 2009

Arragonis · 10-30-2009, 08:05 PM

You officially need a PhD, small hands and a 10 year career in Pole Dancing to even contemplate the operatation required to change the front, left bulb in a Volvo V70.

Somewhat strangely the bulb at an auto factors is £12. At the dealer its £7.

newhavenpatriot · 10-30-2009, 08:28 PM

Almost two weeks since I put the bulbs in, and they're still shining. I guess it doesn't really matter much if I broke one of the clips on the left bulb, since it still works.

wagonman76 · 11-02-2009, 12:35 PM

Makes me appreciate my old Pontiacs even more. Both the wagon and the van headlights can be changed with 2 thumbscrews per side. Zero tools needed.