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Old 02-07-2018, 08:39 AM   #1 (permalink)
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2011 Prius Light Bulbs Burning Out

I like to run my tires at 42 lbs for more mpg, but it seems my headlight bulbs can't handle the harsher ride. I replace 2 or 3 bulbs per year. I've lost low beam, high beam, and fog light bulbs.

I've had Toyota dealership check the electrical system. Nothing found. I bought new tires a few months ago, and I left the pressure where Toyota set them, no bulb problems. Guess I could raise the pressures to 42, and see if I lose bulbs.
2011 prius

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Old 02-07-2018, 10:58 AM   #2 (permalink)
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What bulbs are you using?
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Old 02-07-2018, 12:57 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Do the lights sometimes "flicker" while driving on rough roads?
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Old 02-07-2018, 01:35 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LeanBurn View Post
What bulbs are you using?
OEM and then what Toyota replaces them with.
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Old 02-07-2018, 01:36 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Originally Posted by Old Tele man View Post
Do the lights sometimes "flicker" while driving on rough roads?
No, but there have been times when a good swift slap on the fender brought one back.
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Old 02-07-2018, 01:59 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel And The Wolf View Post
No, but there have been times when a good swift slap on the fender brought one back.
Typical causes for lamp failure are (in order):
1) Mechanical failure, ie: filament breakage.
2) Thermal failure, ie: over-heating due to too high voltage.
3) Intermittent -- ie: sudden ON/OFF -- current surges.

Sounds like there's an "intermittent" (loose connection(s)) somewhere.
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Old 02-07-2018, 02:07 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Tele man View Post
Typical causes for lamp failure are (in order):
1) Mechanical failure, ie: filament breakage.
2) Thermal failure, ie: over-heating due to too high voltage.
3) Intermittent -- ie: sudden ON/OFF -- current surges.
When a bulb goes out, and I can't slap it back on,Toyota finds filament breakage. I asked them what could be done to stop this from happening, and they suggested a different type of headlight that costs a couple of hundred for each side. Is there a plug inreplacement bulb that is less prone to breakage, and doesn't cost hundreds of dollars?
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Old 02-07-2018, 02:11 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel And The Wolf View Post
Is there a plug inreplacement bulb that is less prone to breakage, and doesn't cost hundreds of dollars?
HID. I wouldn't recommend it though unless you have a projector style headlight. Reflector style don't have a sharp cutoff point, so you end up blinding oncoming traffic.
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Old 02-07-2018, 02:42 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Sounds like I'm stuck with periodic $42 bulb replacements.
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Old 02-07-2018, 04:08 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel And The Wolf View Post
Sounds like I'm stuck with periodic $42 bulb replacements.
Who is charging $42 for a bulb? They should be like $10.

There are high durability bulbs, but they simply output less light. If you're ok with that, they will last a lot longer.

You could convert your lights to LED or HID, but to do that properly is a bit more expensive.

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