For instance, installing or modding: led lights in cabin DRL led lights in the back hatch HID headlights unplugging the VPNS changing out lights for ones much brighter adding fog lights when there weren't any etc and so on and so forth... I ask because I'd love to do a bunch of these, but I'm afraid of messing up the 'balance' that Toyota built into the system, and as a result I will have poorer MPG, or the battery will charge more slowly, or there isn't enough juice to power stuff, or fuses will start to be blown, etc... I am a noob when it comes to the electrical system and Prius' systems, and thus far I haven't seen this even addressed as an issue. Rather than assume that it is not and there will be no compromises after modding, I figured I would ask. Thanks.
While all the electrical load ultimately comes from gasoline, I do not think any of the loads you are planning will have a measurable impact. HID Lights are illegal on US public roads unless they are factory units, but that does not seem to bother their owners, just everyone else on the roads. HID Kits: What You Need To Know But the many problems with aftermarket HID lighting do not include increased electrical load.
I've replaced the interior lights, license plate lights and parking lights with LED's- no problems. I've replaced the original halogen low-beams with 50 watt HID's (using a power relay harness from the fuse box)- no problems there either.
Thanks everyone. I had a chance to talk to a service advisor at my dealer today, and he confirmed that there should be no issues. I also asked if these mods would void any warranties, and he said only if the vehicle was brought in for some problem that could be traced back to the mod's presence.
Nice thing w/the HID upgrade- it's plug-n-play into the existing connections. No wire cutting, so if you ever needed to go back to stock halogens for warranty reasons you're looking at a 20min job that puts the system back to 100% factory condition.
