I was noticing the other day while driving at night that my HID lights don't seem all that bright compare to other vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, and Nissan Maxima). They look nice and do provide more light than regular Halogens, but I thought HIDs would provide more light (lumen) output on the road. I understand the various color temps for HIDs. The degree K is only the color output and the Lumens is the brightness. The higher the color temp the less light output. Does anyone know the HID color temp for the PRIUS? What do you think of the HIDs on the PRIUS? I also think the Fog Lights are worthless. <_<
The fog lights are mostly worthless. They do put out a little more side lighting which helps if you are crawling home in very, very low visibility. I look at them as a fashion accessory. The HID lights are bright. Like other high quality HID headlamps, they have very sharp cutoffs that baffle the light and keep it from blinding other drivers. The high contrast between the lighted area and the sharply defined dark areas makes it seem like you can't see very far down the road. I think it's mostly perception. As to whether I like them, yes, I do; I think they are great. Tom
I love the HID lights on the Prius, The purple tint is interesting,and I like how they make the signs on the road reflect more of the light, I can notices signs a far ways down the road now. and the fog light are mostly a fashion statement.
My take on the HID headlights... The "color" is a more brilliant blue-white light and provides a wider pattern than the halogens did on my 2004 Prius. You can see the curbs or the white "edge stripes" found on many highways better with the HIDs. They definitely provide better "driving light" than the halogens did. My only reservations: [1] I read that the brilliance gradually dimishes with hours of use, and [2] The bulbs are very expensive [>$200 each, bulb only] to replace and prudence suggests you have them replaced by a dealer's technician when necessary = more expense. Nonetheless, I'm glad to have the HIDs. I would have preferred that the "toy" foglights were controllable without the low headlight beams being "on" to use as "running lights" without burning the HIDs. The Owner's Manual also directs you to the dealer for replacement of fog light bulbs since it's a complex procedure. There was a posting a couple of weeks back on a modification to make the fog lights available independently - some DIY wiring modifications.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Feb 5 2007, 02:58 PM) [snapback]385655[/snapback]</div> I believe it is illegal in some areas to use fog lights without the main headlights. I'm not an expert, so check your local laws. Tom
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Feb 5 2007, 03:05 PM) [snapback]385660[/snapback]</div> You're probably right, but I have trouble call these lights "fog lights". The "fog lights" on my Prius basically take a parking light bulb, if I remember correctly, and with the HIDs, do nothing to help in rain or for or any other time that I can tell. Not very bright at all.
In colorado you can't have any other lights on, unless your main low beams are on,thats in cluding just the parking lights. also You are not allowed to have more that four lights illuminating the road at a time. just FYI.
The primary HID lamps work very well in rain at night. The primary lights work better than regular lights. I never use my high beams anymore--even on country roads. No lights work worth anything in thick fog. I had fog lights on Grand Am that I turned on more for show than for actual brightness.
