Yaris Hybrid Headlights

[Towncrier]

Hi Mike, I have been to Halfords and they do not stock a bulb with this holder shape.

I have been told to buy one type and cut the holder to fit - which I have. It produces about 50% more light but 50% better than rubbish is still not good. I am actually down to having to drive slower (and by that I mean too slow) at night in country roads.

I have had my grandson in the car, 25 year old and he has asked me why I do not use the headlights instead of the dip.

On one occasion I could see a great deal better because the car on dip behind me was improving the light in front of me.

I would advise no one to buy a Yaris Hybrid until Toyota get their act together

and admit they have made a BIG mistake.

I wish I had never purchased it.

[Towncrier]

Hi ZXICE,

Thank you for the pictures they look as if they would do the job, but too be honest I cannot afford to pay that kind of money (OAP) and too be honest I cannot see why Toyota do not admit the mistake they have made. Why the hell should we have to buy a car at the price it is and have to pay out to improve the lighting. as I say in my previous post - I really regret buying it.

BUT thank you to everyone who have replied.

[zxice]

Hi Towncrier,

you're welcome! They are really bright now and definitely do the job, i think the light output is now doubled or even more.

Actually im about the same age as your grandson and i think you can imagine how i like to upgrade my car and do not mind that it cost some. Before i came across your first post i was already planning to put xenon in it but i was looking for more information about the construction of the headlights while waiting for my car to be delivered. since this car already has a projector in it, it is truly a beauty with xenon lighting.

I also agree with what you said that Toyota made mistake.. i think they didnt realized that HIR2 bulb wasnt sufficient to combine with a projector.. but they do want do give that premium look on the hybrid versions of the car. and also keep in mind that stock xenon will cost like 1000 bucks on top of the car while this aftermarket kit cost 200 bucks... For me, i am very happy that toyota had decided to put a projector in it so i could easily upgrade it to xenon without having to put a aftermarket projector myself.

If you ever decide to have a xenon kit installed as well, i am happy to provide you with contact details of the seller and also instructions how to install it.

Cheers

[Geoff Peace]

Now I have seen the photographs it would seem that the lamp lens is not clear but has a frosted, or 'bulls eye' appearance. Are all hybrids the same? or is there a rogue batch of headlights? I say this because I own a Mazda MX5 the dipped headlights have the same frosted look, but a switch to main beam leaves the dip on and two separate main beam lights illuminate but they are clear glass. I am of the opinion the headlights on the hybrid should be clear, as is my wife's 1.33 TR Yaris. Just to add, In the 50's and 60's when all cars had circular seven inch headlights the standard bulb was 45/40watt! I know cars were not quite as quick then but a car I used to service in the early sixties had the same headlight bulb and that was an Aston Martin DB4, nothing slow about that! But the headlamp alignment was part of a routine service and checked every six months. How things change.

Regards Geoff Peace.

[Towncrier]

Hi Geoff,

Yes I know what you mean about the old cars I too used to work on rally cars in the 60's and we used to put spotlights on the front of cars giving the iconic bank of lights on the front of the escort etc..

I remember the old lights very well, but remember we accepted those because we knew no better.

One of the problems seem to be the fact that there is only one bulb for the dip and main beam, when you switch the main beam on there is a flap that lifts up and it becomes the full beam. So obviously when you switch off dip the flap drops to a 45 degree angle and deflects the light downward to become the dip once again. I do not know the problem and all I can say is now that we are used to good headlights if we switch back to poor standard of light it hits you real bad. I was a driving instructor for a few years and the one thing we always said was drive at the speed according to how well you can see (at night).

Before any body picks me up on it I also mean up to the speed limit of course, taking into account other conditions as well. lol.

Thank you for your input on this Geoff.

[Towncrier]

Hi Sortjai,

I assume from your pricing $ you are in the USA, I wonder how much shipping to the UK is?

Could you please email the details were you purchased them so that I can price the item and postage?

peter@BritishTownCrier.co.uk

Peter.

[IanLorenc]

I can't wait for the clocks to go forward again, and I shan't need the headlights for another 6 months or so. Agree with Peter the Towncrier, the lights are so terrible that on unlit roads, you can barely see anything ahead...main beam is a little better. This forces you to go much slower than everyone else, then typically, you get a **** in an Audi A3 up your chuff.
Compared to the headlights on my previous car (Mk7 Fiesta) - well, it's like the difference between night and day (no pun intended).

[Towncrier]

Hi Sortjai

I think I have found the site:

Which did you get...

• 3.000K, Yellow light. Retro look color as we know from the old cars.
• 4.300K, Yellow light. Word ex-factory applied in most automobiles.
• 5000K, yellow / white light. Provides an original luxurious look.
• 6000K, White light with slight blue tint. Luxury appearance high lichopbrengst.
• 8000 K, white / blue light. Gives a modern luxury.
• 10000K, blue light. Bright blue color

[zxice]

hi peter,

I have just send you an email with details not sure if this forums allows "advertising" stores i do not own :p

Anyway i have the 6000K colour which seems to have the highest light output according to them.

also note that the store where i ordered only has the 6000K in stock. for 4300K it is 3-4 weeks and all other colours are not available at least not for HIR2 types

[FROSTYBALLS]

Colour temperature isn't the same as light output.

Lumens is the strength or intensity of the light source - the output.

Color Temperature is indicated in units called Kelvin and its value determines whether light bulbs produce warm or cold light - the higher the K rating, the bluer and colder the light appears to be.

For example, as regards headlight bulbs:

3000k HID bulbs
Lumen output: 3200 usable lumens
Purpose: 3000k bulbs are traditionally used in fog light applications and emit a bright yellow output to enhance visibility in snow, rain, and foggy weather conditions.
Special note: These bulbs are perfect for track use when used in low beam applications.

4300k HID Bulbs
Lumen output: 3200 usable lumens
Purpose: 4300k bulbs are traditionally used in headlight applications but can be used as auxiliary lights in foglight applications. The 4300k color temperature matches the white color temperature in vehicles that come with factory HID systems.
Special note: 4300k bulbs emit the maximum light output possible from HID type bulbs. Higher color temperatures emit fewer lumens.

5000k HID Bulbs
Lumen output: 3000 usable lumens
Purpose: 5000k bulbs are traditionally used in headlight applications but can be used as auxiliary lights in foglight applications. The 5000k color temperature has a very slight tint of blue and produces an LED-like white color and comparatively makes the 4300k color temperature look slightly yellow.
Special note: 5000k bulbs emit roughly the same amount of visible light as the 4300k bulbs. Higher color temperatures emit fewer visible lumens. A 5000k bulb will emit roughly 5% less visible light than a 4300k bulb.

6000k HID Bulbs
Lumen output: 2800 usable lumens
Purpose: 6000k bulbs are traditionally used in headlight applications but can be used as auxiliary lights in foglight applications. The 6k color
Special note: All color temperatures emit the same number of lumens but remember, the higher the color temperature, the darker the color produced. This progressive darkening of the light with higher color temperatures results in fewer visible lumens on a dark surface. A 6000k bulb will emit roughly 12% less visible light than a 4300k bulb.

8000k HID Bulbs
Lumen output: 2500 usable lumens
Purpose: 8000k bulbs are traditionally used in headlight applications but can be used as auxiliary lights in foglight applications.
Special note: All color temperatures emit the same number of lumens but remember, the higher the color temperature, the darker the color produced. This progressive darkening of the light with higher color temperatures results in fewer visible lumens on a dark surface. A 8000k bulb will emit roughly 20% less visible light than a 4300k bulb.

[Mike169]

Peter and Sortjai.

Not sure if i am readying your replies correctly, are you talking about changing just the bulb or the whole headlamp unit? Why i am asking this is if Sortjai you are in the USA and drive on the right your dipped beam will dip the wrong way if Peter fits them to a UK car and will instantly fail it's MOT i know this as a fact, i'm an ex. MOT tester, OR is it just an expensive bulb swop over with an expensive kit? It's all down to if you end up changing the glass at the front of the headlamp unit and maybe the rear reflector as well or is it just a bulb replacement/conversion kit. Cars that drive on the left have different lens patterns to those that drive on the right and you will be blinding oncoming traffic when you are on dipped beam if what i have written is the case as well as getting stopped by the Police. Sorry to waffle on but is is a bulb or whole headlamp replacement/conversion?

Regards Mike169

[FROSTYBALLS]

According to Sortjai's profile he is in Cambridgeshire and has a Yaris Hybrid. The Yaris Hybrid isn't sold in the US - the US equivalent to the Yaris Hybrid is the Prius C.

[Mike169]

Good morning Frostyballs, you are up late too matey!

Well you have answered my question but i am sure you can understand why i put the post about driving on the other side of the road, i am still wondering a bit though if the kit is American as it has been priced in dollars then if it is a full headlamp swop then it still won't be suitable for our roads but if it's just a bulb then it should be suitable. I think we need to hear from either Peter or Sortjai to see exactly what the conversion consists of?

Regards Mike169

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hi Mike - we usually don't go to bed til around 02.00 - 03.00. Having said that, the broadband went down about 15 minutes ago, so I'm using a tethered tablet now.

Also if the kit is an American market kit, it may not be E-marked and not legal for use in the EU.

[Mike169]

Hi Mike

You have made a very good point!

If Peter or Sortjai can post a link of what these headlamps/bulbs actually are it will be easier to advise if they are suitable or not. I recall years ago i did an MOT on an old Fiesta, the car was fine apart from 2 nice new shiny headlamps which were built for a car that obviously were designed for a car where it was meant to be driven on the right hand side of the road. I asked the girl where she got the lights from 'a boot sale' she replied thinking they would make her car better. In the end we refitted her old ones for her, not so shiny but legal and her car got it's MOT ticket, i of course just don't want to see Peter throwing good money at something which could be totally unsuitable and wondering if he may be better off fitting extra lights on the front instead wired via an extra switch so they can be turned off, legal requirement and wondering if this would be a cheaper option for him?

[Mike169]

Hi, i found this site, could be worth looking at and maybe an answer to your problem! (Hope the link works ok, if not just copy and paste it)

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/Toyota-Car-Bulbs.html

[zxice]

Hello Mike169 and Frostyballs,

allow me to clear some riddles for you :)

First, im not from the states as you might be assuming.. i was used to talking about 'bucks' because of talking with american friends. The truth is the unit cost 199 euro ~ 270 usd ~ 166 pounds.

and im from the Netherlands. But it is correct that we do drive on the other side of the road.

@ Frostyballs, my profile isnt correct because this is a UK forum and i couldnt choose anything else.. so i gave false information to be able to reply to this thread.

second, as for the confusion about the headlights..

as you already know The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is using a very exotic HIR2 bulbs.. The xenon kit i installed is nothing more than a replacement bulb.. But why kit? because xenon needs some additional power to start up (but in the end it consumes less energy) and therefore you will need a ballast. So to summarize: this kit comprises a HIR2 replacement bulb connected to a canbus unit (to prevent errors that displays broken headlight) this is connected to the ballast and in the end connected with the power cord which used to power up the halogen HIR2 bulb.

Thus this xenon kit (bulb, canbus, ballast) does not affect the fact that we drive at a different side of the road, since it does not modify the headlight compartment nor the direction of the beam.

Note that the regular Toyota Yaris and the Yaris Hybrid have totally different headlights. While regular Yaris has a H4 bulb in a reflective casing, the Yaris Hybrid has a projector lens with HIR2 bulb.

which you can see in my photos. Like i said before, toyota wanted to give the Hybrid models a more premium look by putting a projector lens in it as well as LED front lights. All i did was make use of its full potential by replacing the HIR2 bulb with a xenon one. i think it is totally worth the money i paid for. however i admit it is very expensive.. but the brand 'pilot xenon' appears to be the most reliable aftermarket xenon kits out there and it comes with 2 years warranty and the lifespan is usually more than 6 years.

Third, the cheaper option would be modify a philips ultra vision bulb to fit in the HIR2 holder.. dont know if its any better than the original HIR2 bulb..

[FROSTYBALLS]

As regards the profile it would have been more helpful to leave the location as 'Other/Non-UK' - which many others have done - rather than provide false information.

[Towncrier]

Obviously Zxice came across my post and wanted to post a reply to help me PLEASE do not have a go at him for being a good guy.

He obviously did not see the "Other/non-UK" or I am sure he would of used it.

He has not "provided false information" as you state to gain any advantage all he wanted to do was help another Toyota driver.

He has been more helpful than Toyota themselves.

So please applaud him for his good deed and I am sure you can just change his status to the "Other/non-UK".

[FROSTYBALLS]

"@ Frostyballs, my profile isnt correct because this is a UK forum and i couldnt choose anything else.. so i gave false information to be able to reply to this thread."

Quote from Zxice's post number 42. He/she can edit their own profile quite easily.

This is off-topic now.

[zxice]

Inappropriate comments removed - Moderator

[zxice]

See above

[martswain]

I believe that to legally fit xenon headlights in the UK, the system must have automatic levelling and a washer system.

I stand to be corrected.

Slightly worried myself about the projector lights as I have just ordered a Yaris Hybrid and will be changing form a Lexus CT with LED headlights, which also have levelling and washers.

[Towncrier]

I have been looking into the legal aspects as well and I think you are correct there is a certain amount of legislation, I do not know what they are at the moment.

The gentleman from the Netherlands did say that the firm he purchased them from did not sell them to the UK which made me start to wonder,

I am really confused as to why these headlights are so bad, I have had 2 Yaris models prior to this one and the lights have been fine.

I just feel that Toyota now know about the problem and should be doing something about it rather than saying "we know of no problem".

I must admit I am really confused to the whole situation, I think it is time I took it back and was more robust in my complaining. I have decided to go down the route that it is being sold "not suitable for purpose" as during the night on unlit roads I have difficulty driving safely at anything more than a 'slow' speed and that can be more dangerous sometimes than fast. I have come up behind people sometimes and suddenly the realisation they are crawling along comes as a shock.

Just for every bodies information I even went to have my eyes tested yesterday to make sure it was not me. I am also an advanced driver and ex driving instructor.

If anybody could give me advice on the best way to deal with Toyota I would be grateful.

[Devon Aygo]

I have been looking into the legal aspects as well and I think you are correct there is a certain amount of legislation, I do not know what they are at the moment.

The gentleman from the Netherlands did say that the firm he purchased them from did not sell them to the UK which made me start to wonder,

I am really confused as to why these headlights are so bad, I have had 2 Yaris models prior to this one and the lights have been fine.

I just feel that Toyota now know about the problem and should be doing something about it rather than saying "we know of no problem".

I must admit I am really confused to the whole situation, I think it is time I took it back and was more robust in my complaining. I have decided to go down the route that it is being sold "not suitable for purpose" as during the night on unlit roads I have difficulty driving safely at anything more than a 'slow' speed and that can be more dangerous sometimes than fast. I have come up behind people sometimes and suddenly the realisation they are crawling along comes as a shock.

Just for every bodies information I even went to have my eyes tested yesterday to make sure it was not me. I am also an advanced driver and ex driving instructor.

If anybody could give me advice on the best way to deal with Toyota I would be grateful.

To make a claim of "not fit for purpose" you would have to provide evidence that the lighting fails to comply with the current UK/EU legislation regarding the correct operation the headlights,

As the Yaris Hybrid has obviously passed/met all the legal requirements to gain a homologation certificate before it can be sold in the EU this may be difficult, unless a defect can be found which means the lighting system on your car fails to meet the required standards.

On a personal note I have regular access to both standard and Hybrid Yaris and I find the light output and pattern much better on the Hybrid than the non hybrid the light has more focus and is less diffuse, it is brighter and whiter with a noticeable increase in the beam length, this is all when driving on the A38 Devon expressway all unlit dual carriage way.