Toyota Yaris Headlights

[Timnich]

I recently purchased a 2014 Yaris Hybrid and I'm finding that the both dipped and high beam headlights are very patchy on dark roads and don't show the edges of the road at all. I've installed new 120% brighter bulbs from Halfords and although they've made the light whiter, they're no brighter and my lights still have dark areas.

Has anyone else experienced this please?

Thanks

Tim

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello Tim - welcome to Toyota Owners Club.

The HIR2 bulbs have been the subject of discussion on the Auris, Yaris and IQ forums, especially as there is no direct upgrade for them. Osram, one of the later manufacturers to produce this bulb, currently have no plans to produce an HIR2 upgrade.

Thread moved to the Yaris club.

Example topic - http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/153247-yaris-hybrid-headlights/page-2?hl=%2Btoyota+%2Byaris+%2Bheadlights#entry1306479

[Timnich]

Hi Frosty

Thanks for the quick response.

Having had Toyota's for over 15 years now, when I moved from a 59 plate Yaris TR to a 14 plate Yaris Hybrid Trend, I thought with all the new technology, the model would just keep getting better. On the main it has but these lights are rubbish and a real step backwards towards dangerous if you ask me!

It's really scary on country lanes in the dark and I'm not prepared to spend serious money on a car that limits my night time driving.

I still have the older 59 plate and there's just no comparison with the lights.

The Hybrid goes back to the local dealer on Wednesday for their assessment.

Hopefully they'll provide an answer or my ongoing relationship with Toyota could be coming to an end.

FYI

I tried the 9006ULB HB4 from Halfords - "upto 120% brighter" and I did have to alter the tabs slightly. One is very slightly to big but simple to rectify.

The light was whiter but no brighter and had the same patchy effect.

They'll be going back as well!

Signing off

Mr Grumpy

[FROSTYBALLS]

HIR2 bulbs are supposed to be around 75% brighter than standard halogen bulbs, which is why Osram and Philips aren't currently considering upgrade bulbs. So your Ring bulbs, which may be 120% brighter than standard halogen bulbs, will only be around 35% brighter than the HIR2 bulbs fitted to the Yaris, Auris, Aygo, etc.

Some owners have found these bulbs/headlights OK, others haven't.

[rrockettman]

I agree, the hybrids lights are pretty awful for country roads.

I've trawled through sites to find an upgrade and found nothing.

I've got some Cibie spots in the garage and wondering about wiring in these to come on with full beam?

Has any one found an E rated LED bulb that fits?

Russ.

[Timnich]

Thanks Frosty

That makes sense.

One step at a time and see what the dealer can do / suggest.

I'll let you know one way or the other.

Tim

[MEP's Yaris GS]

Has any one found an E rated LED bulb that fits?

Not aware of any 'E' marked LED aftermarket setups, and even if they existed, they still wouldn't be road legal technically.

[Timnich]

A final update:

Dealer said he could find anything wrong so I showed him the difference on a plain piece of card. The new lights project a good beam forward but don't have the spread. There are also lots of patches where the light just doesn't cover.

This simple test left the salesman and technical manager speechless (just for a few seconds anyway. It made me smile at the time). When they recovered and check a few other similar age cars (same results) they reverted back to the fact that know one else has complained.

I spoke to Toyota Customer Service and they stressed that the lights meet European standards so there is officially not a problem. They have however accepted that "a few" of their customers have raised concerns and so Toyota will be improving the lights in the 2016/17 range.

Until they get a lot more customers raising concerns, they are not planning to do anything more.

So I make this plea.

If anyone is having problems with the headlights in their Toyota (I'm not sure which models or in which year the problems started), please raise it with your dealer AND Toyota Customer Service: 01737 367600

Thanks everyone and good luck