Dip lights

[carmel70]

Just wondering if anyone has any solutions to why my dip lights on a 2010 Avensis are so bad ,if there any way I can get different bulbs to help ,almost impossible to drive at night 

[Heidfirst]

it will depend upon what trim you have but I suspect not one with HID .

You can get upgrade bulbs, Philips Xtreme Vision or Osram Night Breakers are usually reliable.

[UlleB]

Not much you can do about it. They kind of suck especially compared to modern LED lights. Looked a bunch into replacements and it's just not available (legally) in the EU. I'm currently running Osram Night Breaker 200 H11 +200% - they don't last long but they are a noticeable upgrade.

[TonyHSD]

If the bulbs are H4, H7 or H11 any of the upgraded options available (Philips blue or white vision , osram night breaker)  will make slight improvements. If the bulbs are HIR2 single bulb used for both dipped and high beams there is no cure. The problem with these it’s not the bulb power but how the light reflects from the unit. 

[Heidfirst]

They won't be HIR2 on a 2010 Avensis, they came with the 2015 facelift (& upgrade bulbs for those do make a difference, the best that I have found are Toyota's own ).

of course, there is also the possibility of clouded lenses in which case refurb them.

[Shavestick]

MOT rules seem to frown upon LED replacements, but I think it is a matter of the regime not catching up with technology (these are allowed in European MOT equal tests).

My 2010 Avensis has the four-bulb arrangement with H11 for dipped (Projector type) and HB3 for high-beam (Reflector type). The H11 in our car had a previous owner fitting Philips LED bulbs, and so far, the MOT has never identified this (Projector design means you can't see the bulb).

I found this by chance taking the lamp unit out for cleaning and sanding, I left it in but I don't know what the insurance company would say about this (not sure they care).

[Mojo1010]

Fitted hid to my previous car which had projectors. Passed MOT for 4 years no prob, they just check for alignment, not for light source. Halogen in projectors are diabolical, didn't feel safe in the country roads and high speed travel at night.

Have led in new car now, good when condition is dry, not so good when wet/raining due to the 6000k colour temp, 5000k is the best in between 4.3k & 6k. 

[Heidfirst]

9 hours ago, Shavestick said:

My 2010 Avensis has the four-bulb arrangement with H11 for dipped (Projector type) and HB3 for high-beam (Reflector type). The H11 in our car had a previous owner fitting Philips LED bulbs, and so far, the MOT has never identified this (Projector design means you can't see the bulb).

I found this by chance taking the lamp unit out for cleaning and sanding, I left it in but I don't know what the insurance company would say about this (not sure they care).

well, apocryphally  a guy had a claim turned down because he had changed his licence plate bulbs to LED ...

[Konrad C]

I think there are lots of factors with eyesight, light bulb technology, condition and age of both including the plastic lens. Standard head light bulbs for the Avensis T27 like mine are H11. I think my heads work fine and I clean and polish the headlights. I have replaced one of the bulbs that blew a couple of years ago. My main issue is the blinding bluish light from some headlights, especially from cars fitted with (illegal) aftermarket LED bulbs. Phones have eye protection which turns the screen to softer yellow from a harsh blue. Now headlight bulbs are going against that. Even legal bulbs can be blinding if not correctly set up!

Some owners are spoiled by the new brighter headlights. I think it masks eye health, especially as we get older. 

There was a subject on type of bulb on this forum earlier -