larry31

Any one know how to make adjustments to the headlights?

My Prius came through much to high.

I'd take it back to dealer but they would probably go to far and I'd have to keep going back. I would like to do this on the road until it's right.

If you tech types have a digital camera maybe you could e-mail me a pix of just where the adjustments are located.

lcp-31-38@comcast.net

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galaxee

um, you want to do it on the road and just hop in the car and check what you can see? you still may end up blinding oncoming traffic this way which is dangerous. dealerships have headlight aimers that will give you the best aim. i suggest for safety you have them do it.

if you have the HID lights they're self adjusting.

firepa63

Take it back to the dealer. As galaxee says, they have the right equipment to do the job.

tochatihu

Besides having X's on the right spot of the wall, Toyota servicers can reach into those horrible little places with sharp metal edges. Yes you can do it, but you won't enjoy it.

All I know is 01-03 Prius. If you have one of those newfangled models, it could be different.

DAS

cheallen

How to adjust the headlights on 04-06 models is discussed in the "do it yourself maintenance" section of the manual. It's simple and requires only a Phillips screw driver.

KTPhil

What year?
HID or halogen?
How new?

HIDs still need manual adjustment. They are not self-adjusting, they merely compensate for load. But if the initial (no-load) adjustment is off, so will the compensated adjustment.

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2005 Seaside Pearl, BC#6

larry31

Cheallen

I looked in the Do-It-Yourself section of my 2005 "Owners" manual and only found how to replace the various bulbs. (Pg's 305 - 309)
Are you talking about a special "Maintenance" manual? Toyota parts guy told me there are several for different parts of the Prius. Quite costly!

I did notice the detail on how to remove the plastic cover. ( Similar to the method used by Honda on their Goldwing Motorcycles.)
I may take it off and see if I can find an adjustment for headlights under there.

Thanks for answering me with something pertaining to my original question.
I go to dealers if I have to. Seems when I "trust a mechanic" I get it back with something else wrong.

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cheallen

In the 2004 Manual the headlight adjustment discussion is on page 302. The Changing Lightbulbs discussion starts on page 303. A scan of that page is attached.

Attached Images

PriusP302.jpg (264.9 KB, 1610 views)

Attached Files

PriusP302.pdf (709.3 KB, 418 views)

larry31

Cheallen

Again thanks for the info.

I'll use the pix you posted. For some reason, that only Toyota knows, they omitted that little piece of information in the 2005 manual.
My Pg. 302 has fuse and battery info. Nothing about headlight adjustment??

I really appreciate your going to the trouble to include that pix.
As soon as the trmp. goes above freezing here I'll check it out.

Larry

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http://powers31.info/PriusHybrid.htm

KTPhil

Here is some guidance for aiming. This is from a 1963 European VW Bug owners manual. The distance between headlamp centers is different for the Prius, so measure yours and adjust accordingly. The pattern is the same as the Prius, though, so this will work.

The attachment shows the pattern for the left lamp at a distance of 5 meters (16.5ft) from the wall, with the right lamp covered up. Same process for the right--align with the right cross.

A quick method is to drive up to a wall on a flat surface (like a parking lot), then back up slowly and see if the pattern dips. If you get a 2 inch drop in 15-20 feet of backing (slowly, so you don't rock the car), then you know you won't blind other drivers.

Attached Images

1963aim-2.gif (44.0 KB, 1091 views)

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2005 Seaside Pearl, BC#6