manually adjust headlights

[tom1l21]

How do I manually adjust headlights? I have the auto leveling sensor, however, it is broken and my dealership won't replace it. My car always passes the headlight portion of inspection with flying colors but when I drive, it is noticeably lower than they should be. They probably aim abut 10 feet in front of the car. It sucks driving at night as I cannot see past that and routinely run into potholes. I'm getting frustrated with them and just want to do it myself. Any help would be great. Thanks!

[tom1l21]

Anybody? Its getting increasingly dangerous to drive at night when there are no lights on the road.

[jayman]

I'm not sure if the HID adjustment is the same as for halogen. I've posted in other threads the location of the adjusting star. Here is a photo, the spastic line I added



There are also threads that discuss how to take apart and clean the rear axle sensor

Hope this helps

[tom1l21]

Originally Posted by jayman

I'm not sure if the HID adjustment is the same as for halogen. I've posted in other threads the location of the adjusting star. Here is a photo, the spastic line I added



There are also threads that discuss how to take apart and clean the rear axle sensor

Hope this helps

Thanks for the photo. I did infact take a part the sensor a little while ago, the only problem was that not only was the spring rusted out, but the other part of the sensor (the gray plastic dog bone piece) was completely missing.

Where exactly is this adjusting star?
Do I have to remove the clear plastic covering over the headlights to get to it?

[jayman]

Sounds like the sensor is all corroded to hell, then. Might be able to scrounge one from a wrecked Prius, never hurts to ask

The adjusting star should be at the rear of the headlight housing. You do NOT take apart the headlights. They can be a little tight to get to. Not sure if the HID lamps have the adjusting collar in the same spot

This thread has deja vu to it. Here are other threads along the same topic

Headlights Aimed Too Low?

how does one aim headlights?

Prius Headlights angled too low?

Hope this helps

[tom1l21]

Originally Posted by jayman

Sounds like the sensor is all corroded to hell, then. Might be able to scrounge one from a wrecked Prius, never hurts to ask

The adjusting star should be at the rear of the headlight housing. You do NOT take apart the headlights. They can be a little tight to get to. Not sure if the HID lamps have the adjusting collar in the same spot

This thread has deja vu to it. Here are other threads along the same topic

Headlights Aimed Too Low?

how does one aim headlights?

Prius Headlights angled too low?

Hope this helps

Thanks jayman,

I was FIIIIIIINALLY able to find both gears and adjust the headlights. Its tough though since there isn't really anything to really set them equal like say, 20 spins from some initial point. What I did was throw a cover over one headlight, shined them onto my garage from about 15 feet away at about 3.5 feet high, mark it off with some tape, then cover that one and go adjust the other one until they both matched the same tape mark. I can't tell if I adjusted them "optimally", but it makes driving at night a world of difference.

[jayman]

Yep, that's the old fashioned way to adjust headlights, usually works well enough. Make sure they're not set too high, you'll know if folks start flashing you at night

I mean, if they flash their high beams at you. Not if they start personally flashing you. That's a different and exciting topic

[tom1l21]

Originally Posted by jayman

Yep, that's the old fashioned way to adjust headlights, usually works well enough. Make sure they're not set too high, you'll know if folks start flashing you at night

I mean, if they flash their high beams at you. Not if they start personally flashing you. That's a different and exciting topic

Yeah I went for a test run in a densely populated area as well as this really dark road by the river and no problems so far. Is there a certain height the lights should be that gives best lighting? I think mine might be a bit high but can't really tell since they've been screwed up for so long.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by tom1l21

Is there a certain height the lights should be that gives best lighting?

I looked around and came across this

http://www.coolbulbs.com/HID-VISUAL-...-PROCEDURE.pdf

Seems easy enough

But as long as you're not being flashed - by other cars that is - you should be ok