Disappointed with '07 Headlights-Standard Car

dorf · 08-14-2007, 11:49 PM

The first chance I've had to drive at night and was disappointed with the headlights.

Seems to me the Lows are too low and the Highs are also too low.

Is it me ?

I'm 5'7'', seems like I need to be taller in the seat-but there is no adjustment, up and down.

It is the only complaint I can find on the car.

Anyone else feel the same ????

**Tideland Prius** · 08-14-2007, 11:58 PM

Perhaps they're adjusted too low?

Usually the complaints here are that they're too high!

The headlight adjuster is "behind" the headlights. It's a metal cap that looks like a beer bottle cap.

qbee42 · 08-15-2007, 08:52 AM

By "Standard Car" do you mean non-HID headlamps?

Tom

AOV · 08-15-2007, 09:30 AM

"standard car" probably means no package, right? If so, I have the same "standard car".
I too have an issue with the headlights, seems that the "low" setting only shines up to a certain area and drops off (hard to explain and put into words), does not shine far enough, yet the high beams, I think are just great, but...can't use them all the time. Don't drive much at night, not comfortable not being able to see what's ahead of me. Just comparing to other cars I have driven, the low setting was always good enough for me.

**Tideland Prius** · 08-15-2007, 11:42 AM

Again, you guys can adjust the headlights yourself. I did that (Cause my left beam was aiming a bit high so it could blind oncoming traffic). I told my dealer and they refused to do it claiming it was within specs. I basically said if I cause an accident because the headlights were too high, it'll be your fault. I told them to enter it in the computer database that I've mentioned that the lights were aimed high.

After a while, I got tired of worrying whether I was blinding people so I just adjusted it myself. I took less than 5 mins. I can't believe the dealer was that lazy.

tekn0wledg · 08-15-2007, 11:54 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Aug 15 2007, 11:42 AM) [snapback]496144[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

After a while, I got tired of worrying whether I was blinding people so I just adjusted it myself. I took less than 5 mins. I can't believe the dealer was that lazy.
[/b]

It shouldn't surprise you, they likely realized they weren't going to make any money fixing the issue for you since it was minor.

That's the problem with some of the maintenance shops around. The personal aspect of being good to your customers and loving the products you work on goes out the door. That's not all places, but it seems more often than not these days.

Prius2004Mass · 09-13-2007, 08:18 AM

I am aslo dissatisfied with the headlights on my car..I end up driving with my "high" beams on for most of my night driving where the streetlights are minimal. I have not had anyone "flash" their high beams at me-indicating that my lights are bothering them.
I now have a second issue-- the red triangle waring light is indicating that my headlights adjuster is not working properly. However- the light has only come on twice for a short period of time. I have read other posts suggesting that it may have something to do with cargo weight. I am now wondering if the problem with my low beams is really an adjustment issue. I am intrigued to try to adjust them myself (per previous posts)- I am sure it will be a costly visit to the local dealership to reset the warning light and replace the sensor- which is what they will probably reccommend! I have a brother that is a mechanic but he is not trained on newer vehicles- he works at a small independent garage. My vehicle is off warranty. arghhh... <_<
Do you think that it is cargo weight- sensor- reset alignment issue??

Prius2004Mass · 09-13-2007, 08:18 AM

I am aslo dissatisfied with the headlights on my car..I end up driving with my "high" beams on for most of my night driving where the streetlights are minimal. I have not had anyone "flash" their high beams at me-indicating that my lights are bothering them.
I now have a second issue-- the red triangle waring light is indicating that my headlights adjuster is not working properly. However- the light has only come on twice for a short period of time. I have read other posts suggesting that it may have something to do with cargo weight. I am now wondering if the problem with my low beams is really an adjustment issue. I am intrigued to try to adjust them myself (per previous posts)- I am sure it will be a costly visit to the local dealership to reset the warning light and replace the sensor- which is what they will probably reccommend! I have a brother that is a mechanic but he is not trained on newer vehicles- he works at a small independent garage. My vehicle is off warranty. arghhh... <_<
Do you think that it is cargo weight- sensor- reset alignment issue??

subarutoo · 09-13-2007, 03:40 PM

Should have gotten the HIDs. After driving my Prius with HIDs, my wife's Subaru Outback's lights were like driving in a dark closet with only a night light. Funny, I never noticed the difference until I got the Prius. I replaced all the Subaru bulbs with Silver Stars, cost about $50 after pep Boys rebate (2 headlights + 2 fog lights). There was a coupon in the Sunday paper (LA) for Silver Stars at Pepboys. There are other alternatives, but it made an improvement over the stock halogens, and just plug right it. I've never driven a non-HID Prius, but I can imagine.

subarutoo · 09-13-2007, 03:40 PM

Should have gotten the HIDs. After driving my Prius with HIDs, my wife's Subaru Outback's lights were like driving in a dark closet with only a night light. Funny, I never noticed the difference until I got the Prius. I replaced all the Subaru bulbs with Silver Stars, cost about $50 after pep Boys rebate (2 headlights + 2 fog lights). There was a coupon in the Sunday paper (LA) for Silver Stars at Pepboys. There are other alternatives, but it made an improvement over the stock halogens, and just plug right it. I've never driven a non-HID Prius, but I can imagine.

08-15-2007, 11:42 AM	#5
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,920 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Again, you guys can adjust the headlights yourself. I did that (Cause my left beam was aiming a bit high so it could blind oncoming traffic). I told my dealer and they refused to do it claiming it was within specs. I basically said if I cause an accident because the headlights were too high, it'll be your fault. I told them to enter it in the computer database that I've mentioned that the lights were aimed high. After a while, I got tired of worrying whether I was blinding people so I just adjusted it myself. I took less than 5 mins. I can't believe the dealer was that lazy. __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips Vision Plus 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Foglights, dash pods, leather seats, OEM rubber mats, BRABUS alum. handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

09-13-2007, 03:40 PM	#9
subarutoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 1,067 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Should have gotten the HIDs. After driving my Prius with HIDs, my wife's Subaru Outback's lights were like driving in a dark closet with only a night light. Funny, I never noticed the difference until I got the Prius. I replaced all the Subaru bulbs with Silver Stars, cost about $50 after pep Boys rebate (2 headlights + 2 fog lights). There was a coupon in the Sunday paper (LA) for Silver Stars at Pepboys. There are other alternatives, but it made an improvement over the stock halogens, and just plug right it. I've never driven a non-HID Prius, but I can imagine. __________________ Chatsworth, CA 06 Prius, White, Option 6, Visual Garage Shark Fin Antenna, BT Chassis Plate, BFG G-Force Sport 205-60 15 NO trim rings, Scangauge II. Other cars: '96 Subaru Outback, '00 Subaru Impreza RS

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08-14-2007, 11:49 PM	#1
dorf Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Little Rock Posts: 99 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The first chance I've had to drive at night and was disappointed with the headlights. Seems to me the Lows are too low and the Highs are also too low. Is it me ? I'm 5'7'', seems like I need to be taller in the seat-but there is no adjustment, up and down. It is the only complaint I can find on the car. Anyone else feel the same ????

08-14-2007, 11:58 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,920 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Perhaps they're adjusted too low? Usually the complaints here are that they're too high! The headlight adjuster is "behind" the headlights. It's a metal cap that looks like a beer bottle cap.

08-15-2007, 08:52 AM	#3
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,699 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	By "Standard Car" do you mean non-HID headlamps? Tom

08-15-2007, 09:30 AM	#4
AOV Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 303 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	"standard car" probably means no package, right? If so, I have the same "standard car". I too have an issue with the headlights, seems that the "low" setting only shines up to a certain area and drops off (hard to explain and put into words), does not shine far enough, yet the high beams, I think are just great, but...can't use them all the time. Don't drive much at night, not comfortable not being able to see what's ahead of me. Just comparing to other cars I have driven, the low setting was always good enough for me.

09-13-2007, 08:18 AM	#7
Prius2004Mass Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I am aslo dissatisfied with the headlights on my car..I end up driving with my "high" beams on for most of my night driving where the streetlights are minimal. I have not had anyone "flash" their high beams at me-indicating that my lights are bothering them. I now have a second issue-- the red triangle waring light is indicating that my headlights adjuster is not working properly. However- the light has only come on twice for a short period of time. I have read other posts suggesting that it may have something to do with cargo weight. I am now wondering if the problem with my low beams is really an adjustment issue. I am intrigued to try to adjust them myself (per previous posts)- I am sure it will be a costly visit to the local dealership to reset the warning light and replace the sensor- which is what they will probably reccommend! I have a brother that is a mechanic but he is not trained on newer vehicles- he works at a small independent garage. My vehicle is off warranty. arghhh... <_< Do you think that it is cargo weight- sensor- reset alignment issue??