Self-Leveling on the NON-HID's?

naterprius · 09-25-2006, 01:11 PM

Do the non-HID (halogen) headlamps auto-adjust like the HIDs? Or do they have an adjustment?

Nate

ScottY · 09-25-2006, 03:08 PM

On my 05, non-HID, there is a screw behind each headlight assembly where you can adjust the level.

Charles Suitt · 09-25-2006, 04:50 PM

Sorry naterprius

The short answer is NO. The Halogen headlights do not auto-adjust like the HID's. You can manually adjust the AIM of the headlights, but they have high/low beams like other 'ordinary' cars. I might add that the HID's high/low beams are quite different. The 'auto adjust' feature compensates for the Prius' 'attitude' as the load varies, particularly when you have passengers in the back and/or a heavy load in the luggage area. The headlight pattern for the HID's is very sharply defined along the top, so you risk blinding oncoming drivers if the lights are adjusted too high. They work through use of a sensor mechanically attached to the rear axle.

tochatihu · 09-25-2006, 05:03 PM

Non-HID Prius have manual adjustment screws as stated. But good luck trying to get at them! Remove as much plastic trim etc as possible, and bring bandaids.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-25-2006, 05:20 PM

No adjustments. Well, except the one tochatihu mentioned. Nissans have manual adjustment which only require a screwdriver and is easily accessible at the top of the headlight.

Charles Suitt · 09-28-2006, 04:05 PM

QUOTE: "Non-HID Prius have manual adjustment screws as stated. But good luck trying to get at them! Remove as much plastic trim etc as possible, and bring bandaids."

Granted, manual adjustment of the halogen headlight "aim" is a bit involved, but no great mechanical problem. If you have a Phillips screwdriver with an 8" shaft, and nestle the shaft in a provided notch several inches above and front of the adjustment "gear," it's pretty easy to adjust the "aim."

09-25-2006, 04:50 PM	#3
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Sorry naterprius The short answer is NO. The Halogen headlights do not auto-adjust like the HID's. You can manually adjust the AIM of the headlights, but they have high/low beams like other 'ordinary' cars. I might add that the HID's high/low beams are quite different. The 'auto adjust' feature compensates for the Prius' 'attitude' as the load varies, particularly when you have passengers in the back and/or a heavy load in the luggage area. The headlight pattern for the HID's is very sharply defined along the top, so you risk blinding oncoming drivers if the lights are adjusted too high. They work through use of a sensor mechanically attached to the rear axle. __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

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09-25-2006, 01:11 PM	#1
naterprius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,830 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Do the non-HID (halogen) headlamps auto-adjust like the HIDs? Or do they have an adjustment? Nate

09-25-2006, 03:08 PM	#2
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,245 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	On my 05, non-HID, there is a screw behind each headlight assembly where you can adjust the level.

09-25-2006, 05:03 PM	#4
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 1,823 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: Pioneer #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	Non-HID Prius have manual adjustment screws as stated. But good luck trying to get at them! Remove as much plastic trim etc as possible, and bring bandaids.

09-25-2006, 05:20 PM	#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	No adjustments. Well, except the one tochatihu mentioned. Nissans have manual adjustment which only require a screwdriver and is easily accessible at the top of the headlight.

09-28-2006, 04:05 PM	#6
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	QUOTE: "Non-HID Prius have manual adjustment screws as stated. But good luck trying to get at them! Remove as much plastic trim etc as possible, and bring bandaids." Granted, manual adjustment of the halogen headlight "aim" is a bit involved, but no great mechanical problem. If you have a Phillips screwdriver with an 8" shaft, and nestle the shaft in a provided notch several inches above and front of the adjustment "gear," it's pretty easy to adjust the "aim."