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Headlights seem to be lighting road up downward

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by passion222, Sep 18, 2012.

  1. passion222

    passion222 Junior Member

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    Hello. I'm
    Not sure what is up with my headlights but when I'm
    Driving I can barely see the road because the beams seem to point downward. Looking out my windshield there's like a cutoff line where I see light on bottom
    But higher up its dark. Have to put high beams on so many times to see the road. Many people mention that my lights are horrible. I've stood outside looking at them with lights in and the lights themselves don't look particularly
    Different. Just suddenly lights are almost useless. Anyone know if why this is happening? Is there a adjustment button I hit by accident or is this def a reason to call the dealer?
     
  2. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    Do you have HID headlights? If so, you just might have a problem with the headlight leveling sensor.

    If the sensor is not operating properly, the headlights will point downward.

    I know this, because Tyler knows this.
     
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    HID headlights were never a choice on the Gen 3. I wonder if the OP's user info is set right.
     
  4. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    LEDs have the self-leveling sensor too. Some have complained the LEDs are aimed too low from the factory, and the cut off is too sharp so there is too much of a contrast between light and darkness.

    I drive 16 miles every night on unlit two land country roads. My policy is, if I can't see, flip on the high beams. My previous car, a 2002 Camry, had the opposite problem. The halogen low beams were aimed too high, and there is more light above the cut off. I have been flashed by people even when only my low beams are on. I had to resolve to leaving my fog lights on so people will know those are just low beams, since fog lights will only come on with low beams.

    In summary, the beam aim on my LEDs does not bother me.
     
  5. passion222

    passion222 Junior Member

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    Cwerdna what's OP user?? Sorry I'm clueless. I'm one of those women that needs to open my manual. Lol. I did open to check out if I can find anything on the headlights and never found anything.
     
  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    OP = Original Poster. In this case, it's you. :)

    As for your info, it states that you have a 2010 Prius. The 2nd person asked if you have HID headlights, which doesn't apply to the 2010 since no 2010+ Priuses come equipped with them (standard or optional). The HID lights in 04-09 Priuses have an auto-leveling mechanism and sensor....

    I was just wondering if you have a 2010 Prius or an older one.
     
  7. passion222

    passion222 Junior Member

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    Ooooh lol I'm sorry. Gonna get this abbreviations. It's a 2010.
     
  8. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Do you have LED headlights or halogen. Do they shine white, or yellowish?
     
  9. passion222

    passion222 Junior Member

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    Hmmm looking directly at them white. From in car they look dull white almost yellow
     
  10. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    ^^^
    Which model do you have? See Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Announces Prices for 2010 Prius / Toyota. Only model V (later referred to as Five for 2011+ model years) have LED headlights w/auto-leveling and headlight washers. You'd also have 17" wheels.

    If you can't tell the wheels apart from 15" wheel design, look a the tire size.
     
  11. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    They were quite a bit cheaper back in the great recession!
     
  12. passion222

    passion222 Junior Member

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    I know I def have the 3rd gen
    Prius.
     
  13. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yes, but the models II thru IV don't have LED headlights whereas V does.
     
  14. passion222

    passion222 Junior Member

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    I was watching a thing on YouTube about the exact situation I had and he had adjustment thing but didn't show where it was. Car was exactly like mine. He did in dark and didn't show what buttons he pushed