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Aiming HID headlights

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Another, Nov 28, 2021.

  1. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Any words of wisdom, instruction or caution on aiming of HID bulbs? The white control knob is easily accessible, too easy perhaps. The high beams do not seem to do much so I’m thinking the aiming is not right.
     
    #1 Another, Nov 28, 2021
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Remember that those headlights have an active auto-leveling system. That may interact/interfere with the adjustments you are trying to make.

    Because of this, I'd probably want to read up on the official aiming procedure rather than diving in.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Nov 28, 2021
  3. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Yes I’m aware of the active control but that’s is not relevant here. There are aiming control knobs in the headlights assemblies that are meant for adjustment of the pattern. Easily accessible. One direction raises the shutter, the other lowers it.

    If you have the specific procedure that is what I was looking for.
     
    #3 Another, Nov 29, 2021
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Must be in the manual I'm sure you have to be so far from a wall with lines on it at such and such and so-and-so millimeters here and there and then you turn the lights on and you aim the spot at the plus sign you've made on the wall on each side of the car from the center line corresponding to the side of the car you're aiming but I don't have the manual I would be sure it would be in the Toyota service manual which somebody here has posted up as a I don't know what PDF or some kind of file

    SM-A715F ?
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Nov 29, 2021
  5. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Thanks
    I haven’t found it.
    I’m wondering if the fact that my high beam setting doesn’t really illuminate the road much better than the low beam setting, in fact much worse than my other car’s halogen high beams, coupled with the odd power on very bight then immediate dimming of the HIDs indicates that the bulbs are misaligned. Or that the shutter kicks in too low.

    I’ve watched YouTube videos and know how to adjust them at least where the control is, but would like to know specifically what to aim the bulbs at, height and distance.

    I could do trial and error but don’t want to blind oncoming drivers in the process of figuring it out. From what I understand the dealer will charge an arm and leg for ten minutes worth of work.
     
    #5 Another, Nov 30, 2021
  6. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Old HID bulbs are a bit peculiar. I find that they aren't as "bright" as halogens BUT the whiter spectrum allows me to see details further out.

    Now for aiming- park the car on a level surface 10 feet away from a wall or garage door. Check that your HID "hi beam" shutters work correctly (ie, more light when hi beam is active). Now HID doesn't really have a "hot spot" pattern like halogens, it usually is a white blob or swath with the top cut flat. I like to have the low beam height drop about 2 inches from the headlight lens level to where it hits the wall. Old school "courtesy" is to set the left light an additional 1 or 2 inches lower. The high beam should allow several inches higher light amount on the wall- so it should be slightly above the height of the headlight lenses at 10feet.

    You also want to check at some point that the link for the level sensor on the rear suspension still moves freely and hasn't seized and broken off.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 mr_guy_mann, Nov 30, 2021
    Another likes this.
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