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Headlight range

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ayawolf, Apr 6, 2010.

  1. ayawolf

    ayawolf Prius Lover

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    Hello happy Prius owners,

    I bought a 2010 Prius IV 3 weeks ago (woohoo!). While driving in my neighborhood the other night, I realized a drawback with the headlights. When making a sharp turn in a dark area, there was not enough light to help me see the corner, making it difficult for me to gauge exactly when to turn. The horizontal range of the headlights seems to extend only slightly beyond the corners of the front of the car.

    Has anyone else noticed this? Is there anything I can do to increase that range?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 ayawolf, Apr 6, 2010
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Yup, had to adjust my headlights up quite a bit really. There is another thread on that.
     
    #2 spiderman, Apr 6, 2010
  3. ayawolf

    ayawolf Prius Lover

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    Thanks for the heads up - I did search earlier but perhaps I don't know the "magic words". What should I look for? Note: I am a complete noob when it comes to cars...
     
    #3 ayawolf, Apr 6, 2010
  4. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    #4 spiderman, Apr 6, 2010
  5. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    That's why I really like the adaptive headlights in my Lexus RX350, which pivot into a turn. Too bad the Prius doesn't offer it.
     
    #5 32kcolors, Apr 7, 2010
  6. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Note there is only a height adjustment, not a horizontal adjustment.
     
    #6 lenjack, Apr 12, 2010
  7. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Congrats to your new purchase. :)

    My 2009 has this exact same problem. No solution so far. :(
     
    #7 2009Prius, Apr 19, 2010
  8. Bob K.

    Bob K. New Member

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    I just ordered an HID conversion kit for my 2010. I hope to improve overall lighting. I got my fingers crossed.
     
    #8 Bob K., Apr 27, 2010
  9. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    They DID tell you it is not street legal anywhere in the US, didn't they?
     
    #9 JimboPalmer, Apr 27, 2010
  10. Bob K.

    Bob K. New Member

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    How can you buy a car with HIDs then if they are not legal? The Prius has a projector type housing, like cars that come stock with them. My wifes car has them.

    How will someone even know if they came on the car or not, if so many cars have them as an option? (Assuming you go white, and not blue or purple)
     
    #10 Bob K., Apr 27, 2010
  11. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Like you, the manufacturer is not allowed to share electrical connections or reflectors between the Non-HID choices they sell and the HIDs. Toyota sells no HIDs at all for the 2010, so finding a HID specific wiring harness and reflector should prove difficult.

    2004 though 2009 Prius could be legal if the owner swapped the entire housings and wiring harness off a totalled HID equipped Prius.
     
    #11 JimboPalmer, Apr 27, 2010
  12. New_Yorker

    New_Yorker New Member

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    My Prius V has excellent headlights, and the high beams are probably the longest range lights I've ever had on a car. They also 'self-level' so they can't be blinding oncoming drivers. Don't you wish every vehicle did that. The only thing about the new Prius I don't like is the badly mismatched interior colors, and the black floor mats I should demand a refund for.
     
    #12 New_Yorker, Apr 28, 2010
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