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LED Headlights - other drivers

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Carl - NW Ohio, Apr 5, 2016.

  1. Carl - NW Ohio

    Carl - NW Ohio New Member

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    Twice since I've had my '16 Prius 4, I've had motorists flash their brights in the daytime at me thinking they are alerting me that I inadvertently have my brights on. In both cases, the other motorist was opposite to me at an intersection (in a turn lane), so we were face to face, which isn't all that typical. I do what I think is the right response - flash my actual brights so they understand I don't have my brights on.

    Just curious if others have had a similar experience. I'm not trying to start a debate - I like the headlights just fine. Part of me wants to smirk at the other driver and say "don't you wish your headlights were this bright" but a bigger part of me does not want to be "that guy" on the roads. If you've experienced this "it looks to me like your brights are on" experience out there, I'd be interested in hearing. Thanks!

    P.S. I have my headlights always set to "auto", so I assume the DRLs would be the mode of brightness on display on the occasions this has happened in the daytime.
     
    #1 Carl - NW Ohio, Apr 5, 2016
  2. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    I am not sure. Flashing the brights sends the wrong message, but ignoring the signal is wrong too. I think I would spin the knob and go off and back.
     
    #2 krmcg, Apr 5, 2016
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  3. Oversplode

    Oversplode Member

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    I get this a lot driving at night. I flash my brights real quick back at them, probably blinding them. I like your idea krmcg. I went from my old car having to have the brights on to see at night to blinding people with the awesome Prius headlights!


    iPhone ?
     
    #3 Oversplode, Apr 5, 2016
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there's another thread about adjusting the headlights down.
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 5, 2016
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  5. Carl - NW Ohio

    Carl - NW Ohio New Member

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    [QUOTE="krmcg, post: I think I would spin the knob and go off and back.[/QUOTE]

    That's a thought. Only thing would be that not flashing them my brights leaves them still thinking my brights are on.

    Appreciate the tip about lowering the beams. Hate to resort to that but if other drivers keep flashing at me, I might need to do that.
     
    #5 Carl - NW Ohio, Apr 5, 2016
  6. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I say who cares what they 'think'. If they aren't on, they aren't on, let them think whatever they want. Just my take, but I'm a NY'er, lol.
     
    #6 Paradox, Apr 5, 2016
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  7. Carl - NW Ohio

    Carl - NW Ohio New Member

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    LOL! Maybe I need to ask my dealer to adjust my beams to the Midwest Cultural Setting. :)
     
    #7 Carl - NW Ohio, Apr 5, 2016
  8. glennonrp

    glennonrp Active Member

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    I adjusted mine down. I felt they were too high. I haven't been flashed though.
     
    #8 glennonrp, Apr 5, 2016
  9. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    The adjustment specs. are on the internet (too lazy to look, sorry). Several owners have adjusted theirs. Stock, it seems the auto leveler keeps them at "blind the on-comers". Not sure why Toyota didn't get it right on every car.
     
    #9 David Beale, Apr 7, 2016
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just a thought:

    Maybe they're aimed correctly but very bright. So owners are resorting to adjusting them down and/or more to the shoulder side, maybe compromising their safety.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Apr 7, 2016
  11. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    I had this issue when I bought my 2006 scion XB new. I finally adjusted the headlights ever so slightly lower and that solved the problem.
     
    #11 Montgomery, Apr 7, 2016
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  12. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    #12 xliderider, Apr 7, 2016
  13. eric1234

    eric1234 Active Member

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    Are you sure there's an auto leveler?

    I know that the 2nd Gen had them for HIDs.

    I know that my 2010 III (Halogens) did *not* have them.

    I don't know about 3rd Gens with LEDs, and I don't know for sure about my Gen 4 Three.

    I did pay attention to my lights the other night, and I did not see any sort of leveling or height-compensation occurring (not that my subjective visual observation should be taken as gospel...)
     
    #13 eric1234, Apr 7, 2016
  14. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    #14 xliderider, Apr 7, 2016
  15. eric1234

    eric1234 Active Member

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    I ask this question because I'm interested to know whether or not the additional complexity of an auto level system is present on the car. The manual provides clear instructions on how to change the level.

    Thanks.
     
    #15 eric1234, Apr 7, 2016
  16. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Well, you could jack up the front end of the car while in Ready Mode and see if the lowbeams adjust downward. :)
     
    #16 xliderider, Apr 7, 2016
  17. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    That's a thought. Only thing would be that not flashing them my brights leaves them still thinking my brights are on.

    Appreciate the tip about lowering the beams. Hate to resort to that but if other drivers keep flashing at me, I might need to do that.[/QUOTE]


    If your car is new, your dealer can and should do that for you without charge.
     
    #17 DonDNH, Apr 7, 2016
  18. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    By law they have auto levelers in the US and Canada. HID and LED headlamps must have auto levelers. Europe may not, last I heard. They have a knob you can turn in the cab to adjust the level. I guess our lawmakers think Europeans are much smarter than we are. ;)
    So, of course, all those aftermarket systems are illegal.
     
    #18 David Beale, Apr 7, 2016
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