I just saw a new review that described the P.Prime's headlights as "auto-leveling," meaning that as you go over hills, or just high- and low-spots in the road, they keep the beam of the headlights horizontal. Is that in the US version, or is it part of the EU AHS feature? How well does it work? Lots of little tidbits of info I hadn't heard before, like this Auto-leveling feature, mentioned in passing in this review: iPhone ? Pro
Our 3rd gen with LED's has levelling system. Not sure how similar it is, but I surmise ours just deals with loading changes, say a lot of stuff in the hatch. It's heady stuff though: are you picturing an Abrams tank, headed over hiil'n dale with its barrel never wavering from horizontal?
I believe it just initially adjusts based on the weight of the load in back. I don't think it constantly adjusts to adapt to road changes. Hey - I could be wrong! I've been wrong before, and don't plan on stopping now...
That is what I thought too, adjusting for load changes only. Because it cannot know the basic overall terrain, in certain conditions a road adjusting system would produce wickedly bad results. When the terrain has a true slope, the headlights simply are not supposed to be horizontal. That would produce a too-short pattern on the uphill, and blind oncoming drivers on the downhill.
My BMW have ability to adjust for weight and it will adjust also to angle of front wheels Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
The gen2 had auto leveling for loads with the HIDs. I think other markets had a manual dial for it. Are you sure this isn't also just for loads? Wouldn't it try to point the lights down while going up a long hill otherwise, or try to light up the sky while going down?
The Gen 4 does not have auto adjusting headlights. I installed Firestone airbags to adjust the rear ride height based on load.
auto-levelling is standard on US vehicles. It has a load sensor in the rear suspension to determine if you're carrying something heavy (full load of passengers or heavy cargo).
Mine obviously failed and I was trying to find the exact location of that sensor. Checked both rear wheel wells and could not find it. Any Guidance whereabouts in rear suspension that sensor is would be appreciated. Kris
It tells me it is more hidden than I suspected. I created separate post so someone else had found it and can share how it looks like. Many Thanks Kris
Try the left rear. Look for the wiring either inside trailing arm forward of wheel or on top of upper control arm to the inside of the shock. Maybe shows in one of these pictures. How To: Install coilovers on a Prius Prime | PriusChat $200 part! One of the coilover lowering kits I looked at had an extension bracket for this part.
It seems like this would be easy to test. In the dark, turn on the head lights aimed at a wall or garage door at a distance so you can easily see the top of the beam horizontal line. Mark it with blue painters tape. Get one or two people to sit or push down on the rear cargo area and see if the head lights adjust downward.
I remember the the spring on the gen2auto leveler, and how it rusts, my prime advanced quickly adjusts the headlights when I top hills, nano second control.
I am curious about this also. Recently, we were driving on a rural road and the headlights were pointing so low, we had to turn on the high beams, just to be able to see the road ahead. We took it to the dealer and they said there is no such capability on our Prime. Would love to know more.
