How to adjust headlights height?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mediahound, Feb 23, 2014.

  1. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I understand this can be done with a phillips screwdriver inserted to the sprockets almost like a gear.

    My question is, does turning the driver clockwise move the light up or down?
     
    #1 mediahound, Feb 23, 2014
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I find it easier to use an 8mm socket and wrench.

    Clockwise to lower beam, CCW to raise the beam if turning the hex head with a wrench.

    It's opposite if using the screwdriver method, I believe.

    SCH-I535
     
    #2 xliderider, Feb 23, 2014
  3. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    If you use a screwdriver though, wouldn't the direction to turn the driver be opposite? This is why it seems a bit confusing.
     
    #3 mediahound, Feb 23, 2014
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Yes, I realized that and edited my post above. ;)

    SCH-I535
     
    #4 xliderider, Feb 23, 2014
  5. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Thanks I will have to keep this handy as a reference.
     
    #5 mediahound, Feb 23, 2014
  6. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    The screwdriver should be a #2 Phillips head rather than a #1 (too small) or a #3 (too large). Since it was not clear to me where exactly to insert the screwdriver, I will post pics of the screwdriver inserted into the little hole next to the toothed-edged washer on the left hand and right hand headlight adjustment mechanisms on my Prius.
    I measured my headlight height at 27 inches and aimed the light cut-off line for 25 inches high at 25 feet in front of the car. My left headlight was too high, which had caused some drivers to flash lights at me so I adjusted the left light down and the right light up slightly.
    For direction, I just turned the screwdriver one way and looked at the light's cut-off line to see which way it was moving, and if that was the wrong direction I simply rotated the screwdriver the opposite way.
    image.jpg image.jpg
     
    #6 Robert Holt, Mar 10, 2014
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  7. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    8 mm rachet socket much easier.
     
    #7 lenjack, Mar 10, 2014
  8. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    This is what I ended up using.
     
    #8 mediahound, Mar 10, 2014
  9. Jalean

    Jalean New Member

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    How do you adjust side to side? My low beams are pointed outward to the side of the road (i call them moose spotlights) and not shining on road at all. Road is pitch black but both sides of the road are clear as day
     
    #9 Jalean, Aug 18, 2015
  10. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    You can't. Sounds like your bulbs are not seated properly.
     
    #10 mediahound, Aug 18, 2015
  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    +1. If the bulbs are not seated properly, they could also melt or damage the headlight housing. If that has happened, you might need to replace your headlight housings. :(
     
    #11 xliderider, Aug 18, 2015
  12. Dealeo

    Dealeo Junior Member

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    That happened to me when I changed the bulbs. I didn't get the passenger side low beam bulb seated right and it melted the housing on my next nighttime drive. The bulb is now secured in the socket but I have an annoying long shadow arm on that side
    I could go through the trouble of removing the housing to see if I can fix it but I assume I'll just find that black plastic has melted into the reflective headlight interior. Suggestions? How much is a gen 3 headlight housing $$$
     
    #12 Dealeo, Jan 26, 2016
  13. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    They're about $250. You can find aftermarket ones but at a lower quality.

    I see you're in the Bay Area too. I had Luscious Garage in SF install mine. It only took the tech. about 30 minutes and I think they charged me around $40.
     
    #13 mediahound, Jan 26, 2016
  14. Dealeo

    Dealeo Junior Member

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    Wow that's a bummer when a slight mistake like that turns into a big cash drain. Since my bulb still snaps in I may just live w the shadow arm that it casts onto the road since it doesn't interfere with illumination of the road in regards to safety. Thanks for the quick reply
     
    #14 Dealeo, Jan 26, 2016
  15. Joseph T.

    Joseph T. New Member

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    please ! show me where is the screw to adjust headlight beam on my 2013 Plug in ?
     
    #15 Joseph T., Apr 9, 2019
  16. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Photos in post #6.
     
    #16 ChapmanF, Apr 9, 2019
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  17. Joseph T.

    Joseph T. New Member

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    Blurry. Any better photo please ?
     
    #17 Joseph T., Apr 16, 2019
  18. whitmanrf

    whitmanrf Junior Member

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    Does anyone have a photo or drawing showing from a wider view exactly where on the headlight assembly the adjustment screws are?
     
    #18 whitmanrf, Mar 20, 2020
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