New headlights are a major problem

When I bought my 2006 Scion new, I had the same issue. So I checked the height adjustment and they were adjusted too high. I bet you will have the same issue.

 

I love the white/bright LED headlights on my new '16 Prius Three. And now that Pete mentions it, the low beams do seem a bit higher than I was used to in my old Camry. (When stopped, the reflection bounces off the car's bumper in front of me, and kind of blinds me.) But I haven't had anybody flash me yet. I'm leaving the lights as is.

I just tried the high beams early this morning, when it was still dark... and they seem to shoot up into the trees!
Or maybe I'm just not used to the width and brightness of the LED's. Even the DRL's are nice and bright during day driving. I can clearly see them reflect off vehicles in front of me. That's great.

Why do some guys drive around with just their yellow parking lights on? I never understood why people do that. But I'm an "old guy" now. I guess I'm beyond the age of being "cool."

 

No, I took it myself in the driveway.

This is the look I get when you turn on the parking lights only. The red lighting bolts are also lit up.

That said, if I were to push the ready button -- either with my foot on the brake or with it off the brake, the DTRL would come on as well-- just as you indicated.

 

As I said earlier, if you take the car to the dealer (5k service, etc), you can ask them to change the DRLs to be off when switch turned to parking light position. Default is DRLs On in parking light position.

If you are adjusting the aim yourself, if the adjustment wheel is the same as the gen 3, you can also use an 8mm socket on the bolt on the back of the adjustment wheel. Turn the wheel clockwise to lower aim, counter clockwise to raise.

 

Just meant the round button you push to start.

Now that it is dark out, turning on the parking lights illuminates the decorative white light flange arround the yellow light.

It was probably on in my earlier daylight photo but not visible.

The round forward facing light is completely off-- so there is virtually no fowward illumination.

 

I would venture what is happening is that people where you are, are not used to the very very bright, very white color of the LED headlights.. given that most drivers cars are still using dim yellow halogen lamps in the headlights thats what they are used to seeing coming at them. It used to happen to me all the time several years ago when HID first came out, my Range Rover seemed to get flashed all the time; I would frankly doubt anything is mis-aligned. I just ignored it.. eventually, as more vehicles with LED bright white lamps get on the road, it will stop happening.

 

From a Toyota sponsored article on greencarreports.com called:
2016 Prius, Let's Shatter All Expectations

"New standard Bi-LED headlights give Prius an unforgettable face. Automatic headlight leveling keeps the beam focused on the road and helps prevent blinding drivers in oncoming vehicles."

That's the first time I've seen anything about "automatic leveling headlights." It doesn't mention which 2016 Prius model has that feature.

 

There is a setting on the touch screen that turns off DRL with the parking lights. With that option selected on my Two Eco, the light switch on the stalk is thus: Off, DRL, Parking lights without DRL, and Full Lights on. Hope that helps.

 

Some DRL's are quite dim at night and maybe they are trying to tell you that you need headlights on. Also DRL's do not include taillights which is dangerous in dim light. I never use DRL;s near dusk or dawn.

 

i've adjusted the lower beam cut off line today, its 3 inches lowered from the factory cut off line, will monitor if i still get flashes from oncoming drivers.

 

How far away from the wall was the cutoff measured at?

 

25ft from headlight lens to garage wall.

 

How high was the cutoff line at the wall, compared to the point where it leaves the headlight?

That line should should be slightly falling (or at most, level) with increasing distance in front of the car. If it rises, it is guaranteed to get into the eyes of oncoming drivers. State law may technically require a certain fall rate, to intersect the road at a certain distance, but the simplified seat-of-the-pants rule is to make sure it isn't rising.

 

nwprius, you mentioned some DRLs being quite dim at night. My '05 Camry had fairly dim DRLs. But my Gen4 Prius has nice bright daytime running LEDs.

When I use the "auto" setting, the DRLs switch over to the regular headlights at dusk, and the "Z" tail lights come on with them.

Vince, I still have not had anyone flash their lights at me. The LED headlights don't seem to bother anyone. But in my area, everyone is crazy (or drunk) so they probably don't even care!

 

Me too!!!!! I have had mine Prius for a little over a month and guaranteed, every night trip, I get at least 5 flashes!! I feel like such a jerk when I give them a quick flash-back!

 

been there than that, I can't guarantee this might work you but try adjusting your headlight aim, turning counterclockwise both bolt A and bolt B works for me, just came back from a 1100 miles trip from bay area to Hollywood,Ca, Anaheim and Palm springs, lots of night outs, and finally not a single flash...

 

I've been on this board since 2010, and I think you dost protest too much.

First: You don't want the DRL lights to come on with your parking lights? Well, boo-hoo. Seriously? This somehow ruins the experience? My eyes hurt from all the rolling. But I respect that sometimes little annoyances ruin the experience.

My 2012 Prius has a Setup menu which disables the DRL's. So you can probably do that. Also, if the DRL's are enabled, they won't come on if you have the parking brake set. So: Set brake, turn headlights Off, then turn parking lights On. No DRL's. Why is this, you ask? It's because it's illegal in California to drive with only your parking lights on, but you can drive with only the DRL's on. So your car keeps you from getting a ticket. Whine, moan...

Second, dude, people pay big bucks to get brighter headlights. They keep you safer. They are your friends. Of course it's possible that your lights are misaligned, and the dealer can check this. Most of the newer bright headlight systems have a self-leveling system, which tilts the beam down when your car isn't level. For example, if you go over a speed bump, the front of your car momentarily goes up. The headlights will tilt down, keeping them on the road and not pointing into space.

So either your headlights can be pointed down a bit, or maybe the other drivers need to deal with it. But bright headlights are good. Be happy you got them.