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Headlight Aiming on 2014 Prius v lowercase v not an uppercase v model 3

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Prius In the Desert, Nov 11, 2016.

  1. Prius In the Desert

    Prius In the Desert Junior Member

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    I would like to do a small adjustment in the headlight aiming; it's a bit too low right now. Looked at the headlight assembly and saw some embossed items in the black plastic, looks like "U*D" and "L*R" where "*" looks like "direction of rotation" symbol. But could not find a hole that a screwdriver could go through to make the adjustment. Photo attached - hope it's somewhat readable. Your help is greatly appreciated.
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 Prius In the Desert, Nov 11, 2016
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Look in the back of the headlight housing for a bolt head with a serrated wheel next to it. Looks like this, located at center of picture:

    1478913048067.jpg

    Turn clockwise to lower, counter clockwise to raise.
     
    #2 xliderider, Nov 11, 2016
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  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Have you checked your owner's manual?
     
    #3 xliderider, Nov 11, 2016
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  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    When you look closely at the photo xliderider supplied, you'll see the sort of funnel-shaped guides formed into the plastic, pointed right at the "serrated wheel". They are there to guide the tip of your long Phillips screwdriver down to mesh with the teeth of that wheel, so you can adjust by simply twisting a screwdriver from above, without having to reach the hex head of the bolt.

    Bear in mind the gearing effect on the twist direction: turning the screwdriver clockwise is the same as turning the bolt head counterclockwise, and vice versa.

    But yeah, look in the manual, because it should also specify what correct aim is and how to know when you've got it.

    -Chap
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Nov 12, 2016
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  5. Prius In the Desert

    Prius In the Desert Junior Member

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    Hi Chap and Xliderider, Many thanks for your response. The photo was helpful, although I have a Prius V wagon and the area around the back of the headlight housing is somewhat different. But I did find one adjustment bolt, it's horizontal, and I am not sure if this is for horizontal or vertical adjustment. Could not find a second similar bolt. Will have to do a bit of trial and error. Also, my Owner's Manual only addresses changing headlight bulbs, and does not talk to headlight adjustment. As expected, the Manual suggest going to the dealer to replace bulbs. No on that one. Again, thanks for your quick responses.
     
    #5 Prius In the Desert, Nov 12, 2016
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Both my Camry and Prius liftback only have the one vertical adjustment, no horizontal adjustment.

    When you say the one bolt you found is "horizontal", do you mean that the bolt is oriented in the front to back horizontal plane? If so, that's the bolt you want to turn to adjust the vertical height of the headlight cutoff.

    It takes an 8mm socket, or as previously mentioned, you can try a philips screwdriver to adjust.

    Hint, when turning the bolt, I count how many teeth on the wheel rotate by. Then you can check the aim and adjust accordingly by counting the increments.
     
    #6 xliderider, Nov 12, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2016
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  7. Prius In the Desert

    Prius In the Desert Junior Member

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    Yes, the bolt is in the horizontal plane. Will try to adjust tomorrow. Glad to have your input. Thanks again.
     
    #7 Prius In the Desert, Nov 12, 2016
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