I've only been driving my 2017 Gen. 4 for two weeks, and I love it. However, when driving at night using low beams, I've had oncoming drivers flash their brights at me--presumably because my headlights appeared to be aimed too high. Is this possible or likely? Thanks, Joe
Me too Joe, I believe that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety marked the Gen 4 down for the headlights as they can dazzle oncoming traffic! IIHS-HLDI: Crash Testing & Highway Safety
Aim them down a little or have your dealer do it for you, it'll help with that a lot. At least on the 2016s, the manual has headlight aiming directions for Canada, saying to use a Phillips head screwdriver, but that isn't the case on US cars. Use an 8 mm socket or wrench instead.
Didn't they do something to the headlights, going into 2017? Not just re-aiming: something modified? But no recall of the 2016, sim. to the MIA mile/km switch, for example.
Believe that was just north American models were modified. ProdigyPlace will know for sure. PS. UK model and maybe European one have self leveling headlamps.
Actually, they marked down the 2016 due to glare. Apparently the headlights were modified for 2017 and received a better rating. 2016 - Excessive Glare & Poor rating 2017 - Some Glare & Acceptable rating The only time I have been flashed in my 2017 Prius was on a road that had extreme up and down sections. I regularly drive on roads with more moderate slopes with no issue. It is possible the lights are mis-aimed. The dealer should be able to deal with it under the ToyotaCare warranty.
Thanks, all. The woman who sold me the car called to follow up, and I mentioned this problem. She said I should bring the car into the dealership and they'd fix it. Of course we're in the midst of a blizzard right now, so I'll have to wait a day or so.
In a different thread, someone pointed out that US Prius models don't have auto-levelling headlamps, whilst it appears most (all?) other countries get them, which might also be a factor with glare issues on US models, especially with heavy loads in the back seat and boot.
You had to pick the negative option huh? The city I work in is known as "The City of Seven Hills" I guess the UK is too small to have hilly roads. I am located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
When I first started driving my 2016 Prius I noticed that the headlights were aimed too high (so did on-coming drivers). I asked the dealer to lower them a smidge at the 6 month maintenance review. Problem solved. JeffD
Really, I'm a heavy guy but losing weight for potential surgery. I'm under 100kg ATM and hoping to get lower and it's not easy with a hearty appetite like mine. Still my waist is mid 40"s and needs to be much narrower for my height. Country roads in Cornwall are twisty and up n down like the proverbial. You're no sooner down one than you're struggling up another they're not so high but there are lots of steep sided river valleys and tight curves to contend with. Of course, you don't see much of that in Poldark, well, not the roads anyway.
Haha! No that wasn't quite what I meant Any car that has a fully loaded trunk / boot and passengers in the back will naturally be rear heavy, hence the need for auto levelling. It would be nice to even have manual levelling at least.....
