2017 Prius v Headlight Adjustment Clarification

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by ClydeSDale, Nov 27, 2025 at 7:10 PM.

  1. ClydeSDale

    ClydeSDale Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    8
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    Location:
    North of St. Paul, MN
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    I LOVE my 2017 Prius v Four but I have had a real problem with liking the visibility of the road ahead from the headlights. IIHS rates it as "Poor" and, after more than a few years of driving it, I have to agree. After searching for help with this I finally thought I'd gotten a grip on headlight adjustment, but there was still a bit of confusion. I'd watched videos where between the bad video, vague explanations and the thick accents I gave up on that. Then there is the clockwise-counter-clockwise confusion which I hope this post will clarify.

    Adjustment is amazingly simple with a little understanding and explanation. The two photos below show the location of the adjustment on the rear of the non-LED headlight housings. These points are easily accessible.

    PXL_20251125_155103679~2.jpg PXL_20251125_155139751~2.jpg

    Below is a closer view of the adjustment often referred to as a bottle cap with a bolt head on it. If you use the 8mm bolt to adjust it you need to turn the disc (as viewed from the face of the bolt head) counter-clockwise to raise the beam, clockwise to lower it. If a phillips tip is used ( I used a #3, a #2 might be better? ) to make the adjustment the tip needs to be rotated clockwise to raise, counter-clockwise to lower the beam.
    PXL_20251125_155050477~2.jpg

    Here's the tool I used, a speed wrench with an extended #3 phillips driver tip. I thought it to be easier and faster than a wrench or a screwdriver.
    PXL_20251125_160323705.jpg

    This pdf link gave me parameters for proper adjustment:
    https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/humanfac/04148/04148.pdf (page 10) PXL_20251125_155103679~2.jpg PXL_20251125_155139751~2.jpg PXL_20251125_155050477~2.jpg PXL_20251125_155103679~2.jpg PXL_20251125_155103679~2.jpg PXL_20251125_155139751~2.jpg PXL_20251125_155050477~2.jpg PXL_20251125_160323705.jpg
    I hope to do the final adjustment tonight but it's not easy for me to find a spot that's dead level from the four wheels of the Prius to the point of measurement. Hopefully you can sort your way through this mess of messages and pictures.
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    10,109
    6,270
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    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three