How to Adjust Headlights on a 2005 Toyota Prius

The Prius features distinctive "teardrop" headlights.

The 2005 Toyota Prius was produced from 2004 to 2009, and designated Generation II. It was the first model to offer two headlight options: the standard halogen headlights, and the optional HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights. Note that the HID headlights also included fog lamps. Aiming the standard headlights is quite easy; the procedure was included in the manual for the 2004 Prius, but for reasons only known to Toyota, was not included in the 2005 manual.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Phillips screwdriver

1. • 1

     Park the Prius on a level spot, facing a flat wall 25 feet in front of the car.

   • 2

     Get into the driver's seat and shift the car to neutral.

   • 3

     Turn on the headlights, shining them on the flat wall in front of the car.

   • 4

     Bounce the car several times.

   • 5

     Raise the hood. Remove the lid on the radiator support cover.

   • 6

     Adjust the aiming screw. It has many points around it, like an upturned bottle cap. Use a Phillips screwdriver to turn the adjusting screw clockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower the light beam. The beam should be level or just a few inches below level.

Tips & Warnings

• The procedure for adjusting the headlights on Generation II Prius models is detailed in the "Do-It-Yourself Maintenance" section of the 2004 Prius manual. It is not included in the 2005 Prius manual.