How to Aim Headlights on a 2005 Toyota Prius

The 2005 Toyota Prius was part of the so-called Generation II, produced from 2004 to 2009. 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 owner's manual for the 2004 Prius; but for reasons known only to Toyota, it was not included in the 2005 manual.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Phillips screwdriver
• 10 mm wrench
• Ballpoint pen
• Silicone grease
• Multimeter

1. Aiming the Halogen and HID Headlights

   • 1

     Park the Prius on a level spot, facing a flat wall 25 feet away.

   • 2

     Get into the driver's seat, turn on the lights and shift the car to neutral.

   • 3

     Shine the headlights on the wall in front of the car.

   • 4

     Raise the hood. Locate and remove the lid on the radiator support cover.

   • 5

     Adjust the aiming screw. It has the appearance of an upturned bottle cap. Use a Phillips screwdriver to turn the adjusting screw clockwise or counterclockwise. Clockwise adjusts the headlight beam up; counterclockwise adjusts the beam down. The beam should be level or just a few inches below level.

   Adjusting the HID Headlights

   • 1

     Locate the sensor behind the left rear tire. The sensor controls the auto-leveling HID headlights.

   • 2

     Remove the four bolts that hold the auto-sensing apparatus. Use a 10 mm wrench, then take the sensing unit out of the car.

   • 3

     Remove the four screws and open the sensor carefully. Three brass springs fit between the cover and the sensor on brass plates.

   • 4

     Remove the springs if they are corroded. Replace them with the springs from a click-style ballpoint pen.

   • 5

     Apply silicone grease to the rubber gasket to improve moisture resistance. Also apply it on the outside of the seam.

   • 6

     Test the continuity between the spring and the plug contacts with a multimeter if you have one. Install the reassembled sensor back into place.

Tips & Warnings

• The auto-leveling sensor is not weather-tight. The sensor can therefore fail, sometimes without a warning light on the dashboard. The best solution is to replace the sensor with the new unit with better weatherproofing.

• Toyota dealerships have headlight aimers that provide the most precise adjustment. If you have an extended warranty, have the dealership do adjustments and repairs on the HID headlights.