2005 Headlights - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

alangc · 10-31-2005, 11:43 AM

I would like to raise the aim on my 2005 HID headlights. I think they are adjusted to low. The dealer says they are fine. I read in the owner's manual how to adjust them, but it doesn't say which way to turn the adjustment screw. Looking down at it from the front of the car, does anyone know if it should be turned left or right?

Phantomdaz · 11-01-2005, 07:28 AM

I did mine
as you are looking from the drivers seat ( ok I know you can't adjust from there!) , the screws turn to the right

My race buddy is a master mechanic at the local Toyota dealer. He is seeing a lot of Avalon owners having their lights adjusted up, Seems to be common

alangc · 11-01-2005, 08:56 AM

Thanks, so if I am reading you correctly, if I am standing in front of the car facing the passenger compartment I turn the screw to the right.

PurpleDonkey · 11-01-2005, 03:18 PM

from the front, you would turn left.

retired00 · 11-01-2005, 04:03 PM

clockwise, counter-clockwise would sure clear this up

Thanks!

meyerweb · 12-31-2005, 11:39 PM

Shine the lights on a wall. Make a mark on the wall with pencil or a piece of tape where the low beam cutoff is. Turn the screw clockwise. If the beam goes down, turn it counterclockwise instead.

inov8 · 01-01-2006, 10:04 AM

HID lights have two 10mM adjusment screws on each side. The inner one on the Driver's side is hard to access because the battery is in the way.

Here are the instructions from the '05 Avalon repair manual:

================================================== ============
NOTICE
The final turn of the aiming screws should be made in the clockwise direction. If the screw is tightened excessively, loosen and then retighten it, so that the final turn of the
screw is in the clockwise direction.

VERTICAL AIM ADJUSTMENT

The headlight aim moves up when turning the aiming screws clockwise, and moves down when turning the aiming screws counterclockwise.

For HID headlights, both adjustment screws should be turned the identical number of turns in the same direction.
================================================== ==========

The manual does not specifically say this, but I assume turning the 2 screws by different amounts changes the left-right aim.

The drawing in the manual shows the headlight assembly as viewed from the rear. I interpret this to mean clockwise-for-up when viewed from behind the lamp, therefore counter-clockwise when viewed from the front of the car.

retired00 · 01-01-2006, 02:57 PM

??

....isn't clockwise and counterclockwise the same unless you look up from under the car? Whether you're in front of, or behind the headlamp in the engine compartment, the clock is the same from above. I had looked at adjusting mine (HID) but backed off when the first screw seemed quite hard to turn, and at the time I was not sure what the second screw on the HID accomplished (L-R or Up-Down). Thanks for the info.

meyerweb · 01-01-2006, 09:28 PM

Retired is right. As long as you're looking from the top, clockwise is clockwise, no matter where you're standing.

Bob

Bahraini_Zupra · 01-02-2006, 09:23 AM

i just raised mine but i think i over raised them lol !

osidepunker · 01-02-2006, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alangc

I would like to raise the aim on my 2005 HID headlights. I think they are adjusted to low. The dealer says they are fine. I read in the owner's manual how to adjust them, but it doesn't say which way to turn the adjustment screw. Looking down at it from the front of the car, does anyone know if it should be turned left or right?

They are aimed at that height so you don't blind oncoming drivers. Leave them alone. I have the HID lights and they are VERY bright. If they were aimed higher, they would blind oncoming drivers even more than conventional bulbs. Don't give HID's a bad rap by blinding everyone on the road.

Bahraini_Zupra · 01-02-2006, 07:02 PM

well i tested mine many times by adjusting and set it to a perfect position that wont blind anyone ! LS430 similer position !

it works like a charm

osidepunker · 01-02-2006, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bahraini_Zupra

i just raised mine but i think i over raised them lol !

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bahraini_Zupra

well i tested mine many times by adjusting and set it to a perfect position that wont blind anyone ! LS430 similer position !

it works like a charm

So how do you know whether or not you are blinding oncoming drivers? Also, here in the United States the NHTSA is currently accepting comments on whether to regulate headlight aiming (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/rulings/glare.html). This would be costly to consumers. It should be enough that manufacturers voluntarily aim them so as to not disturb oncoming drivers, but there have been multiple complaints recently. Specifically, complaints about HID's. This would be just one more test that automakers will have to go through in order to certify their vehicles, thereby increasing the cost of a new car.

Bahraini_Zupra · 01-03-2006, 12:06 AM

dude ive already did all the tests to make sure i am not blinding anybody

i drove into another car and drove in dar lightless area with incoming cars and no body dim at me cuz of the lights ! unlike my supra lights is adjusted to high causing that !

belive me theres a level that u can raise ur aim without blinding anybody

cheers

alangc · 01-03-2006, 02:20 PM

I am waiting to see if I can live with the headlights the way they are currently adjusted. After four months I am still of the opinion that they are aimed way to low and are dangerous the way they are. Forward visibility is very limited even though the lights are very bright. Come warmer weather I intend to adjust them.