Headlight Adjustment RAV 4.4

adoihcj · Apr 14, 2013

Haven't driven much at night, but when I have, I've been getting flashed by oncoming vehicles. I took a look and can't see anything that looks like an adjustment bolt/screw. Anyone have any suggestions other than to have the dealer adjust them?

One person actually pulled over to the side of the road because they were so blinded.

Veliksam · Apr 14, 2013

Look in your owners manual, should be there.

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adoihcj · Apr 14, 2013

veliksam said:
Look in your owners manual, should be there.

Sent from AutoGuide.com App

OM only shows how to replace bulbs.

Veliksam · Apr 14, 2013

Wow, that's sad! Toyota must have decided to save money by printing one less page on the 2013 manual? Anyways, I'll try and find some details online and will let you know if I find something.

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Veliksam · Apr 14, 2013

Sorry but I couldn't find any details on where the manual adjusters are located, if you were in my city I would have helped you locate them. They are probably underneath the plastic engine/radiator cover panel on top of each headlight, the panel is probably held by plastic push pins. I'll keep lookin.

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agirlcalledbob · Apr 16, 2013

That's odd. I have a noticeable "cut off" with my headlights (when the headlights shine on the car in front of me it cuts off just below their back window). I thought Toyota was genius and did it to not blind people. Guess my car is just a fluke.

adoihcj · Apr 16, 2013

agirlcalledbob said:
That's odd. I have a noticeable "cut off" with my headlights (when the headlights shine on the car in front of me it cuts off just below their back window). I thought Toyota was genius and did to not blind people. Guess my car is just a fluke.

Yes, it's noticeable. No issues from people I've been behind, just oncoming traffic. I had this happen to me when I had an Explorer, but never in the 4Runner or Venza I owned.

Zooks64 · Apr 16, 2013

agirlcalledbob said:
That's odd. I have a noticeable "cut off" with my headlights (when the headlights shine on the car in front of me it cuts off just below their back window). I thought Toyota was genius and did to not blind people. Guess my car is just a fluke.

I have a noticeable cut off as well but mine is just a tad too low. I would like them up just a bit.

mgx1020 · Apr 16, 2013

I'd take it to a dealer instead of messing with that myself, maybe they can do it for free?

Have you tested this by turning on the car and walking 10-25' in front then walking towards the car?

Even when I stand in front of my RAV the headlights aren't blinding.... now try standing in front of the Tundra

Retired Rav4 Man · Jul 28, 2013

Thought I'd resurrect this thread to see if anyone has figured out how to adjust their headlights. I'm not a big fan of 'going to the dealer' for things like this. What they usually say are things like " the lights are within factory specs" or "it's illegal to adjust your lights yourself" or some such nonsense. I agree that it should be easier to adjust your headlights, especially the passenger side for better visibility of pedestrians and cyclsts at night. I haven't done too much night driving (only had the Rav a little over 2 weeks) but when I do I'd really like to be able to see as well as I can.

Veliksam · Jul 29, 2013

I'd just like to mention that in my mom's 2012 Camry the headlights cannot be adjusted, they are aimed the way they thought was best and that's it. Maybe that's the case with the new Rav4 as well.

4ever · Jul 29, 2013

There is a small "star" adjustment cog at the back of each headlight. You can use a screwdriver to move the cogs clockwise to lower and counter-clockwise to raise the beam.

adoihcj · Jul 29, 2013

4ever said:
There is a small "star" adjustment cog at the back of each headlight. You can use a screwdriver to move the cogs clockwise to lower and counter-clockwise to raise the beam.

Is this true for the 2013? I'm getting tired of people flashing high beams at me at night. I'll look for the star adjustment tonight when I get home from work and will report back.

Retired Rav4 Man · Jul 29, 2013

I just spent 15 minutes looking for anything that resembles an adjustment for the headlights on my 2013 Rav4 XLE (Woodstock, Ontario made) and couldn't find anything that looked like it would adjust either the low or high beam.

If anyone has access to the 2013 service manual, could they check this out?

4ever · Jul 29, 2013

This video is not about a RAV but it gives you an idea of what the adjustment mechanism looks like. It is quite visible on the RAV

Retired Rav4 Man · Jul 29, 2013

4ever said:
This video is not about a RAV but it gives you an idea of what the adjustment mechanism looks like. It is quite visible on the RAV

I did see those but they were so far below the lights that I discounted them as headlight adjusters. I'll take a second look later. Thanks so much. As well, thanks for finding the video. Makes it quite clear how to adjust the lights.

I guess I was looking for the type of adjuster which older cars had which allowed you to turn a knurled knob and actually see what was happening regarding the headlight aiming process. Ah, the good old days

Retired Rav4 Man · Jul 29, 2013

I did some more searching and located the adjusters that 4ever is talking about. As well, there is a little diagram on the plastic panel above it to tell you which way to turn the adjuster. These pics are of the drivers side but the passenger side is the same.

Not sure if there is the capability to adjust left and/or right. Probably not, but, hey, I was wrong about the adjusters. So if anyone (4ever) can shed some light on this, let us know.

By the way, the adjuster is at the lower right of the 2nd pic, right beside the 2 wires (Red - White stripe)

Butts · Jul 29, 2013

Always thought the old way was the only way eh?
We've some learning to do.

qlang · Sep 22, 2013

Retired Rav4 Man said:
I did some more searching and located the adjusters that 4ever is talking about.

It is really a hex bolt with a toothed shoulder around the head. The screwdriver you use to turn the bolt engages the row of teeth from the threaded side of the bolt.

From the second picture, the adjuster bolt is shown as viewed from the side, and is about 1.5 inches just east of the cited wires

lancer5790 · Sep 22, 2013

looks like some of us didn't find it yet. stand on the driver's sidefront wheel next to the headlight. from that position look down to the headlight housing and you will see a GREYish bolt over a bottle crown-like thing on the rear of the headlight housing. that's the adjustment knob. It's easier to use no.10 socket ratchet wrench. Counter clockwise for UP and clockwise DOWN. same way on the passenger headlight

Headlight Adjustment RAV 4.4

adoihcj

Veliksam

adoihcj

Veliksam

Veliksam

agirlcalledbob

adoihcj

Zooks64

mgx1020

Retired Rav4 Man

Veliksam

4ever

adoihcj

Retired Rav4 Man

4ever

Retired Rav4 Man

Retired Rav4 Man

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