Last Modified: 01-30-2024 6.11:8.1.0 Doc ID: RM100000002233T
Model Year Start: 2021 Model: RAV4 Prod Date Range: [08/2020 -           ]
Title: LIGHTING (EXT): HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (for Triple Beam Headlight): ADJUSTMENT; 2021 - 2024 MY RAV4 RAV4 HV [08/2020 -        ]

ADJUSTMENT

CAUTION / NOTICE / HINT

HINT:

  • Use the same procedure for the RH and LH sides.
  • The procedure listed below is for the LH side.
  • If it is not possible to correctly adjust the headlight aim, check the headlight assembly installation.

PROCEDURE

1. PREPARE VEHICLE FOR HEADLIGHT AIMING ADJUSTMENT

(a) Prepare the vehicle:

  • Make sure that there is no damage to the body around the headlights.
  • Fill the fuel tank.
  • Make sure that the oil is filled to the specified level.
  • Make sure that the coolant is filled to the specified level.
  • Inflate the tires to the appropriate pressure.
  • Unload the trunk and vehicle, ensuring that the spare tire, tools and jack are in their original positions.
  • except TMMC Made:

    Have a person of average weight (68 kg, 150 lb) sit in the driver seat.

  • TMMC Made:

    Have a person of average weight (75 kg, 165 lb) sit in the driver seat.

    Place a 20 kg weight on the center of the rear seat.

2. PREPARE FOR HEADLIGHT AIMING (Using a Headlight Aim Tester)

(a) Adjust the headlight aim in accordance with the headlight aim tester instructions.

3. PREPARE FOR HEADLIGHT AIMING (for Using a Screen)

(a) Prepare the vehicle.

  • Place the vehicle in a location that is dark enough to clearly observe the cutoff line. The cutoff line is a distinct line, below which light from the headlights can be observed and above which it cannot.

    *a

    90°

    *b

    7.62 m or 3 m (25 ft. or 9.84 ft.)
  • Place the vehicle at a 90° angle to the wall.
  • Create a 7.62 m (25 ft.) distance between the vehicle (center marks of the low beam) and the wall.

    *a

    Low Beam Center Mark
  • Make sure that the vehicle is on a level surface.
  • Position the front wheels straight ahead.
  • Bounce the vehicle up and down to settle the suspension.

NOTICE:

A distance of 7.62 m (25 ft.) between the vehicle (center marks of the low beam headlights) and the wall is necessary for proper aim adjustment. If unavailable, secure a distance of exactly 3 m (9.84 ft.) for the check and adjustment. (The target zone will change with the distance, so follow the instructions in the illustration.)

(b) Prepare a piece of thick white paper (approximately 2 m (6.56 ft.) (height) x 4 m (13.1 ft.) (width)) to use as a screen.

(c) Draw a vertical line down the center of the screen (V line).

(d) Set the screen as shown in the illustration.

HINT:

  • Stand the screen perpendicular to the ground.
  • Align the V line on the screen with the center of the vehicle.

(e) Draw base lines (H, V LH, and V RH lines) on the screen as shown in the illustration.

HINT:

  • The base lines differ for "low beam inspection" and "high beam inspection".
  • Mark the center marks of the low beam headlights on the screen.

(1) H Line (Headlight height):

Draw a horizontal line across the screen so that it passes through the center marks. The H line should be at the same height as the center marks of the low beam headlights.

(2) V LH Line and V RH Line (Center mark position of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) headlights):

Draw 2 vertical lines so that they intersect the H line at each center mark (aligned with the center marks of the low beam).

*a

V LH Line

*b

V Line

*c

V RH Line

*d

H Line

*e

Ground

4. INSPECT HEADLIGHT AIMING

(a) Cover the headlight on the opposite side to prevent light from the headlight that is not being inspected from affecting the headlight aiming.

NOTICE:

Do not keep the headlight covered for more than 3 minutes. The headlight lens is made of synthetic resin, which may melt or be damaged due to excessive heat.

HINT:

When checking the aim of the high beam headlight, cover the low beam headlight.

(b) Start the engine.

(c) Turn on the headlight and check if the cutoff line matches the preferred cutoff line in the following illustration.

HINT:

  • The low beam and high beam headlight are a unit, Adjusting the aim on the low beam to the correct position should also result in the high beam adjustment being correct.
  • If the alignment distance is 7.62 m (25 ft.):

    The low beam cutoff line should be within 101.6 mm (4.00 in.) above or below the H line as well as 101.6 mm (4.00 in.) left or right of the V LH or V RH line (SAE J599).

  • If the alignment distance is 3 m (9.84 ft.):

    The low beam cutoff line should be within 39.9 mm (1.57 in.) above or below the H line as well as 39.9 mm (1.57 in.) left or right of the V LH or V RH line (SAE J599).

(d) Turn on the high beams and check if the center of intensity for each high beam matches the preferred center of the intensity in the illustration.

HINT:

  • Since the low beam light and the high beam light are a unit, if the aim on the low beam is correct, the high beam should also be correct. However, check both beams just to make sure.
  • If the alignment distance is 7.62 m (25 ft.):

    The high beam center of intensity should be within 101.6 mm (4.00 in.) above or below the H line as well as 101.6 mm (4.00 in.) left or right of the V LH or V RH line (SAE J599).

  • If the alignment distance is 3 m (9.84 ft.):

    The high beam center of intensity should be within 39.9 mm (1.57 in.) above or below the H line as well as 39.9 mm (1.57 in.) left or right of the V LH or V RH line (SAE J599).

5. ADJUST HEADLIGHT AIMING

(a) Adjust the aim vertically:

Adjust the aim of headlight so that it is within the specified range by turning aiming screw with a screwdriver.

NOTICE:

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

HINT:

  • The low beam and high beam headlight are a unit. Adjusting the aim on the low beam to the correct position should also result in the high beam adjustment being correct.
  • If it is not possible to correctly adjust the headlight aim, check the headlight assembly installation.
  • The headlight aim moves up when turning the vertical aiming screw clockwise, and moves down when turning the vertical aiming screw counterclockwise.

*a

Vertical Aiming Screw