alex870

My wife hit someone with our 2003 430 and took out the headlights and a number of other thing on the front: $6400 billed to insurance. The body shop repaired it, but I would have sworn on my kids lives that before the accident, when the lights turned on, the lights moved down then up as part of auto leveling.

After the repair, there's definitely no auto leveling on start up and the repair center claims there isn't even a motor assembly present to perform auto leveling anyway. So, are they feeding me a line of BS or was I smoking crack and imaginined it?

I guess the main question is: did any of the the '03's come without auto leveling as standard equipment? And if some do have it and some don't, are there any telltale signs?

Milan

iTrader: (5)

I believe that all factory HIDs are required to have self leveling systems. I have an '02 and they level every time I start the car.

Brewmyown

According to a few website I searched for specs, Yes they have self leveling HID's

HDMike

From what I understand they are self leveling, I know mine are

Quipper

I don't have any extra features other than came on the base model other than a few things like heated & cooled seats, but my headlights do that, so I concur with the others that this seems to be standard.

toantran99

I thought only vehicle after 2004 has AFS headlight.

Brewmyown

According to the original brochure for a 2002 and 2003 they are auto leveling HID's

Brewmyown

Here is the link to the brochure
http://www.toyotareference.com/ssp/?...43775333176513

Swagga82

i have a 2001 and it auto levels on start up

GR6RR

OP: Maybe you need to push the AFS button?

Really, I didn't even know what the AFS button was for... until this thread pops up

RamAirRckt

My 98 GS4 is self leveling.

yoreg1911

My 03 had auto leveling and I think are standard. Gotta watch those mechanics!

alex870

Thanks to everyone. After some disassembly, I can confirm it definitely is. (Verified by finding the motor.)

Apparently the techs were confused because they didn't see a bubble level that's built into the newer models. Reportedly the 430's are a cruder system that simply go to their predetermined setting and then will lower the beam when going over a hump. Later models (LS460) self-calibrate on startup and have a larger range of control, such as aiming up when going down a steep hill.

LS400TX

My 2001 430UL have a self leveling (as my factory maintenance manual states with HIDs)

Twix

AFS headlights is a different feature to self-levelling

All LS430 regardless of the production year or intended market have self-levelling feature, while AFS I think only started from 2003/2004 onwards (on the facelift models)