How Do I Adjust My Car Headlights?
One evening you are out driving and it becomes dark enough that you need to turn on the headlights. But the road in front of you is not illuminating properly. Instead, the headlights are all cockeyed. Then oncoming passengers are flashing their lights at you even though the low beams are on. It might be because of where the headlights on your vehicle are aimed.
So the problem is not only a safety issue for you, but also for others driving on the road. This is a situation that you can easily fix yourself. So read on to find out how.
Why Do Headlights Go Out Of Alignment?
Why did my lights go all wonky? There can be a few contributing factors. Driving on bumpy terrain or through potholes can cause the lights to misalign. Perhaps you had a collision on the front end or even a minor fender bender, the same thing can happen.
Tools You Will Need To Adjust The Headlights
Owner’s manual
Tape: Painter tape or masking tape
Tape measure
Screwdriver or ratchet
Marker
Tape: Painter tape or masking tape
Tape measure
Screwdriver or ratchet
Marker
Steps To Adjust The Headlights
Park in front of a wall: You will want an area that allows you to park 25 feet away from a wall. Park on a flat surface. If the parking surface is uneven or inclined, you will not get an accurate reading.
Mimic the normal weight: If you normally keep heavy equipment in your vehicle, keep that weight inside while adjusting the headlights. Also, have about a half a tank of gas in the vehicle and check that the tires are properly inflated. To really mimic the weight in the car, have someone sit in the driver’s seat while adjusting.
Markings on the wall: While parked 3 feet from the wall, determine the center of your vehicle and mark it on the wall with a vertical line of tape. Find the center of each light using the small dimple located on the plastic of the headlight. Mark the center on the wall with a vertical line of tape. Using the same dimple, measure the height from the ground up on the vehicle. Measure this same distance up on the vertical tape on the wall and mark it on the tape. This will show the center of the light. Then measure 2” down on the same tape and mark. Tape a horizontal piece of tape between the two marks, just above the bottom line. The bottom of this horizontal line is where the top of the light beam pattern should be when you back up.
Back away from the wall: Measure a distance 25 feet from the wall and mark with tape. As straight as possible, keeping the center of the vehicle lined up with the center line on the wall, back away from the wall and stop when the front of the vehicle hits the tape.
Preparation: Turn on the lights on the vehicle. Locate the vertical and horizontal adjuster screws under the hood, on the headlight assembly. Refer to your owner’s manual for instructions for your particular vehicle.
Adjustments: For the horizontal line, turn the screw clockwise or counterclockwise until the top of the light hits the bottom of the horizontal tape on the wall. For the vertical line, turn the screw clockwise or counterclockwise until the light hits the center cross of the tape on the wall.
Test drive: Go out for a test drive and inspect your work. If not quite there yet, do the process again.
Mimic the normal weight: If you normally keep heavy equipment in your vehicle, keep that weight inside while adjusting the headlights. Also, have about a half a tank of gas in the vehicle and check that the tires are properly inflated. To really mimic the weight in the car, have someone sit in the driver’s seat while adjusting.
Markings on the wall: While parked 3 feet from the wall, determine the center of your vehicle and mark it on the wall with a vertical line of tape. Find the center of each light using the small dimple located on the plastic of the headlight. Mark the center on the wall with a vertical line of tape. Using the same dimple, measure the height from the ground up on the vehicle. Measure this same distance up on the vertical tape on the wall and mark it on the tape. This will show the center of the light. Then measure 2” down on the same tape and mark. Tape a horizontal piece of tape between the two marks, just above the bottom line. The bottom of this horizontal line is where the top of the light beam pattern should be when you back up.
Back away from the wall: Measure a distance 25 feet from the wall and mark with tape. As straight as possible, keeping the center of the vehicle lined up with the center line on the wall, back away from the wall and stop when the front of the vehicle hits the tape.
Preparation: Turn on the lights on the vehicle. Locate the vertical and horizontal adjuster screws under the hood, on the headlight assembly. Refer to your owner’s manual for instructions for your particular vehicle.
Adjustments: For the horizontal line, turn the screw clockwise or counterclockwise until the top of the light hits the bottom of the horizontal tape on the wall. For the vertical line, turn the screw clockwise or counterclockwise until the light hits the center cross of the tape on the wall.
Test drive: Go out for a test drive and inspect your work. If not quite there yet, do the process again.
Tips For Adjusting Your Headlights
Adjust the headlights at night when it is easier to see the lights.
If it is difficult to see the lights on the wall, cover one light to adjust and then switch.
While adjusting, don’t lean on the vehicle. The weight could move it down and mess up the light beam.
If it is difficult to see the lights on the wall, cover one light to adjust and then switch.
While adjusting, don’t lean on the vehicle. The weight could move it down and mess up the light beam.
If you are still having headlight problems or don’t want to adjust the lights yourself, our expert service staff can do it for you. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online. Our factory-certified technicians have the necessary skills to provide you with the best service for your vehicle’s maintenance needs. Since we service all makes and models, we can be your go-to service center for oil changes, tune-ups and transmission services.
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