Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Have you noticed lately that oncoming traffic is signaling to you? Or is it noticeable that your own headlights do not properly illuminate the road in front of you? If you mainly see the bushes next to the road or if other road users keep honking at you, then your headlights are most likely not properly adjusted. Fortunately, they are easy to adjust with some measurements and a screwdriver.

To step

1. Make sure your car is level. Start by removing heavy items from the trunk of the car. Then check if your tire pressure matches the manufacturer's specifications. Ask someone to sit in the driver's seat and make sure your tank is half full. In addition, you must make sure that the headlight adjustment knob (if equipped) is set to zero.
2. Adjust the top screw or bolt to adjust the vertical field. By turning clockwise you adjust the headlights up, by turning counterclockwise you adjust them down.
   • After adjustment, turn on the headlights and observe the light pattern on the wall. The top of the brightest part should be flush with or just below the marked line.
3. Test the adjustment on the road. Drive your car for a while to check that the headlights are properly adjusted. If necessary, you can readjust by repeating the steps above.

Tips

• After adjusting the headlights, shake the car and check again on the wall or garage door. This is prescribed in some vehicle owner's manuals. Readjust if necessary.
• In the Netherlands, both the law and the MOT regulations stipulate that the fall in the light beam must be between 5 mm and 40 mm per meter.
• See if there is a small bubble level attached to the top of your headlights. Some car manufacturers confirm this to help adjust your headlights. This applies, for example, to cars of the brands Acura and Honda. This means you don't need an extra spirit level.
• Check your headlights for correct adjustment once a year.

Warnings

• If your headlights are not properly adjusted, it will not only affect you. You can blind other road users with headlights that are set too high.
• Take your car to the garage to have the headlights adjusted properly if you can't manage it yourself, especially if you know the adjustment isn't correct.

Necessities

• Phillips screwdriver or socket wrench
• Painter's tape
• Measuring tape
• Spirit level (if necessary)