Content

• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

1 Level the vehicle. Start by emptying the trunk of heavy items. Then check the tire pressure - it should be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. If possible, put someone in the driver's seat. Make sure the tank is half full. Among other things, check the position of the headlight range control (if you have one): the adjuster must be in zero position.

2 Position the vehicle correctly. Find a level area and place the car with the headlights against a dark wall or garage door so that the distance between the headlights and the obstacle is 3-4 meters. Alternatively, you can use a parking lot or a flat deserted alley.

• Rock the car on all four sides a couple of times to get the shock absorbers into place.
• Make sure the suspension is level by measuring the distance from each headlamp to the ground.

3 Turn on the headlights. We are talking about the low beam: you do not need to turn on the fog lights or the high beam. Mark the position of the light spots on the wall with vertical and horizontal strips of marking tape so that you get two T's.

4 Check if the headlights are at the same height. To do this, you can use the building level by placing it between the horizontal marking lines.If they are at different heights, then measure the distance from the ground to the horizontal line below with a tape measure, and re-glue the second line so that it is level with the first. Please note that the height of the horizontal lines relative to the ground should not exceed 1m.

5 Roll back 7-8 m from the wall. Turn off the headlights, remove the trim from them and find the adjusting screws. They are usually located next to the light modules.

• Check your vehicle manual - depending on the manufacturer's requirements, the required distance may vary.
• As a rule, two screws are responsible for adjusting the headlight: the one on top is for the vertical, and the one on the side is for the horizontal.
• On some cars, the headlights are not adjusted with screws, but with bolts.

6 Change the position of the light beam by turning the screws with a screwdriver (and the bolts with a screwdriver with the corresponding head). If you turn the top screw clockwise, the spot will rise, and if you turn it counterclockwise, it will go down. By turning the side screws, the beams can be moved in the horizontal plane.

• After completing the adjustment, turn on the headlights and make sure that the light spots are on the wall slightly below the crosshairs.
• This gap ensures that the headlights do not shine too high and dazzle oncoming drivers.

7 Make sure the adjustment is correct. Take a test drive and check how the headlights are illuminated. Reconfigure according to the above steps if necessary.

Tips

• Immediately after completing the adjustment, rock the machine and check the position of the light beams on the wall again. Some manufacturers even recommend this operation in their manuals. Adjust the headlights again if necessary.
• See if miniature levels are built into the tops of the headlights. Some manufacturers in this way make it easier for owners to adjust the light. For example, many Honda and Acura vehicles are equipped with this option. If you are a happy owner of such a car, then you can do without a building level.
• It makes sense to make sure that the headlight adjustment meets at least the requirements for passing a vehicle inspection (if it is provided at all where you live).
• Check the headlight settings at least once a year, and then you will always be sure that everything is in order with the light.

Warnings

• Poorly tuned headlights pose a danger not only to you, but also to oncoming drivers, because the light beams that hit along the road are easily dazzling.
• If you find that the headlights need to be adjusted, but find it difficult to carry out it yourself, be sure to contact a mechanic with this.

What do you need

• Phillips screwdriver or driver with matching head
• Marking tape
• Roulette
• Building level (if necessary)