How to Adjust Headlight Alignment? Quick Steps

The headlights are one of your vehicle’s key safety features. However, your headlights can become misaligned, which might be unsafe if they’re pointed at treetops instead of on the road.

Why Are My Headlights Misaligned?

Over time, the screws that set your vehicle’s headlight angle can loosen, changing where your headlights point. If the front end of your vehicle was hit in an accident, the jolt can also alter your headlights’ angle

Sometimes, it might not just be your headlight. Your vehicle’s ride height and suspension can also affect where the headlights are pointed. If your vehicle’s shock absorbers have sagged, then your headlights might point up or down depending on where the front of your vehicle is pointing. Misaligned headlights can also be caused by excess weight in your vehicle’s trunk. Try to distribute the load evenly, so that your headlights remain level.

Why Should I Adjust My Headlights?

Your headlights won’t help if they’re aimed at the wrong parts of the road. If they’re pointed at a very low angle, you might not see a critical road sign or an object in the middle of the road.

When traveling at a speed of 60 miles per hour or faster, you’ll need to see objects far ahead of you to brake on time. But if you have a misaligned headlight, then seeing faraway objects at night can be difficult. You might see obstacles late and have little to no time to react.

If your headlights are pointed at a higher angle, they might blind other drivers in the opposite lane. You’re not just depriving them of vision, you’re also putting yourself at risk.

How To Adjust Your Headlights

Adjusting your headlights isn’t that difficult, but it can be tedious. Finding the right angle might take some time, since the process is trial and error.

The caveat is that not all headlights are adjustable, and some are only adjustable on one axis, meaning up and down but not side to side. Some OEM instructions are to check for body damage and/or replace the headlamp because there is no aiming procedure.

The caveat is that not all headlights are adjustable, and some are only adjustable on one axis, meaning up and down but not side to side.

– Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Setting Up

First, you’ll need to find a perfectly vertical wall. Park your car around 10 to 25 feet away from it. You should consult your owner’s manual to verify if it indicates an appropriate distance for aligning your vehicle’s headlight. 

Various manufacturers recommend varying lengths for headlight alignment, so make sure to check your owner’s manual or online resources. Chrysler suggests aligning headlights at 33 feet, while Toyota advises 10 feet.

The surface in front of this wall also needs to be flat so that you can properly gauge your headlight’s alignment. You should remove any cargo inside your vehicle. The tires should also be inflated to their appropriate pressure, as these variables can cause your vehicle to tilt or sag.

Jolt your suspension to make sure the shock absorbers are level. You can do this by pushing down on your vehicle several times on all four corners.

Marking the Target

Turn on your headlights and park as close to the wall as possible. Find the center of your low-beam headlights. Run a length of tape horizontally and vertically across the center of the brightest part of the wall. Do this for both headlights. When you’re done, there should be two crosses indicating your headlight bulb’s height.

Make sure the two crosses are even. If not, then you should measure the distance between your headlight bulb and the ground and use this distance to dictate the vertical height of the tape.

Finding the Screws

Open your vehicle’s hood and find the headlight adjuster screws. Their locations vary from vehicle to vehicle, but they’re generally located at the back or side of the headlight assembly. On rare occasions, these screws are underneath the assembly.

Unfortunately, they’re not always marked. But they tend to stand out from the black headlight assembly since they’re usually gray or silver. Occasionally, manufacturers use bolts instead of screws.

Adjusting the Lights

Back your car away around 10 to 25 feet away from the wall, depending on the manufacturer’s suggestion. Use a tape measure to make sure you’re at the exact distance.

Turn on your headlights and block one of your headlights. You can do this by placing a towel or a piece of cardboard over a chair and placing it in front of the headlights. This will eliminate interference from the other light and allow you to focus on the one you’re adjusting.

One screw usually controls the light’s vertical angle, while another controls its horizontal angle. Verify how the screws adjust the vertical and horizontal angles by observing the light’s movement as you adjust the screws. For the ideal vertical angle, the center of the most intense part of the beam should be at or below the centerline of your horizontal tape line. For the ideal horizontal angle, the most intense part of the light should be to the right of the vertical tapeline.

You might be wondering why you’re supposed to point your lights slightly toward the right. This allows the light to still illuminate the middle of the road while preventing too much light from spilling into the opposite lane, which can blind oncoming traffic.

Take note that some manufacturers also have recommendations on where you should aim your headlights. For example, General Motors specifies that the edge of the beam should meet the horizontal centerline of the headlamp, while Toyota specifies that there should be a distance of half an inch from the edge of the beam to the horizontal centerline. Meanwhile, Chrysler allows two to six inches below the centerline, while Nissan allows little more than three and a half inches. Try to be patient, because getting the correct angle might take some trial and error.

Test Your Lights

Once you’ve realigned your headlights, take your vehicle out on the road to ensure that they’re properly set. This step is important because the headlight’s alignment might have worsened if you made an incorrect adjustment. Use your headlights on a dark road to ensure that they’re properly aligned. If they’re still not properly adjusted, repeat these steps until you achieve the correct alignment.

Where to Get Quality Replacement Headlights for your Vehicle

Your vehicle’s headlights are an important part of driving safely at night. Misaligned headlights will impact your ability to see the road ahead, making nighttime driving more risky. If you’re unable to align your headlights due to a defect after an accident or another issue, it might be time to order a new set. Thankfully, CarParts.com is here to help.

Here at CarParts.com we emphasize safety and convenience. You can order from the comfort of home with just a few clicks on our easy-to-navigate website. Checkout is also convenient and secure. We even help you order with confidence by implementing price match and lifetime replacement guarantees. Our friendly and helpful customer service team is ready to answer any questions or concerns you might have. They’re available round-the-clock to assist you.

Avoid driving with wonky headlights as much as possible. Order replacement headlights at CarParts.com today.