Headlamps are an important part of any car, especially for those who drive at night. Despite being such an important utility and safety component of the vehicle, vehicle owners frequently overlook headlamp maintenance. A car’s headlamps must be properly adjusted in order for the driver to see the road ahead more clearly. Both headlamps should be adjusted equally so that they illuminate the road ahead in sync. These changes are simple for the owner to make, requiring only a few tools.
Oncoming drivers frequently flash their headlights from high to low at cars travelling in opposite directions while driving on roads, particularly highways. This is a signal that the headlamps are not properly adjusted or that the high beams are on, temporarily blinding the drivers of oncoming vehicles. In addition, if you’re driving down the road and can’t see more than 20-30 feet ahead of you, your car headlights are probably too low. If you can see the tops of trees while driving, your headlights are too bright. If you experience such problems, it’s time to adjust your car’s headlights. Here are some simple guidelines to help you adjust your car headlights.
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Park the car on level ground
First, find a level ground to shine the headlamps on a flat surface. Ensure the car is parked around six feet away from the vertical surface, the tyres are properly inflated, and the fuel tank is at least half full. Also, it is better to mimic the average weight usually carried in the vehicle. Make sure the shocks at all four wheels are levelled out. Then turn on the headlamps.
Create a centre axis on a flat wall
This can be best done at dusk or dawn. Ensure the headlamps are on a low beam. Use masking tape to mark the horizontal and vertical lines of the beam’s centre axis as it shines on the vertical flat surface. The tapes should create a cross. Now measure the difference between the headlamps. Check the lines to see if both lights have the same measurement. If they don’t match, note the difference and lower the highest centreline to the same height as the lowest centreline mark. Consult the user manual to do this properly.
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Dismantle and adjust the lamps
Take off the headlamps’ ring or bezel and keep the parts in a secure location. Make sure you know the location of both the vertical and horizontal adjuster screws. Also, have someone inside the car to help you with the adjustment process. Adjust the vertical and horizontal fields of the headlights. While doing so, ensure the assisting person inside the car turns the headlamps after each adjustment to check if things are fine. Ensure the most intense part of the headlight beam hits the centerline you taped on the wall.
Fine-tune the adjustments
Once you’re satisfied with the adjustments, take the car for a road test, and if one or both of the headlights aren’t quite up to par, repeat the process to fine-tune the headlamp performance.
How to adjust and align car headlamps ?
Step 1 : Park the car on level ground
Step 2 : Create a centre axis on a vertical wall
Step 3 : Dismantle and adjust the lamps
Step 4 : Ensure vertical and horizontal lines are right
Step 5 : Ensure the centre axis is hit by the intense part of the beam
Step 6 : Test the headlamp performance
Step 7 : Fine-tune the adjustments if necessary