Low Visibility? Try This Headlight Aiming Trick! 💡, by CJ Pony Parts on YouTube. 4 min 57 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 57 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Park on level ground about 25 feet from a wall. Set tire pressures, empty excess load, and point the wheels straight ahead.
Switch on low beams. Use tape to mark each headlight's vertical center and horizontal center on the wall.
Lift the hood and find the aiming adjusters. Most cars have one for up/down and one for left/right near each lamp; check the owner's manual.
Let the lamps cool, cover one headlight with a towel or cardboard, then adjust the other. Use the vertical screw to move the beam up or down.
Aim the top edge of the low-beam cutoff about 2 inches below the horizontal tape line. Follow your manual if it gives a different spec.
Turn the horizontal adjuster until the bright part of the pattern centers on the vertical line. Repeat on the other lamp.
Switch off the lights, remove the tape, and test drive on a dark road. Stop and lower any beam that hits signs or oncoming drivers.
Tips and common mistakes
Aim low beams only; a beam set too high can blind oncoming drivers and still leave the road dark.
Set the car up as you normally drive it, with usual tire pressure and load, because a heavy trunk changes the beam angle.
Clean the lenses before aiming; dirt and clouded plastic can make good aim look dim.
Questions
How far should the car be from the wall?
About 25 feet is a common working distance. Check your owner's manual, because some makers list a different distance and height.
Can I aim headlights without a garage?
Yes, any flat wall and level ground work. Do it at night or in shade so you can see the beam pattern clearly.
Why is one beam higher after adjustment?
Small differences are normal, but a large mismatch can mean a bulb is not seated, a mount is bent or an adjuster is broken. Recheck those parts before aiming again.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
