How do I adjust my headlights up and down?

In most vehicles, you adjust the vertical aim of each headlight by turning an adjustment screw on the headlight housing. Park on level ground, project the beams onto a wall, and make small, incremental changes to raise or lower the beam. The exact location of the screws and the tool required vary by model, so consult your owner’s manual if needed.

Understanding headlight aiming

Headlight aiming affects how far the road is lit and how much glare is directed at oncoming drivers. Vertical adjustment changes the height of the beam, while horizontal adjustment shifts the beam left or right. For best results, perform aiming on level ground with the vehicle unloaded (or as it sits most often), and test the alignment on a wall before confirming the setting.

Where to find and how to access the vertical adjuster

Most cars have a vertical adjustment screw built into the headlight housing. Access can be from the front, behind a small access panel or rubber plug, or from inside the engine bay near the headlight assembly. Some vehicles use a dedicated electronic vertical adjuster controlled by a dashboard switch, but many still rely on a manual screw. Check your owner's manual for the exact location, tool type, and turning direction for raising or lowering the beam.

Tools and access considerations

Before you begin, identify whether your car uses a mechanical screw, a Torx/hex/Phillips screw, or an electronic regulator. Depending on the model, you may need to open a cover, remove a wheel well lining, or work through an access hole to reach the adjuster.

What you’ll need to complete the adjustment smoothly includes a stable work area, the correct tool for your adjuster, and a reference wall to measure the beam position.

• Flat wall or garage door about 25 feet (7.6 meters) away


• Appropriate tool to turn the vertical adjuster (screwdriver, hex key, Torx, or specialized bit)


• Masking tape or painter’s tape to mark the wall and beam center


• Measuring tape or ruler to ensure consistent setup and rechecks


• Helper (optional) to assist with alignment and safety

With these items in hand, you’re ready to locate the vertical adjustment screws and begin aiming your headlights.

Step-by-step: adjusting the headlights vertically

Follow these steps to raise or lower the beam safely and accurately. If your vehicle has adaptives or automatic leveling, refer to the manual, as those systems can affect manual adjustments.

1. Park on a level surface and place the vehicle at the standard aiming distance from a wall (commonly 25 feet / 7.6 meters). Ensure the car is in the typical load condition (gas in tank, driver seated, and, if you usually carry passengers, account for that weight).


2. Turn on low-beam headlights and identify the centerline marks on the wall for each headlight. Use masking tape to mark the beam center and the official target height if your manual provides a specific reference.


3. Locate the vertical adjustment screw on each headlight. This screw is usually accessible from the back or top of the housing, sometimes behind a small cap or in the engine bay. Use the correct tool to engage the screw.


4. Make a small adjustment in the correct direction to move the beam up or down. Start with a slight turn (1/8 to 1/4 turn) and test the headlights again on the wall to assess the change.


5. Repeat the adjustment in small increments until the beam height aligns with the markings on the wall and remains comfortable for night driving without glare to oncoming vehicles.


6. Recheck both headlights to ensure a symmetrical and properly aimed pattern. If you notice asymmetry, adjust a bit more on the lower-beam side until both lights are aligned.

After completing the adjustments, take a short test drive at night to confirm that the headlights illuminate the road ahead without producing excessive glare for other drivers. Re-check the alignment if you drive regularly with a full car or if you’ve changed load conditions.

Special cases and safety notes

Automatic or adaptive headlights

Many newer vehicles feature automatic leveling or adaptive headlights that adjust the beam based on vehicle load, speed, and steering. If your car has these systems, manual vertical adjustments may be limited or temporarily overridden. In some cases you still need to set a baseline with the manual adjuster, then rely on the vehicle’s automatic system for day-to-day leveling.

Legal considerations and safety

Improper headlight aim can dazzle oncoming drivers and reduce your own visibility. Local laws and vehicle inspections may require headlights to meet specific alignment standards. If you’re unsure about the adjuster’s location or how to calibrate correctly, a professional alignment service or dealership can perform a precise aim check.

Summary

Adjusting headlights up or down is a straightforward maintenance task that improves nighttime visibility and reduces glare for others. Start by parking on level ground, projecting the beams onto a wall, and using the vertical adjuster on each headlight to make small, incremental changes. Gather the right tools, locate the adjusters (front or rear access depending on the model), and follow the step-by-step process to verify alignment. If your vehicle uses automatic leveling or adaptive headlights, rely on the system after establishing a baseline manual aim, and consult your manual or a professional for final calibration.

Can headlights be adjusted up or down?

How to Adjust Headlights. Vehicles have an adjustment screw or bolt on the headlight assembly for adjusting headlight height, and some also have a screw for horizontal aim. Some vehicles also have a bubble level to help with adjustments.

How to align headlights at home?

To align headlights at home, park on a level surface 25 feet from a wall and mark the center of each headlight on the wall. Then, position your car so the headlights are 25 feet away from the wall. Adjust the vertical aim by turning the adjuster screw so the brightest part of the beam is 2 inches below your initial wall mark. Repeat for the horizontal aim to center the beam on your mark. 
1. Prepare the area

• Park on a flat, level surface facing a blank wall, such as a garage door.
• Ensure your tires are properly inflated and the vehicle is loaded as you normally drive it to account for the ride height.
• Mark a spot on the wall 25 feet away from the front of your car. 

This video shows how to prepare the area and mark the wall for headlight alignment: 58s1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics KnowYouTube · Jan 9, 2021
2. Mark the wall

• Turn your low-beam headlights on and place a piece of tape over each headlight lens to mark its center. 
• Measure the height of the center of each headlight from the ground and transfer that measurement to the wall with a horizontal piece of tape. 
• Mark a second horizontal line 2 inches below the first one on the wall. The top of your low-beam light should align with this lower line. 
• Mark the horizontal center of the vehicle on the wall and transfer the distance between your headlights to this centerline to find the correct horizontal position for each beam. 

3. Adjust the vertical aim 

• Turn your headlights on and note where the brightest part of the beam is on the wall. 
• Locate the vertical adjuster screw on the back of the headlight assembly under the hood. 
• Turn the screw to raise or lower the beam until the top of the brightest part of the beam is aligned with the lower horizontal line you marked on the wall. 

You can watch this video to see how to adjust the vertical aim of headlights: 1mAndrew MaxsimicYouTube · Dec 4, 2014
4. Adjust the horizontal aim 

• Cover one headlight with a jacket or towel to focus on one beam at a time. 
• Find the horizontal adjuster screw and turn it until the beam is centered horizontally on your wall marks. 
• Repeat this process for the other headlight. 

This video demonstrates how to adjust the horizontal aim of headlights: 55sCJ Pony PartsYouTube · Aug 3, 2022

How to tell if headlights are aimed correctly?

You can tell if your headlights are aimed correctly by performing a wall test, which involves parking on a flat surface 25 feet from a wall, marking the headlight centerlines, and then ensuring the top of the low beam's brightest spot is at or slightly below the corresponding tape line on the wall. Signs of misaligned headlights include oncoming drivers flashing their high beams at you, poor road visibility, or your headlights illuminating tree tops.
 
This video demonstrates how to adjust your headlights to the correct height: 57sHeadlight RevolutionYouTube · Jul 18, 2024
How to perform a wall test

1. Find a flat area: Park your vehicle on a level surface 25 feet away from a vertical wall (like a garage door). 
2. Mark the center:
   • Turn on your low beams. 
   • Mark the center of each headlight's beam on the wall with tape. 
   • Measure the height of the center of each headlight from the ground and mark that height on the wall with a horizontal piece of tape for each side. 
3. Check the alignment:
   • The top edge of the bright part of the low beam should be at or just below the horizontal tape line you made. 
   • The driver's side beam is typically lower than the passenger side to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. 
   • The beams should be roughly the same height vertically and horizontally. 
4. Make adjustments if needed:
   • Use the adjustment screws, usually found on the top of the headlight assembly, to fine-tune the vertical aim. 
   • Turn clockwise to raise the beam and counter-clockwise to lower it. 

Other signs of misaligned headlights 
You can watch this video to see how misaligned headlights affect visibility: 43sHeadlight RevolutionYouTube · Mar 21, 2020

• Oncoming drivers flash their lights: This is a sign that your headlights are too high and are blinding other drivers. 
• Poor visibility: The road ahead is not lit up far enough, or you are missing important road signs. 
• Uneven illumination: The light pattern on a straight road surface appears uneven or crooked. 
• Inability to see obstacles: You have difficulty seeing obstacles or changes in the road direction, especially in the dark. 

How high should your headlights be at 25 feet?

At 25 feet, the top of your low beam should be at or slightly below the height of the center of the headlight lens, or a specific height like 2 to 4 inches below the headlight's center reference mark. For most passenger cars, this should be just below the side view mirror of a car to avoid blinding oncoming drivers while providing adequate road visibility.
 
This video demonstrates how to adjust headlights for the perfect aim: 59sTheRetrofitSourceYouTube · Aug 13, 2015
Detailed steps for headlight alignment

1. Park and prepare: Park your car on a flat, level surface. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and remove any heavy cargo that could affect the car's height. 
2. Position the car: Drive up to a flat wall or garage door, approximately 25 feet away, with the front of your car facing the wall. Some manufacturers may recommend a different distance, so check your owner's manual if possible. 
3. Mark the wall:
   • With the low beams on, find the center of each headlight. Use a piece of tape or a marker to put a mark on the wall at the center of each beam. 
   • Measure the height from the ground to the center of the headlight lens and mark this same height on the wall, centered between your two headlight marks. 
4. Establish the target line: 
   • For most cars: Measure down 2 to 4 inches from the horizontal line you just marked and draw a new line. This is the target for the top of your low beam pattern. 
   • For some specific headlights: For Ford vehicles with Halogen (VOR) lamps, the beam should be right on the tape mark. For HID (VOL) lamps, the beam should be about two inches below the tape. Consult your owner's manual if unsure. 
5. Adjust the headlights:
   • Adjust your low beams so the hottest part of the beam's pattern hits the target line you've drawn. 
   • You can adjust the headlights using the adjustment screws found on top of the headlight housing. One screw typically adjusts vertical and the other adjusts horizontal aim. 
   • Cover one headlight while you adjust the other for better accuracy.