How do you adjust headlights on high or low beam?

Adjusting your vehicle's headlights is an important maintenance task to ensure proper illumination and visibility on the road. Whether you need to switch between high and low beam settings or make adjustments to the headlight alignment, this guide will walk you through the necessary steps.

Switching Between High and Low Beam

Most vehicles have a lever or switch on the steering column or turn signal stalk that allows you to toggle between high and low beam headlights. To switch between high and low beam:

• Locate the high/low beam control on your vehicle, typically a lever or switch on the steering column or turn signal stalk.


• Push the lever or switch away from you to activate the high beams.


• Pull the lever or switch towards you to return to the low beam setting.

Using your high beams when appropriate can significantly improve visibility in dark or poorly lit conditions. However, be mindful to switch back to low beams when approaching other vehicles to avoid blinding oncoming drivers.

Adjusting Headlight Alignment

Over time, your vehicle's headlights may become misaligned, causing the light pattern to be uneven or not properly illuminating the road ahead. To adjust the headlight alignment:

• Park your vehicle on a level surface, approximately 25 feet from a wall or garage door.


• Turn on your headlights and observe the light pattern on the wall or door. The low beam pattern should be evenly distributed and centered.


• Locate the adjustment screws or bolts on the back of the headlight housing. These are typically accessible from the engine bay or behind the headlight.


• Using a screwdriver or wrench, adjust the screws or bolts in small increments until the light pattern is centered and evenly distributed.

Refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for specific instructions on adjusting the headlight alignment, as the process may vary depending on the make and model.

Maintaining Headlight Condition

In addition to adjusting the alignment, it's important to keep your headlights in good condition to ensure maximum visibility and safety. Here are some tips for maintaining your headlights:

• Regularly clean the headlight lenses to remove any dirt, grime, or oxidation buildup.


• Replace headlight bulbs when they burn out to maintain proper illumination.


• Consider upgrading to brighter, more efficient LED or HID headlight bulbs for improved visibility.


• Inspect the headlight housings for any cracks or damage and replace them if necessary.

By following these steps, you can ensure your vehicle's headlights are properly adjusted and maintained, providing you with the best possible visibility and safety on the road.

How do you tell if your headlights are aimed too high?

You can tell if your headlights are too high by observing the light pattern on a wall or by how other drivers react to you. On a wall, the "hot spot" of the beam should be lower than the center of the headlight, and the top of the beam should be below the height of your headlights themselves. Another sign is when oncoming drivers flash their high beams at you. 
At-home test with a wall

1. Park on a level surface: facing a blank wall or garage door. Park about 25 feet away. 
2. Turn on your low beams. Make sure other lights on your car are off. 
3. Mark the center of the beams. Turn off your headlights and use tape to mark the vertical and horizontal center of each beam pattern on the wall. 
4. Measure the height. From the ground, measure the height of the center of each headlight in the front of your car and mark this height on the wall. The highest point of your beam pattern should be at or below this line, ideally a little lower on the driver's side. 
5. Check the cutoff line. The brightest part of the beam, or the "cutoff line," should be lower than the center of your headlight. If the area above the horizontal line on your marks is illuminated, your headlights are too high. 

This video demonstrates how to aim your headlights at a wall: 1mHeadlight RevolutionYouTube · Jul 18, 2024
Signs while driving

• Other drivers flash their high beams at you: This is a very common sign that your headlights are aimed too high and are blinding oncoming traffic. 
• You can't see far down the road: If your lights only illuminate the area immediately in front of your car, they may be aimed too low. However, if the light pattern appears unusually high, you should check the wall test. 
• Uneven or poor road illumination: Your headlights should provide even light. If one side is noticeably brighter or the beam pattern is oddly shaped, they may need adjustment. 

This video explains how to tell if your headlights are aimed too high by observing the light pattern on a wall: 58sHeadlight RevolutionYouTube · Mar 21, 2020
Quick check for vehicle load 

• Headlight alignment can be affected by the weight in your car. If you frequently carry heavy loads in the trunk, check the alignment when the car is loaded, as the back may sag, causing the headlights to point higher. 

How to correctly adjust car headlights?

To adjust headlights, park on level ground facing a wall 25 feet away. Mark the headlight centers on the wall. Use the vertical and horizontal adjustment screws on the headlight assembly to align beams with the marks--horizontal screws control left-right aim, vertical screws control up-down aim.

How do you adjust low and high beam headlights?

To adjust headlights, park your car 25 feet from a flat wall and mark the center of each headlight beam with tape. Find the vertical adjustment screw for each headlight, typically behind the assembly. Use a screwdriver or socket wrench to turn the screw to raise or lower the beam, ensuring it's not higher than the taped mark and is angled slightly downward to avoid blinding others.
 
This video shows how to adjust headlights using a screwdriver: 51sMotorWeekYouTube · Oct 19, 2024
Step 1: Prepare the alignment area 

• Park your car on a level surface 25 feet away from a flat wall, like a garage door or a large piece of plywood. 
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated and your fuel tank is near full to account for the car's ride height. 
• Turn on your low-beam headlights and mark the center of each beam on the wall with masking tape. 
• Ensure the two marks are level with each other. If not, measure the height of the lower mark and lower the higher one to match it. 
• The center of the headlight should not be higher than 3.5 feet from the ground. 

This video demonstrates how to mark the center of each headlight beam on a wall: 1mCar Repairs Made SimpleYouTube · Oct 2, 2024
Step 2: Find and identify the adjustment screws 

• Open the hood to access the back of the headlights. 
• Locate the adjustment screws or bolts, which are usually on the headlight assembly. Your owner's manual can help if you have trouble finding them. 
• Most cars have one screw for vertical adjustment (up and down) and sometimes a second one for horizontal adjustment (left and right). 

Step 3: Adjust the headlights

• Using a screwdriver or socket wrench, slowly turn the vertical adjustment screw for the first headlight. Turn clockwise to raise the beam and counter-clockwise to lower it. (Note: Some vehicles may require turning the screw in the opposite direction, so check how the beam moves with each turn). 
• Adjust the beam until the top of the light is just below the taped mark you made on the wall. 
• Adjust the second headlight to be the same height as the first, making sure both are slightly angled downward. 

This video shows how to adjust the vertical position of headlights using a screwdriver: 1mmilanmastracciYouTube · Aug 31, 2016
Step 4: Perform a final check

• After making your adjustments, test drive your vehicle. Check for glare on oncoming drivers and ensure you can see well enough down the road.
• If you notice any problems, return to the wall and make final tweaks to the adjustment screws as needed. 

How far should your headlights shine while on low beam?

Low beam headlights should illuminate the road for approximately 150 to 200 feet, depending on bulb type. For proper aim, the brightest part of the beam should have a slight downward tilt, so that at 25 feet away, the top of the light pattern is about 2 to 4 inches below the center of the headlight lens. This prevents blinding oncoming drivers while still lighting the road ahead. 
You can watch this video to learn how to aim and align your headlights correctly: 53sHeadlight RevolutionYouTube · Mar 21, 2020
Key visibility distances

• Standard Halogen: Roughly 150 to 200 feet. 
• Modern LEDs: Can extend this visibility up to 300 feet due to higher brightness. 
• General Rule: It is recommended to switch to high beams only when you cannot see farther than 200 feet with low beams, but only if no other vehicle is within 200 feet and approaching. 

How to tell if your low beams are aimed correctly

• Check against a wall: Park on a level surface 25 feet from a garage door or wall. 
• Mark the center: Use tape to mark the center of the low beam on the wall. 
• Adjust the height: The top of the low beam pattern should be at or slightly below the height of your headlight's center. 
• Notice the pattern: The beam will be slightly higher on the right (passenger) side to illuminate road signs and lower on the left (driver's) side to avoid dazzling other drivers. 

The "Don't outrun your headlights" rule 

• This old driving adage is crucial for safety, especially at night. 
• Your speed should always be slow enough to stop within the distance your headlights can clearly illuminate.