How to Adjust the Headlight Height of an Accord?
4 Answers
There are two threaded holes at the back of the Accord's headlights that can be adjusted with a Phillips screwdriver—one for height adjustment and the other for distance adjustment. Locate the height adjustment thread and turn it with the screwdriver. Below are some common headlight issues: 1. Headlight not working: This could be due to a burnt-out bulb, blown fuse, faulty headlight switch, damaged headlight relay, or open/short circuit in the wiring. 2. Dim lights: Possible causes include insufficient battery power, loose wire connections, or low-wattage bulbs. 3. Frequent bulb burnouts: This may result from excessive voltage output or loose wire connections.
What annoys me most when driving is incorrect headlight height – I always feel like I can't see the road clearly on highways at night. Adjusting the Accord's headlight height is actually quite simple. While seated in the driver's seat, feel for the left side below the steering wheel. There's a graduated roller wheel under the air vent – rotating it adjusts the height. I recommend testing it slowly against a flat wall at night. For example, when using low beams, position the light cutoff at license plate height for optimal alignment. The location may vary slightly between Accord models – the knob on my 10th-gen Accord is tucked near the left knee area. Be careful not to adjust it too high, or you'll blind oncoming drivers and risk getting a ticket. Remember to check periodically, especially when frequently carrying rear passengers or heavy trunk loads, as the raised front end will elevate the beam pattern.
Last time we discussed this in the car enthusiast group, we found that the adjustment methods for Accord models from different years do vary. For earlier models, you need to adjust it in the engine compartment - lift the hood and look for the white adjustment gear behind the headlight, then slowly turn it with a hex key. Most newer models now have a roller-type adjustment button in the area to the left of the steering wheel inside the car. My personal suggestion is to first check the owner's manual - usually the last chapter has dedicated illustrated instructions for headlight adjustment. If you can't adjust it properly in the parking lot yourself, just ask the 4S shop technician to do it during your next maintenance service - they can focus it quickly with professional equipment. Fellow car owners who have modified suspensions or replaced headlight assemblies, please note: the headlight height must be recalibrated after such modifications, otherwise it won't pass the annual inspection.
As a long-time owner of three Accords, I sincerely suggest you first identify which generation your car belongs to. The eighth and ninth-generation Accords typically feature a physical dial on the lower left side of the steering wheel, with 0 being the lowest and 3 the highest setting. However, this design was eliminated in the tenth generation and later models, requiring you to manually adjust it under the hood. Before adjusting, make sure to park your car on level ground, ideally about five to six meters away from a wall. If you find no changes after repeated adjustments, the mechanism might be stuck, in which case a visit to the repair shop is necessary. Most modern models come with automatic headlight leveling, but it's still advisable to make minor manual adjustments when carrying heavy loads. The headlight adjustment design in the Accord is quite user-friendly compared to other Japanese cars, and far more convenient than the electronic adjustments buried in menus in German cars.
