How to Adjust the Height and Left-Right Alignment of Car Headlights?

[Johnson]

Choose a flat surface, position the front of the car five meters away from a wall, ensuring your body is perpendicular to the wall's plane. Use a hex key to adjust the right-side adjustment nut on the headlight assembly. Drive the car into a flat, open space and measure a distance of 30 meters. The beam at approximately 30 meters should be generally appropriate.

[McHolden]

Last time at the repair shop, I saw the mechanic adjusting the headlights by drawing a cross mark on the wall as a reference. Open the hood and locate the adjustment hole behind the headlight, usually with a plastic gear knob. Insert a hex key and turn clockwise to raise the beam or counterclockwise to lower it. For left-right adjustment, align the light pattern against the wall to ensure symmetrical spots. Many modern cars now have an electronic adjustment wheel on the left side of the steering wheel, allowing drivers to fine-tune the height in 3-4 steps from the driver's seat. If you can't manage it yourself, don't force it – misaligned headlights can blind oncoming drivers. Having adjusted hundreds of vehicles, I've noticed German cars often hide adjustment holes behind fender liners, while Japanese models tend to have more accessible access points.