How to Adjust Halo Headlights
by Steve Bradley
A vehicle's headlights are one of the most important safety features it has -- the newer halo lights especially, because they have a greater illuminating circumference. Not only do these lights allow you to drive in dark or foggy conditions, but they also allow oncoming traffic to see you. A broken or misaligned headlight could lead to an expensive ticket or worse, a dangerous accident. If you have a headlight beam that needs adjusting, all you need to do is take a few basic measurements and adjust a few screws.
Step 1
Load the automobile with a weight that is representative of normal driving conditions. Included in that should be a partner who will sit in the driver's seat throughout this process.
Step 2
Tell your partner to pull up to a large wall so that the bumper is no more than one foot away. You'll need at least 25 feet of room to back up once the measurements are done.
Step 3
Measure from the ground up to the center point of each headlight lens. Then transfer this to the wall by placing two 6-inch strips of tape in a cross shape with the center of each cross representing the center of each lens.
Step 4
Tell your partner to back the auto up 25 feet and turn on the headlights. Inspect where the light beams land on the wall. Both beams should hit 2 inches below the horizontal strip of the cross. The passenger's side beam should fall directly on the vertical strip, while the driver's side should be 2 inches to the right, placing it squarely in the lower right quadrant of the cross.
Step 5
Open the hood and go to the rear of each headlight assembly. Along the top edge near the center of the light, you'll find the vertical adjustment screw. On one of the sides, usually the inside, you'll locate the horizontal adjustment screw. Manipulate these screws with a standard screwdriver until each light hits the desired mark.
References
Things You'll Need
- Partner
- Masking tape
- Screwdriver
Writer Bio
Steve Bradley is an educator and writer with more than 12 years of experience in both fields. He maintains a career as an English teacher, also owning and operating a resume-writing business. Bradley has experience in retail, fashion, marketing, management and fitness. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and classics.
