How to Adjust the Headlights in a Saturn Ion

by Editorial Team

While you can't adjust the focus of the headlights on your Saturn Ion, you can adjust the angle of your trajectory path. Adjusting the angle can improve your nighttime visibility and maintain compliance with state regulations regarding the allowed angle.

Prep Your Saturn Ion for the Adjustment

Step 1

Park your Saturn Ion about 5 feet from a wall. Saturn recommends you use a wall that's 6 feet high by 12 feet long and has a white matte finish.

Step 2

Make sure you park on a level surface. Rock your car by bouncing the bumper to settle the suspension.

Step 3

Inflate your tires to proper level and check your gas tank. You want at least a half-full tank of gas.

Step 4

Remove any cargo or extra weight you don't carry on a normal basis. You can also pile all the extra weight in the driver's seat to compensate for the lack of driver during the adjustment.

Find the Proper aim for Your Headlights

Step 1

Turn your low beam headlights on. They should shine on the wall.

Step 2

Mark the center of each headlight on the wall with masking tape. You may want to wait until dusk or darken the room to improve visibility.

Step 3

Move your Saturn Ion back three car lengths from the wall. It should be about 25 feet from the wall.

Step 4

Determine where your vertical adjustment screws are. The Saturn Ion does not have a horizontal adjustment. The screws for sealed beam units should be on the headlight assembly under the hood. Composite headlights bolted to an adjuster plate typically have the adjustment screws on the headlamp module.

Step 5

Twist the adjustment screws with a screwdriver. The type of screwdriver you need may depend on the type of screws; you should be able to use a Torxhead screwdriver, if a Phillips won't work.