REQUEST: How to properly level your headlights doityourself

[Newjack]

I'm looking for a DIY on how to properly level your headlights. I have found a couple threads out there, but most of them don't answer my questions.

I have halogen lights (Sadly no xenons)

What is the appropriate height of the beam? From how far away?

I also found this link (http://repairbmw.net/how-to-adjust-bmw-headlights.html) which tells me there is a way to adjust the headlights horizontally. I didn't even know about this.

Anyone with info out there?

[Hermes]

I've seen (somewhere) a website that states proper level. I'm assuming you already know how to adjust them... there are two "screws" which are vertical and horizontal adjustment. If I had my car nearby I would take pics, can I get an assist somebody?

[Newjack]

I know where the vertical screw is. It's that cog looking thing. I think I know where the horizontal one is too, but I just figured it was for something else.

[zj96sc]

measure from your headlight center to the floor at your car, then park 20-25 feet from a wall and mark that same height on the wall. you want the highest intensity part of the beam to fall right on those marks, same width as on the car, squarely in front of your car, and the same height.

that's no BMW procedure or anything, I just know that's how they're supposed to be aimed. neither up or down - just level. I think they're actually supposed to be like one half or one degree down from horizontal, but you'll never be that accurate so I just shoot for "level."

here's the bmw procedure:

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/images/10/04/43.gif


Light/dark limit of headlights in headlight aimer
e Adjustment dimension, headlights:
- as per type plate on headlight housing in % (e.g.: 1.0 % = 10 cm / 10 m = 10 on headlight aimer).
Adjustment dimension, fog lights:
- all vehicles 2.0 % = 20 cm / 10 m = 20 on headlight aimer.
H Height of center of headlight above parking surface.
h H - e = height of marking line above parking surface
+ Central mark = center point of high-beam headlight.
M Marking line of headlamp aimer
S Parking surface of vehicle and headlight aimer
Adjustment dimension (e) is only valid for EUR. Observe differing national regulations.




63 10 ... Test requirements for headlight vertical aim adjustment
· Car parked on level ground.
· Replace faulty glass and mirrors and blackened light bulbs.
· Check tyre pressure and correct if necessary.
· Apply load equivalent to one person on driver's seat (approx. 75 kg).
· Vehicle with full fuel tank or appropriate additional weight in luggage compartment.
· Correct adjustment of headlights in relation to engine hood (gap dimensions).
· Manual headlight vertical aim control: Turn handwheel to 0 position.
· Automatic headlight vertical aim control: Wait approx. 30 seconds after switching on lights.
· Version with xenon headlights: Wait 80 seconds after switching on lights. During this time, do not move the vehicle and avoid vibrations.
· Align headlight aimer with vehicle longitudinal axis and parallel to parking surface. Set marking line (M) on aimer to distance (e). Scale graduations on aimer are equal to a gradient in cm at a distance of 10 meters.

but that is built around using their aimer - ie totally useless for us. Just use that diagram they have, I try to set "h" equal to the vertical distance of my headlight lens center from the ground.

[Hermes]

Seriously BMW... could you make it more confusing? Great answer anyways!

[iZHP]

I need to do this. I have an abandoned garage across the street that works well.

There's no easy way to do this. It requires patience, trial and error.

[Newjack]

If I remember correctly, I think Rovert had a DIY posted to some other forum (bimmerforums or fanatics I dont remember) but all the images had been taken down. Something like that would be beneficial to this site.

This is especially true for those with HID's. HID's aimed upwards stand for Hey I'm a Dickhead.

[Rovert]

I'll repost when I wake up. I'm sleeping in bed while typing this on my iPhone. LOL.

[Newjack]

Still there Rovert?

[Rovert]

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1773/hidalignmentdiymc0.jpg

[Newjack]

Thanks!
:praise

[Crickett]

Wow that's helpful! Thanks, roverT!

Sticky? :idea

[SoarinZHP]

Thanks! Hopefully I'll be able to get things back to normal after taking the right side apart to attempt my zkw retrofit... Ugh.

[Rovert]

BTW, I'm not sure if I noted but to make it easier to see the definition, use a towel or rag or whatever to cover each side of the headlights to make it easier to make the initial adjustments.

[Dave1027]

Rovert's graphic is missing. I'm trying to adjust my headlights but not sure where the adjustments are located. Are these the adjusters?

http://home.comcast.net/~dl1027/files/ZHP/PICT0008.JPG

[Rovert]

http://www.kneb.net/d/12279-1/adjust_headlights.jpg

[Dave1027]

Thanks Trevor. My pic looks somewhat different than yours. Do I have the correct location for adjuster number 1? Also, which is vertical and which is horizontal?

[LivesNearCostco]

Dave, in Trevor's pic, #1 (closer to centerline) is for vertical and #2 (outboard) is for horizontal. I am not sure if that is the same for your headlights. If you also have Xenons, it probably is the same adjusters and maybe yours are just missing the sprocket wheels. In that case you might be able to adjust them with a Phillips head screwdriver.

[Dave1027]

Thanks, that clears it up nicely.

[JupiterBMW]

Dammit, I thought I had saved the actual link to the image that was posted forever ago (I think by Trevor...?)... But I just revisited the bookmark and it was back to this original thread... Dammit! Sorry, I totally would've reposted the image! I'll search and see if I can find it...

[JupiterBMW]

Hey guys... I did about an hour's worth of looking today and found the procedure I've been using. It seems to be the easiest to follow, and works really well every time. So, here it is, linked, not hosted, so it'll never go down. And I've got the file on my computer in case anyone needs it.

8529

[ELCID86]

Awesome. Thanks Jupe!

[johnrando]

Again Joop shows that he indeed is, "the light whisperer" Thanks for posting!

[Tnhl1989]

Thanks I tried to level out my lights the other night and got attack by mosquitos on my feet.

[cakM3]

good post Joop :thumbsup

[BavarianZHP]

Perfect write up! Not only are there clear step-by-step directions on how to properly align your beam patterns, but it's also informative on what would happen if you moved the adjustment screws in whichever direction. Thanks for the post.

[JupiterBMW]

No worries. Again, this is the procedure I use, and its perfect every time.

[Hornung418]

That's roverT's DIY guide :)

[JupiterBMW]

Yes it is, but wherever it was hosted had been taken down... So, I saved the file.

[danewilson77]

Yes it is, but wherever it was hosted had been taken down... So, I saved the file.

....and thus, saved a life.

[Hornung418]

....and thus, saved a life.
+1

[Rovert]

Oh good....you guys. I've not had time for my internet life when my life driving down the Pacific Coast has been so epic. Now I'm staying in a rented house with bottles and bottles of wine and a hottub overlooking the valley. #GoingHAM

[WOLFN8TR]

I also found this link (http://repairbmw.net/how-to-adjust-bmw-headlights.html) which tells me there is a way to adjust the headlights horizontally. I didn't even know about this.

Link doesn't work anymore. :dunno


#1 (closer to centerline) is for vertical and #2 (outboard) is for horizontal. I am not sure if that is the same for your headlights. If you also have Xenons, it probably is the same adjusters and maybe yours are just missing the sprocket wheels. In that case you might be able to adjust them with a Phillips head screwdriver.

Has anyone with Xenons done this successfully? Do these adjusters effect both the High and Low beams? Thanks....

[Rovert]

The low beam and high beam are all one piece. When you have the low beams right, the highs will follow fine. :)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x1260q90/329/hidalignmentdiy.jpg

[WOLFN8TR]

Cool Thanks!