Aiming headlights

Part 1. Preparation and safety

Objective

• Use a headlamp adjuster unit to aim headlights.

Personal safety

Whenever you perform a task in the workshop you must use personal protective clothing and equipment that is appropriate for the task and which conforms to your local safety regulations and policies. Among other items, this may include:

• Work clothing - such as coveralls and steel-capped footwear
• Eye protection - such as safety glasses and face masks
• Ear protection - such as earmuffs and earplugs
• Hand protection - such as rubber gloves and barrier cream
• Respiratory equipment - such as face masks and valved respirators

If you are not certain what is appropriate or required, ask your supervisor.

Safety check

• Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following tasks. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.

Points to note

• Although the principle of aiming headlights is the same in the majority of cases, the legal rules can differ from region to region. Be sure to check the requirements for your location. If you are unsure of what these are, ask your supervisor.

• Some manufacturers may suggest that the headlights be aimed on high beam, others on low or dipped beam, depending on the number of lights and type of application. They may also suggest that a load be placed in the vehicle. Refer to the manufacturer's manual for specific information regarding headlight aiming.

Part 2: Step-by-step instruction

1. Check tire pressures
   Make sure the car is on an even and level surface and that the tires are inflated properly. Over loading the rear of the vehicle can alter the alignment, so make sure the check is done according to the manufacturers loading recommendations.
2. Position vehicle
   Move the vehicle into the correct position in relation to the headlamp aligner unit following the equipment manufacturer instructions.
3. Check low beam settings
   Turn the headlights on to a low beam setting. The center of the illuminating beams should be in the lower right quadrants of the chart or wall markings.
4. Check high beam settings
   The high beam should be centered, falling on the intersections of the horizontal and vertical marks.
5. Adjust headlight alignment
   If necessary, locate the adjustment screws on the headlight and turn them so the lights point to the correct places.