Headlight adjusting

anybody have a good method to adjust headlights? I used to have a cinder block wall at my old house I had used and the grid was useful, but at my new place I have a white wall in the garage or the garage door. Is there any basic guideline for light cutoff at a certain distance? I only need to lower the beam.

 

I usually trial and error with lifted trucks, you don't want to blind little cars, but every 1/4" down is a foot in visible distance at night.

Taco's have really sharp cut off patterns so I would just lower it a 1/2" at 5 feet from a wall and see how it shows up at night.

 

Roger that. Thanks.

 

I need to dial mine in as well. I think you technically want to be 20’ (maybe it was 30’) away on level ground. My problem Is finding a flat wall I can use from a distance. Might scope out the department stores during the day to find a spot

 

There's no independent adjustment for high and low beams and there's no horizontal adjustment either. You aim the low beams correctly and the high beams will follow. The best way to aim is with a shop that has the proper electronic aiming device - not aiming at a wall, but those are often hard to find. Here's a link to Stern's site and comprehensive instructions of how to do the wall aiming the right way.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

Most mechanics and shops have no idea at all how to properly aim and most users here have very little idea either. I'd listen to Daniel first as he's an acknowledged expert and consultant in the field.

 

I had the dealer adjust my headlights.

 

I would not have a high degree of confidence having a dealer do this unless they actually have the right equipment and know how use it. Most don't.

https://www.toolsid.com/symtech-cor...d-headlamp-alignment-system-mpn-06010010.html

 

I found that mine were too low, both the headlights and especially the fogs. The fogs are actually pretty decent when adjusted.

Decades ago, I had a great spot behind my high school to check lights at long distance. The only place around this area is my own garage. I even asked at my favorite alignment shop. They kick ass on alignments but don't have the tools for headlights.

What I do for low beams:

Put the rear wheels as far back as possible. Measure the hot spot or cut off at both the light and the projection on the back wall. Adjust until I am happy. Then roll forward verifying that the beam moves up a bit as I get closer. This allows some down angle as appropriate for low beams.

I road test my settings, checking that I am not shoving glare at other drivers and adjust if necessary. I have found that if my cutoff is right about the top of most sedan trunk lids when at an acceptable following distance, it is set pretty well.

For fogs and separately adjustable high beams:

Same as above, but the hot spot / cutoff does not move has I roll forward. So, these should be level.

Easy.

 

get 20 feet back from a wall. mark with tape current cutoff. adjust accordingly.

now go drive and park somewhere lights on, and also where you can go out 1000 feet from vehicle
and walk back, judging light aim and cutoff yourself as you walk back to vehicle. best hobo method

 

I wish I could find a level area to do that. Nothing around here is level for any kind of distance except for some highways.