Front Headlamp Aiming (with Horizontal Adjustment)

Front headlamp aiming is done with the low beam projection. The high beam projection will be correctly aimed if the low beam projection is aimed properly. Some state and local authorities have specific requirements for aiming the front headlamps. These requirements must be followed. Aiming Preparation (With F47)

1. Put the vehicle in normal ride height.
2. Shift vehicle to “N”, enable “alignment mode”.
3. Shift vehicle to “P”, exit vehicle and shut all closures (Doors, Hood, Lift gate).
4. Wait ~30 seconds for vehicle to finalize trim height adjustments
5. Proceed with head lamp adjustment procedure Aiming Area Preparation Choose an appropriate aiming area, then prepare the aiming screen as described in the following.

Front Headlamp Aiming (with Horizontal Adjustment) — figure 1

The aiming area should be darkened and large enough to accommodate the vehicle and an additional 7.62 m (25 ft) measured from the face of the front headlamp capsules to the front of the screen. The floor on which the vehicle rests must be flat with the bottom of the screen. If the floor is not level, compensate as necessary. The aiming screen should be at least 1.52 m (5 ft) high by 3.66 m (12 ft) wide with a matte white surface well shaded from extraneous light, and properly adjusted to the floor on which the vehicle stands. The screen should be provided with a vertical centerline (3), 2 laterally adjustable vertical tapes (2), and 1 vertically adjustable horizontal tape (1).

Note

For each vehicle checked, the horizontal line or tape on the screen must be adjusted. Vehicles of the same model and year may have different standing height for the front headlamp capsules. Make provisions to allow the screen to be movable, so that it can be aligned parallel with the rear axle of the vehicle. This will allow for a horizontal line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the screen to pass through the center point between the 2 front headlamp capsules (4). After the aiming screen has been set up in a permanent location, paint or tape a reference line on the floor 7.62 m (25 ft) from the screen, to identify the proper location of the front headlamp capsules when they are being aimed (5). If a regular commercial aiming screen is not available, the screen may consist of a vertical wall having a clear uninterrupted area at least 1.83 m (6 ft) high by 3.66 m (12 ft) wide, finished with a washable non-gloss white paint. Vehicle Preparation Prepare the vehicle for checking the front headlamp projection aim as follows:

1. Make sure that all the components are in place on the vehicle, if other service has been performed on the vehicle.
2. The vehicle must have a full tank of gas.
3. Make sure the tires are inflated to the proper pressures.
4. Stop all other operations of work on the vehicle.

Front Headlamp Aiming (with Horizontal Adjustment) — figure 2

5. Position the vehicle so it is square with the aiming screen, and with the front headlamp capsules directly over the reference line which has been painted or taped on the floor.
6. Locate the vertical center line on the aiming screen (3) so that it is in line with the center of the vehicle (4). This can be accomplished by sighting through the center of the rear window and over the hood.
7. Mark the vertical center of the front and rear windows with narrow tape. Use these marks as sights to locate the centerline of the vehicle. Move the vehicle or the screen until the center line of the screen comes into alignment with the 2 points.
8. Close the doors.
9. Rock the vehicle sideways to stabilize the suspension.

Note

Locate the fiduciary mark on the front headlamp lens to ensure the proper front headlamp centerline measurement.

10. Measure the height from the floor to the horizontal center of a front headlamp capsule (6). Adjust the horizontal tape on the aiming screen (1) to match this dimension.
11. Measure the distance between the centerline of the right front headlamp capsule and the center of the left front headlamp capsule (5). Position the vertical tapes on the aiming screen  (2) this distance to the right and left of the screen centerline. Adjustment Procedure
12. Turn on the low beam front headlamps.
13. Open and support the hood.

Important

DO NOT cover the front headlamp, this may cause excessive heat build up.

3. From and appropriate distance, block the light from projecting onto the aiming screen from the passenger side front headlamp.
4. Inspect the vertical aim.

Front Headlamp Aiming (with Horizontal Adjustment) — figure 3

5. Rotate the front headlamp vertical adjusting screw (1) to change the vertical aim of the front headlamp (3).

Front Headlamp Aiming (with Horizontal Adjustment) — figure 4

6. Adjust the vertical aim using the vertical adjusting screw to align the top edge of the dynamic front headlamp projection (3) to the measurement of 25 mm (1 in) below the static front headlamp capsule horizontal centerline (1).

Note

Horizontal adjustment is only applicable in certain regions which require horizontal front headlamp adjustment.

7. Adjust the horizontal aim of the front headlamps to the specifications required by the state and the local authorities, or as shown in step number 6.
8. Rotate the front headlamp horizontal adjusting screw (2) to change the horizontal aim of the front headlamp (3).
9. Close the hood.
10. Turn OFF the front headlamps.