Headlight Adjustment
💡 How to Correctly Aim You Retro Glow Headlights💡
🚗 Why Headlight Alignment Matters
Correctly adjusted headlights are essential for safe night driving. Proper alignment improves forward visibility while preventing glare for oncoming traffic. Even after replacing a headlight, installing new suspension, lowering the vehicle, or carrying additional weight, the headlights should be checked and adjusted.
This guide applies to most classic vehicles fitted with 7-inch round sealed beam or LED replacement headlights.
🧰 Equipment Required
✔️ Tape measure
✔️ Masking tape
✔️ Spirit level (optional)
✔️ Phillips screwdriver or adjustment tool (depending on headlight bucket)
✔️ Flat, level surface
✔️ Flat wall or garage door
🚙 Vehicle Preparation
Before adjusting the headlights:
✅ Ensure tyre pressures are set correctly.
⛽ Fill the fuel tank to approximately half to three-quarters full.
🧳 Remove unnecessary weight from the vehicle.
👤 If normally driven with a driver only, have someone of similar weight sit in the driver's seat, or add equivalent weight.
⬇️ Bounce each corner of the vehicle several times to allow the suspension to settle.
📏 Verify the vehicle is sitting at its normal ride height.
📍 Step 1: Position the Vehicle
Park the vehicle on a level surface facing a flat wall or garage door.
📐 Position the headlights exactly 7.6 metres (25 feet) from the wall. Measure from the face of the headlights, not from the front bumper.
Ensure:
✔️ Steering wheel is centred.
✔️ Vehicle is perpendicular to the wall.
✔️ Suspension has settled naturally.
📝 Step 2: Mark the Reference Lines
📏 Measure from the ground to the centre of each headlight lens.
Apply masking tape to the wall at this height to create a horizontal reference line.
Next:
📍 Mark the centreline of the vehicle.
📏 Measure the distance between both headlights.
📌 Transfer these measurements onto the wall, creating a vertical line for each headlight.
You should now have a cross marking the centre position of each headlight.
🌙 Step 3: Switch on Low Beam
💡 Turn on the low beam.
Each headlight will project a beam pattern with a distinct horizontal cut-off (particularly with modern LED or halogen optics).
⬇️ Step 4: Adjust Vertical Aim
Using the vertical adjustment screw:
Aim the top edge of the low beam cut-off approximately 50 mm (2 inches) below the horizontal tape line when viewed at 7.6 metres (25 feet).
This slight downward angle prevents dazzling oncoming traffic while maintaining excellent road illumination.
↔️ Step 5: Adjust Horizontal Aim
Using the horizontal adjustment screw:
Centre the brightest portion of each beam directly on its corresponding vertical tape line.
For headlights with a stepped beam pattern (common on right-hand-drive vehicles 🇦🇺), the rising portion of the beam should begin at or just to the left of the vertical centreline and project toward the passenger side of the road.
🔦 Step 6: Check High Beam
Switch to high beam.
The brightest hotspot should fall close to the headlight centre marks on the wall.
✔️ Minor variation between left and right headlights is acceptable, but both beams should appear symmetrical.
🌃 Final Inspection
Take the vehicle for a night drive and confirm:
✅ Good visibility without excessive foreground lighting.
✅ Even illumination across the road.
✅ No flashing from oncoming drivers.
✅ Comfortable distance vision without dark spots.
If required, make small adjustments until satisfied.
💡 Pro Tips
🔧 Make only small adjustments, typically one-quarter turn at a time.
👁️ Cover one headlight while adjusting the other for greater accuracy.
🔄 Recheck alignment after replacing suspension components, changing ride height, or installing different tyres.
🛠️ If the vehicle has worn springs or damaged headlight buckets, alignment may not hold correctly until these issues are repaired.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Adjusting headlights on an uneven surface.
🚫 Setting the beams level with the headlight centre rather than slightly downward.
🚫 Ignoring ride height changes after lowering or lifting the vehicle.
🚫 Adjusting both headlights simultaneously.
🚫 Judging alignment solely while driving without using a wall as a reference.
📊 Recommended Beam Height
| Distance from Wall | Low Beam Height |
|---|---|
| 📏 7.6 m (25 ft) | ⬇️ Approximately 50 mm (2 in) below headlight centre |
⚠️ Safety Note
Always comply with your local road authority's lighting regulations. Different countries and states may specify slightly different beam alignment requirements.
👨🔧 If in doubt, have the headlights checked using a professional beam setter during a roadworthy inspection or annual vehicle service.
🌟 Enjoy the Drive!
Correctly aimed headlights don't just help you see the road better, they also help everyone else see safely too. Spending just a few minutes getting them right can make a big difference the next time the sun goes down.
Safe driving! 🚗💨