GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 805784  Size: B2

Your vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming system equipped with horizontal aim indicators. The aim has been preset at the factory and should need no further adjustment. This is true even though your horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on the "0" (zero) marks on their scales.

If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp aim may be affected. Aim adjustment to the low beam may be necessary if it is difficult to see lane markers (for horizontal aim), or if oncoming drivers flash their high beams at you (for vertical aim).

If you believe your headlamps need to be re-aimed, we recommend that you take your vehicle to your dealer for service. However, it is possible for you to re-aim your headlamps as described in the following procedure.

Notice: To make sure the headlamps are aimed properly, read all the instructions before beginning. Failure to follow these instructions could cause damage to headlamp parts.

The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:

    •  The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light colored wall or other flat surface.
    • The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly level surface which is level all the way to the wall or other flat surface.
    •  The vehicle should be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall or other flat surface.
    • The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud attached to it.
    • The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.
    • The vehicle should be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one person or 160 lbs (75 kg) on the driver's seat.
    •  Tires should be properly inflated.
    •  Start the vehicle and rock it to level the suspension.

Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle low-beam headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.

The headlamp aiming devices are under the hood near the headlamps.


Object Number: 805786  Size: B4

If you believe your headlamps need horizontal (H) (left/right) adjustment, follow the horizontal aiming procedure. If you believe your headlamps need only vertical (V) (up/down) adjustment, follow only the vertical aiming procedure.

Adjustment screws can be turned with an E8 Torx® socket or T15 Torx® screwdriver.