Headlamp Aiming
Important: During headlamp assembly aiming, do not use
a cloth or similar material to cover the lens of the headlamp assembly being adjusted.
Damage to the headlamp assembly will result if the headlamp beam is obstructed in
this manor.
Headlamp aim should be checked:
• | When a new headlamp capsule is installed. |
• | If service or repairs to the front end area have (or may have) disturbed
the headlamps or their mounting. |
Prior to aiming the headlamps, the following workshop area and equipment are
needed:
• | The area must consist of a level surface large enough to a mark reference
line the length of a vehicle and an additional 7.62 m (25 ft) measured
from the face of the lamps to the front of the aiming screen. |
• | The screen will be 1.52 m (5 ft) high x 3.66 m (12 ft)
wide with a matte white surface well shaded from extraneous light, and correctly adjusted
to the floor on which the vehicle stands. Provisions should be made to align the screen
parallel with the vehicle. |
• |
The screen must be provided with a fixed
vertical centre-line (2) that corresponds to the centre of the vehicle, two
laterally adjustable vertical lines (3 and 4) corresponding to the centre of
the low beam bulb on each side of the vehicle and one vertically adjustable horizontal
line (1) that corresponds to the centre of the front low beam bulb. |
• | If a regular commercial aiming screen is not available, the screen may
consist of a vertical wall having a clear uninterrupted area approximately 1.83 m
(6 ft) high and 3.66 m (12 ft) wide. The surface should be finished
with a washable non-gloss white paint. |
Prior to aiming the headlamps, the following steps must be taken:
- Remove any snow, ice or mud from the vehicle.
- The vehicle must have a full tank of fuel.
- Stop all other work on the vehicle.
- If any service has been performed on the vehicle, make sure that all of
the components are back in their original place.
- The vehicle must be on a level surface.
- The vehicle's left tires must be parallel
to the reference line with the face of the headlamps extending 7.62 m (25 ft)
from the front of the aiming screen.
- DO NOT load any cargo in the vehicle.
- The vehicle must contain 1 person or 72.56 kg (160 lb) on
the driver's seat.
- Inflate the tires to the correct pressure.
- Simulate the vehicle loads if the intended use of the vehicle is for hauling
heavy loads or towing a trailer.
- Rock the vehicle in order to stabilize the suspension.
Headlamp Aiming Procedure
- Open the hood.
Important: Left headlamp shown. Right headlamp similar.
- Locate the aim dot (1) on the low-beam side of the headlamp lens (2).
- Measure the distance from the ground to the aim dot (1). Record
the distance.
- Repeat for the right headlamp.
- At the screen, measure from the floor and place the horizontal tape at
the recorded distances from steps 3 and 4.
- Measure from the reference line on the floor to the left headlamp bulb
centerline. Record the distance.
- At the screen, measure from the reference line and place the vertical
tape at the recorded distance from step 6.
- Measure from the reference line on the floor to the right headlamp bulb
centerline. Record the distance.
- At the screen, measure from the reference line and place the vertical
tape at the recorded distance from step 8.
Notice: Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam cut-off when aiming. Covering
a headlamp may cause excessive heat build-up which may cause damage to the
headlamp.
- Turn the low beam headlamps to the ON position and block the light from projecting
onto the screen from the right headlamp.
• | For RHD drive variants go to step 11 |
• | For LHD drive variants go to step 12 |
Important: This is for Right Hand Drive (RHD) variants
only.
- The top edge of the beam cut-off (2) should be positioned at the bottom
edge of the horizontal tape line (1).
Important: This is for Left Hand Drive (LHD) variants
only.
- The top edge of the beam cut-off (2) should be positioned at the bottom
edge of the horizontal tape line (1).
Important: Horizontal headlamp adjustment does not exist.
Important: To adjust the vertical aim of the headlamps,
use a suitable tool to turn the headlamp adjuster (1) counter-clockwise to
raise the beam or clockwise to lower the beam.
- Adjust the vertical aim of the headlamps to the specifications required by the
state and the local authorities, or as shown in step 11.
- Repeat steps 11 and 12 for the right hand headlamp while blocking
the light from projecting onto the screen from the left headlamp.
- Close the hood.