Low beam headlight adjustment

[danygenesis]

Same question here, is a #1 or #2 philips screwdriver?

 

[kn5owa]

My headlights are way too low also

But all this crap to adjust them?

Can't the dealer do it without screwing them up? I guess I just answered my own question.

 

[dareckibmw]

Today, I bough #2 philips screwdriver in Home Depot.

Since my car is lowered and the front is lower than the back, my lights needed adjustment.

I was afraid to do that myself so, I went to the dealer and they raised them in ~5 min. using "my tool" .....free of charge and they let me be inside the shop.

Easy job, though.

Husky # 2 x 8 in. Phillips Screwdriver http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-2-x-8-in-Phillips-Screwdriver-210508440/204663529

 

[PaFromFL]

I used drill bits to gauge the diameter of the adjustment hole. A 15/64" diameter bit easily fit, but a 1/4" was a little too large, making me suspect the hole is 6 mm. A #1 Phillips screwdriver is often specified to have a 3/16" diameter, while the #2 has a (too large) 1/4" diameter. I noticed on one website that the diameter of a #2 Phillips screwdriver was listed as 1/4"/6mm. Perhaps some (or all) #2 Phillips screwdrivers are 6 mm. I'll be taking my dial caliper along to the tool store.

 

[Seejay]

Anybody count the turns to get them to the "sweet spot"? I was going to try 1/2 turn.

 

[danygenesis]

I bought a "Klein Tools P18 Profilated #1 Phillips-Tip Screwdriver-8-Inch Round-Shank" and this one worked flawlessly.

 

[srobak]

My headlights are way too low also

But all this crap to adjust them?

All of what crap? Get this:

OK guys, Gen2 adjustment:
#1 Phillips driver with an 8" blade, like this

Do this:

Done.

 

[Seejay]

I have the tool, and I have access. It would be nice to know how many turns to try at first.

I was going to try 1/2 turn.

 

[ksoze]

I have the tool, and I have access. It would be nice to know how many turns to try at first.

I think you want to adjust based on where your beam is currtently aimed. I would not assume all are set the exact same - use a garage wall and mark based on recommended marks and distance.

 

[Jaeger]

I don't have the tools, the ability or the inclination to adjust them myself and the dealership says they are within spec and won't alter them. Where can I take the car to have this done - any Toronto-area peeps have a specific recommendation?

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[PaFromFL]

I took my dial caliper along to the tool stores. At AutoZone, the #2 8" Phillips screwdriver had a large hexagonal shaft. At Advanced Auto Parts, the shaft had a 1/4" diameter (too big). At Lowes the $5 individual screwdriver had a 1/4" shaft. The one from the $10 12-pack assortment had a 6 mm diameter which fits the hole perfectly. For once, a cheap Chinese knockoff delivered joy instead of disappointment, fury, or insanity.

BTW, I went with the #2 because no one seems to have the #1 in stock locally.

 

[PaFromFL]

I finally got around to adjusting the headlights tonight. My driveway slopes a little so I couldn't accurately check the 2.1" US DOT depression distance at 25 ft. However, driving at 80 mph in the dark with low beams is downright scary (unlike all my previous vehicles), so I suspect that the G2 was set to the 3" Euro spec. I raised the beams a little less than an inch. I'll keep the screwdriver in the car in case other drivers start flashing their lights.

 

[PaFromFL]

After an 18.5 hr trip from FL to NY, it appears that raising the beams about 1" at 25' provides much improved 80 mph visibility without annoying oncoming traffic. I've never seen such heavy traffic on my I-95, I-26, I-77, 19, I-79, I-90, I-86 route.

 

[krik71]

PaFromFL,

How many turns of the screwdriver would you say was necessary to to get to the desired height? I turned both sides up half a turn of the screwdriver but I haven't been able to test at night.

 

[PaFromFL]

I think it was a couple of turns, but I'm not sure how well the screwdriver engaged the adjuster. Just using the eye, it is difficult to precisely determine where the beam cutoff occurs (and don't forget to block the light from the other headlight you are not adjusting). I found it helped to raise the beam by one turn and then lower one turn a couple of times to estimate how far the beam moved. On the driver's side, you can place a finger on the hex head on the back of the headlight assembly to feel what effect the screwdriver has. The passenger side requires small hands to get behind the headlight assembly, so I didn't bother.

If you don't want to mess with the beam height measurements at 25 feet, you could do a half turn, check how far away the beam hits the road, and repeat until satisfied. The only drawback is that the left and right beams might get out of sync. Then you might want to mask one headlight while you check the other. I'd probably do it that way if there were any dark, untraveled roads nearby. I use 80 mph as a standard because of all the cars I've owned, only the Genesis was scary at that speed.

 

[amartz]

I think it was a couple of turns,

It's been a while since I've done mine, but two or three turns sounds about right.

 

[danygenesis]

I have to raise mine with around three turns each side.

 

[chris41]

I used my garage door as a way to measure raising my lights. Worked great in the past having halogen bulbs. I didn't notice much change as I turned and turned and turned....thinking my screwdriver wasn't engaging in the adjustment teeth. The headlights didn't look any different as I stared directly in front.

So I park my car on the street and walk about 100+ feet away and turn around. My drivers headlight looked like a cop spot light. Lesson learned....you need to check the headlights about 100+ ft away to really grasp the changes. Looks totally fine anything closer. Ugh....

BTW, Harbor Freight has a 2 piece Super Long Screwdriver Set, 22" with a #2 Philips that fits and engages perfectly.

 

[sidewinder1]

I've found that screwdriver is not needed to adjust the headlight. All you need is a 8mm or 5/16" socket and turn the plastic bolt for the gear on the back of the assembly. No wrench is needed as it can be hand turned. counterclockwise to raise and clockwise to lower.

I should mention this is for the driver side as it was lower than passenger side driving at night a bit scary.

looking down the hole showing gear being turned

 

[1FstYota]

Anyone else noticed that our HIDs doesn't have a nice cut off?