How to adjust the headlights up and down

Greg Bernett

• 2993 Answers
• Posted on May 22, 2009

SOURCE: headlight adjustment

AIMING The head lamps should be aimed using a special alignment tool, however this procedure may be used for temporary adjustment. Local regulations may vary regarding head lamp aiming, consult with your local authorities.

1. Verify the tires are at their proper inflation pressure. Clean the head lamp lenses and make sure there are no heavy loads in the trunk. The gas tank should be filled.
2. Position the vehicle on a level surface facing a flat wall 25 ft. (7.7 m) away.
3. Measure and record the distance from the floor to the center of the head lamp. Place a strip of tape across the wall at this same height.
4. Place strips of tape on the wall, perpendicular to the first measurement, indicating the vehicle centerline and the centerline of both head lamps.
5. Rock the vehicle side-to-side a few times to allow the suspension to stabilize.
6. Turn the lights on, adjust the head lamps to achieve a high intensity pattern.

SOURCE: Can't find headlight adjustment screws

They nuts should be located either on the top of the headlamp assembly, behind the headlamp assembly, or near the frame rail by the radiator support.


Park your car on a level ground 30 feet from a wall and measure the height from the ground to the bulb and mark on a wall (do this for highs beams and low beams if the bulbs are separate, if highs and lows are the same bulb, only do it for the lows)

If the headlights read VOR, then aim the brightest part or cutoff part just below the mark on the wall. If it says VOL or nothing, aim them 2 inches below the mark on the wall.

Testimonial: "The adjustment screw (for passenger side) is located between the battery & frame's second hole. Turning counter-clockwise, it adjusts downwards,Thanks"

SOURCE: can't adjust 2004 Ford Expedition headlight

I had a similar problem on my 04 expedition. I just bought it and the headlights were aiming too far down. A rather larger gap was noticeable between the headlight and the hood. The so called adjustment bolt did nothing. I removed the headlights and found 2 issues. On the adjustment bolt there is a washer. Make sure when you re-install the headlight the washer sets on top of the plastic slot and is visible when looking down behind the headlight. Without the washer being in the correct location it will not tighten the headlight in place.
Second I found the adjustment bolt adjusted nothing. It merely tightened the headlight in place. What I had to do was to loosen this bolt and physically move the headlight into place and the re-tighten the bolt. Hence the slot is the adjustment. Turning the bolt CW or CCW did not move the headlight.
I tried several things trying to figure why the lights would not move until I realized I could move the light with my hands and tightened them in place using the adjustment bolt.

This may not be your issue but I found the owners manual instructions to be useless.

SOURCE: 1998 Ford Mustang Headlight Adjustment

The adjustment screws/nuts should be located either on the top of the headlamp assembly, behind the headlamp assembly, or near the frame rail by the radiator support.

You will have vertical adjustment screws for each independent beam (separate highs and separate lows, but will be same screw if highs and lows are the same bulb). You may also have additional horizontal adjustment screws as well

Park your car on a level ground 30 feet from a wall and measure the height from the ground to the bulb and mark on a wall (do this for highs beams and low beams if the bulbs are separate, if highs and lows are the same bulb, only do it for the lows)

For Low Beams: If the headlights read VOR, then aim the brightest part or cutoff part just below the mark on the wall. If it says VOL or nothing, aim them 2 inches below the mark on the wall.

For High Beams (if separate from low beams): Aim the headlight directly at the line you marked on the wall.

SOURCE: Headlight adjustment for 2006 Infiniti M35

The adjustment screws/nuts should be located either on the top of the headlamp assembly, behind the headlamp assembly, or near the frame rail by the radiator support.

You will have vertical adjustment screws for each independent beam (separate highs and separate lows, but will be same screw if highs and lows are the same bulb). You may also have additional horizontal adjustment screws as well

Park your car on a level ground 30 feet from a wall and measure the height from the ground to the bulb and mark on a wall (do this for highs beams and low beams if the bulbs are separate, if highs and lows are the same bulb, only do it for the lows)

For Low Beams: If the headlights read VOR, then aim the brightest part or cutoff part just below the mark on the wall. If it says VOL or nothing, aim them 2 inches below the mark on the wall.

For High Beams (if separate from low beams): Aim the headlight directly at the line you marked on the wall.