OK, I know there was a post here before about how to re-aim the headlights. I've tried the procedure that was given (inserting a philips head screwdriver into the "Up/Down" slots inside the engine compartment) but had no luck. Specifically, if you look inside the adjustment holes, you can see what looks like a small gear-type assembly which I am guessing requires a special tool in order to turn. Does anyone know what kind of tool would be required or where to get one? Alternatively, anyone have any luck with any other procedure for re-aiming the headlights?

Thx.

 

just curious why do you need to re-aim the lights?

 

Just a thought, I believe the dealership will do it for you without a problem. That is if you are local. I would like to know how to do it myself though.

 

I know that the left light is aimed lower than the right from the factory. I can accept a little bit of a difference but the difference on mine is HUGE- about 6 to 7 inches from a distance of only about 10 feet. I could take it down to the dealer but I'd just assume do it in my garage if it's an easy fix.

 

You probably need a torx bit. I re-aimed the headlights on one of my Audi's using a torx bit.

EDIT: Be careful not to aim them to high.

 

 

I did mine within a few days of purchase. All you need is a phillips screwdriver. The direction of turn is clearly indicated around the opening to the adjustment nut.

 

I've seen the direction of the turn, but did you use an abnormally large phillips head? I couldn't get the gear mechanism to turn, even with a fairly good sized bit.

 

Not too big a bit. I just tried mine with a #2 Phillips and it turned without much effort. You can shine a flashlight into the hole and see the gear thingie, to get an idea of what happens when you put the Phillips head screwdriver down in there.

 

Ron_A's right. Use a flashlight.. it helps. I use the largest Phillips I could fit in the opening. It does take a little work. At first, it doesn't seem to be turning, but if you are aiming your lights at a garage door or light colored wall, you'll see the change.

 

why is the left light lower then the right from the factory???? pretty annoying to me

 

To keep us from blinding oncoming traffic. I adjusted mine as well. I was on a dark country road and could only see like 75 ft in front of the car so I adjusted it up a little and I get about 150 or more. I had it to the first time had some cars flash me so I lowered it a little and I still get a couple of flashes but atleast I can see now.

 

i don't think im understanding the directions that RETS posted...but you

1) you go to a level surface
2) park 25 feet away from a wall
3) turn on ur low beams
4) then how far do the lights have to be from the ground up? and what exactly are u measuring....i don't quite get it

how are u suppose to tell if its right or not?

 

It's saying that the height of the lights should be 2.1 inches below the height of the headlights. So if your car is 20 inches off the ground at the headlight, then your lights should be aimed 17.9 inches above the ground 25' away from the wall.

I had my car lowered and I had to readjust the lights as it was pointing down even further. I adjusted mine up so that it would shine more on the road further out. If my driver side did not go above the jersey barriers on the road then I was fine. And it didn't shine above the hood of the on coming cars.

 

I tried mine this morning. Super easy.

It took me 20 minutes only because I was being dumb. I thought it was super sensitive type I had on my last car. I turned 1/4 way at a time and I didn't see it moving so I thought none of my tools were working. It turns out to be you need to turn several (5 to 10) times to see difference.

A tool you need is medium shaft philips. Not too large shaft like electronic tools, not too small ones like 8PC all metal set.

Yes flashlight works, I just sticked tool into the hole and turned it without looking that worked too.

 

holy sh!t my low beam looks like high beam. I am going to revert it back before I go home tonight from school.

 

I apologize for the 3rd consecutive post.

I totally screwed up headlight aiming. I can't remember what my factory setting was. Because i didn't mark how far vehicle was from wall initially. I am aiming it downward a bit everytime I drive car but it still looks like pretty damn high. I guess basic rule of thumb is low beam should not go any higher than headlight height itself.

 

If you look at the picture in the post near the top of the page, Post #6, on the right hand side of the picture it tells you how to check the adjustment for low beams and gives the measurements.

 

I thought I was the only one! Great thread! My left light is lower too. Extremely annoying.

 

The way most places say to aim the lights:

Pull car up to the wall. Put a piece of tape on the wall, where the cross-hair is engraged on your headlamp lense. Back car up 25 ft.

Measure 2.1" below the tape mark on the wall, in front of each light. Connect these two points with tape.

Turn on lights... Your cutoff, should lineup exactly with this line.

 

good info

 

OK, horrible drawing but anyway.



Last night, an idiot flashed at me coming down hill so I showed him what my highbeam looks like

 

That is the best drawing I have ever seen!

 

Headlights are aimed from the factory with the right beam extending farther so you can see A: Pedestrians and Bicycles and B: Upcoming corners- the white line helps you see the roadway edge- even/especially in fog!

The left light is set lower so as to not blind oncoming traffic

If you get high beamed by others, drop the lights a little more. Normal to readjust them after shocks or spring change, rims etc

As for showing the beamer your high beams- nice trick- just hope it doesn't happen to be Law Enforcement- wanna guess why? Blinding oncoming traffic with your highs! Ticket!!
Plus the fixit for the out of align lows

If you are having any doubts- many shops have the device that sticks on the lights and then they adjust them perfect, maybe 20 bucks for someone to do it to legal specs

Places that can certify former salvage title cars as roadworthy can do the process as they do it for their cars
Just look under headlight adjustment or certification in the phone book

 

Sorry for being slow here but can someone send a picture of where is this adjudtment hole?/ From the drawing I cannot relate it to my car, I have the 2004 TL.

thanks.

 

the cover over the battery has a little hole towards the front engine side. There is a little double arrow that shows direction. BTW I had to go through 8 philips head's before I found one that worked. When I did it was easy. Also small turns make big differences.

 

hmm. i seem to be having trouble doing this too... and i am really handy person with my car...

ill keep on trying... maybe its the screw driver i am using...

 

Just FYI.. on my car (08TLS) you dont just stick the screwdriver in the hole.. it has to go in on some CRAZYYY sideways angle. you get it though, couple twists, and its all set up! Thanks

 

In order to adjust the passanger headlight, where is the access point? same place as well???

 

yup. you will see an angled plastic entrance on your OEM plastic cover for a screwdriver..

 

True. Had it done to my Acura before this TL free of charge....that is, when I took it in to fix something else with the car. I imagine it has to be the same with the TL.

 

headlight adjustment successfully accomplished!!!! thanks guys. By the way, my right light was way off, more than it should be.

 

need to do this as well. lots of ppl high beaming me and probably more now with the a-spec sus

 

thanks Allon

 

We can adjust our headlights up/down, but there is no left/right adjustability, correct?

 

Hmmm...what is the adjustment with a lowered car? Anyone know? I lowered the car probably 2.5 inches so would that mean that the headlight would need to be a little closer to where the beam hits at 25 ft?

Thank you. I don't want to blind people but I've definitely noticed that I'm not seeing as far out as when I hadn't had it lowered.

 

You would just follow the same procedure. The only thing you would need to do is get the measurement from the center of the projector to the ground, then transfer that measurement to the wall and adjust the beams 2.1 inches lower than your new measurement.

 

But isn't that the issue...since the car's front now sits 2 to 3 inches lower than stock, if the beam isn't aimed more "up" then the visibility will be that much shorter. I think it must be raised, not lowered?

Am I off in my thought process? Or is the 2.1 inches lower taking into account the angle the car is sitting at whether it be sctock or lower?

 

my left side headlight is wayy off almost more than 12 in(basically i cant see the headlight beam) i took apart the bumper and headlight to install new hid's and i never saw that screw... i guess im blind.. btw its an 04 TL auto. if some could help locating this will be really helpful.

 

If you aim them up more the beam will then carry into the on coming traffics eyes, the beam will have to eventually hit the ground, it wont do that if you aim it above the measurement you have from the ground to the center of the projector. That's why they recommend you to aim it 2.1 inches from you original measurement from the ground to the center of the projector so the beam will hit the ground further down the road. Do you kind of understand what I'm saying?