2025-08-04
Headlights (Adjust), Europe (ECE)
Correction Code 17409100
- 2025-08-04: Added adjusting the headlights using an L.E.T. PLA 35 headlight aiming machine.
- 2024-04-01: Updated measurements and units.
- 2024-03-18: Modified settings for headlight aiming equipment.
Adjust Headlights Using a Wall
- Apply tape to a wall at 60.4 cm (23.8 in) (distance X) from the ground.
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Park the vehicle so that the headlights are 10 m (32.8 ft) away from the wall.
NoteMake sure that the vehicle is parked perpendicular to the wall.NoteEU vehicles require a 1% downward inclination (-1%) in the headlight beam. As such, a vehicle parked 10 m (32.8 ft) from the wall would have a 10 cm (3.9 in) beam drop.
- Make sure that all 4 tires are inflated to their recommended pressures. Refer to .
- If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, make sure the ride height is set to standard.
- Use a laser measure to make sure the vehicle is positioned perpendicular to the wall. Measure the distance from the center of both front wheels to the wall. Both measurements from the center of the wheels to the wall should be equal. If the measurements are unequal, reposition the vehicle.
- Use a laser measure to determine the center point of the vehicle. Hold the laser measure perpendicular to the wall and project the laser onto the center point of the vehicle. Mark the center line on the wall.
- Measure 75.4 cm (29.7 in) (distance Y) horizontally on either side of the center line, and then mark these measurements with a piece of tape.
- Put weight on the driver's seat equal to 75 kg (165 lbs).
- Clean the headlights with an IPA wipe and allow to dry.
- Turn on the low beam headlights.
- Use a shop towel to completely cover the RH headlight.
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Check whether the top of the LH beam aligns with the horizontal tape mark on the wall, and that the angled portion aligns with the LH vertical tape mark on the wall. If not, remove the LH underhood apron, (refer to procedure), locate the headlight adjusters and adjust the headlight.
NoteFor LHD vehicles, the left half the beam is flat, and the right half of the beam angles upward. For RHD vehicles, the right half of the beam is flat, and the left half of the beam angles upward. This procedure shows headlight adjustment for a LHD vehicle.
- When the LH headlight adjustment is complete, uncover the RH headlight.
- Use a shop towel to completely cover the LH headlight.
- Check whether the top of the RH beam aligns with the horizontal tape mark on the wall, and the angled portion aligns with the vertical tape mark as shown. If not, remove the RH underhood apron (refer to procedure), locate the headlight adjusters and adjust the headlight.
- Turn off the low beam headlights.
- Reinstall any underhood apron that was removed during headlight aiming,(refer to procedure)
- Remove the weight from the driver's seat.
Adjust Headlights Using a Headlight Tester (Beisbarth 815)
1133367-00-A
Headlight Tester, Beissbarth, Model 815
- Park the vehicle on a level surface.
- Clean the headlights with an IPA wipe and allow to dry.
- Open the hood.
- Use the touchscreen to turn on the headlights.
- Remove the LH and RH underhood aprons (refer to procedure).
- Position the headlight tester tool ~30 cm (12 in) from the front of the LH headlight lens.
- Turn on the headlight tester tool.
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Adjust the knobs on the base of the headlight tester tool until the tool is leveled, as indicated by the bubble gauge on the tool.
NoteThe bubble must be entirely inside of the center ring in order to properly align the headlights.
- Turn on the alignment laser, and then rotate the tool as necessary to align the laser with the base of both hood struts.
- On the headlight tester tool, select Test EC, then select Free Test.
- On the headlight tester tool, select Vehicle, and then use the + or - buttons to select the vehicle type to Car.
- On the headlight tester tool, select Headlight, and then use the + or - buttons to select the headlight type to EU Asym.
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On the headlight tester tool,
select Light, and then use the + or - buttons to change
the Light type to one of the
following:
- Halogen - Model S pre-Refresh (prior to April 2016)
- Xenon (also known as HID) - Model S pre-Refresh (prior to April 2016)
- Bi-Xenon (also known as Bi-HID) - Model S pre-Refresh (prior to April 2016)
- Bi-LED - Model S Refresh (after April 2016)
- On the headlight tester tool, select Inclination, and then use the + or - buttons to set the inclination to -1.0 %.
- On the headlight tester tool, select Height , and then use the + or - buttons to set the height to 68 cm.
- On the headlight tester tool, select OK.
-
Choose settings to test and adjust the fog lights, if necessary (refer to procedure).
NoteClick OK once again to skip the Fog Light setup screen.
- Put a sheet of white paper onto the LH headlamp to aid in locating the focal point of the headlamp.
- On the headlight tester tool, select the laser icon to turn on the headlight laser guide.
- On the headlight tester tool, select the Left low beam and then select the Low beam icon near the bottom of the screen.
-
Adjust the tool to position the headlight laser guide crosshair over the focal point of the headlight.
NoteFocal points of different headlamps are shown below.
- On the headlight tester tool, select the laser icon to turn off the headlight laser guide, and then remove the paper.
- Locate the headlight adjuster(s).
- Adjust the headlight to the measurement on the headlight tester tool screen using a 6 mm hex socket.
- On the headlight tester tool, select Save to record the results.
- Move the headlight tester tool to the RH headlight, and then position the tool ~30 cm (12 in) from the front of the RH headlight lens.
- Put a sheet of white paper onto the RH headlamp to aid in locating the focal point of the headlamp.
- On the headlight tester tool, select the Right low beam, and then select the Low beam icon near the bottom of the screen.
- On the headlight tester tool, select the laser icon to turn on the headlight laser guide.
- Adjust the tool to position the headlight laser guide crosshair over the focal point of the headlight.
- On the headlight tester tool, select the laser icon to turn off the headlight laser guide, and then remove the paper.
- Adjust the headlight to the measurement on the headlight tester tool screen using a 6 mm hex socket.
- On the headlight tester tool, select Save to record the results.
- On the headlight tester tool, select Save again to view the test results.
- Turn off the headlights.
- Reinstall the LH and RH underhood aprons (refer to procedure).
- Close the hood.
Adjust Headlights Using a Headlight Tester (LET PLA 35)
Special tools required for this procedure:
Supplier | Part Number | Description |
Tesla | 1133367-00-B | LET Headlight Machine PLA |
- Park the vehicle on a level surface.
- Make sure that all tires are inflated to specification.
- Set vehicle ride height to Medium.
- If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, enable jack mode.
- Open the hood.
- Remove the underhood aprons.
- Position the headlight aiming machine in front of the vehicle, maintaining a distance of 35 cm from the headlamp lens.
-
Use the visor/laser to line up
the aiming machine perpendicular to the axis between the hood struts.
NoteIf the headlight aiming machine can move between the LH and RH headlights while maintaining the same laser angle projected onto the hood struts, the machine is set correctly (perpendicular) to the vehicle.
- Turn on the headlights.
- Turn on the headlight aiming machine.
-
Position the headlight aiming
machine in front of the LH headlight.
NoteAdjust the height of the headlight aiming machine so that it is aligned with the center point of the headlight.
- Set up the headlight aiming machine for the LH headlight: select and then select the LH headlight icon.
- Select height to <0.8m
- Move the headlight aiming machine following the black arrows on the screen. Once the machine is centered to the headlight, selecting the "X" button will direct you to the adjustment screen.
- Adjust the LH headlight using the adjustment screws. The X and Y values need to be set as close as possible to 0.00. When values are in spec, select the check mark.
- Move the headlight aiming machine to the RH headlight, and then repeat steps 14 and 15 for the RH headlight.
- When both the LH and RH headlights are adjusted to specification, select the check mark to see the adjustment values.
- Turn off the headlight aiming machine.
- Install the underhood aprons.
- If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, remove the air suspension from Jack Mode..