2024-04-01

Headlights (Adjust), Europe (ECE)

Correction Code 17409100

  • 2024-04-01: Updated measurements and units.
  • 2024-03-18: Modified settings for headlight aiming equipment.

Adjust Headlights Using a Wall

  1. Apply tape to a wall at 60.4 cm (23.8 in) (distance X) from the ground.
    Figure 1. Apply Tape to Wall
  2. Park the vehicle so that the headlights are 10 m (32.8 ft) away from the wall.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Make sure that the vehicle is parked perpendicular to the wall.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    EU 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.
  3. Make sure that all 4 tires are inflated to their recommended pressures. Refer to General Information > Technical Data > Tire pressures.
  4. If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, make sure the ride height is set to standard.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
    Figure 2. Measure Distance Y Left and Right from the Center Line
    Figure 3. Apply Alignment Targets
  8. Put weight on the driver's seat equal to 75 kg (165 lbs).
  9. Clean the headlights with an IPA wipe and allow to dry.
  10. Turn on the low beam headlights.
  11. Use a shop towel to completely cover the RH headlight.
  12. 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.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    For 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.
    Figure 4. Check/Adjust the LH Headlight Beam
    Vehicles built through April 10, 2016 Vehicles built after April 10, 2016
  13. When the LH headlight adjustment is complete, uncover the RH headlight.
  14. Use a shop towel to completely cover the LH headlight.
  15. 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.
    Figure 5. Adjust the RH Headlight Beam
    Vehicles built through April 10, 2016 Vehicles built after April 10, 2016
  16. Turn off the low beam headlights.
  17. Reinstall any underhood apron that was removed during headlight aiming,(refer to procedure)
  18. Remove the weight from the driver's seat.

Adjust Headlights Using a Headlight Tester

1133367-00-A Headlight Tester, Beissbarth, Model 815
  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
  2. Clean the headlights with an IPA wipe and allow to dry.
  3. Open the hood.
  4. Use the touchscreen to turn on the headlights.
  5. Remove the LH and RH underhood aprons (refer to procedure).
  6. Position the headlight tester tool ~30 cm (12 in) from the front of the LH headlight lens.
  7. Turn on the headlight tester tool.
  8. 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.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The bubble must be entirely inside of the center ring in order to properly align the headlights.
  9. Turn on the alignment laser, and then rotate the tool as necessary to align the laser with the base of both hood struts.
  10. On the headlight tester tool, select Test EC, then select Free Test.
  11. On the headlight tester tool, select Vehicle, and then use the + or - buttons to select the vehicle type to Car.
  12. On the headlight tester tool, select Headlight, and then use the + or - buttons to select the headlight type to EU Asym.
  13. 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)
  14. On the headlight tester tool, select Inclination, and then use the + or - buttons to set the inclination to -1.0 %.
  15. On the headlight tester tool, select Height , and then use the + or - buttons to set the height to 68 cm.
  16. On the headlight tester tool, select OK.
  17. Choose settings to test and adjust the fog lights, if necessary (refer to procedure).
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Click OK once again to skip the Fog Light setup screen.
  18. Put a sheet of white paper onto the LH headlamp to aid in locating the focal point of the headlamp.
  19. On the headlight tester tool, select the laser icon to turn on the headlight laser guide.
  20. On the headlight tester tool, select the Left low beam and then select the Low beam icon near the bottom of the screen.
  21. Adjust the tool to position the headlight laser guide crosshair over the focal point of the headlight.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Focal points of different headlamps are shown below.
    Model S built through April 10, 2016 Model S built after April 10, 2016
  22. On the headlight tester tool, select the laser icon to turn off the headlight laser guide, and then remove the paper.
  23. Locate the headlight adjuster(s).
    Vehicles built through April 10, 2016 Vehicles built after April 10, 2016
  24. Adjust the headlight to the measurement on the headlight tester tool screen using a 6 mm hex socket.
  25. On the headlight tester tool, select Save to record the results.
  26. 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.
  27. Put a sheet of white paper onto the RH headlamp to aid in locating the focal point of the headlamp.
  28. On the headlight tester tool, select the Right low beam, and then select the Low beam icon near the bottom of the screen.
  29. On the headlight tester tool, select the laser icon to turn on the headlight laser guide.
  30. Adjust the tool to position the headlight laser guide crosshair over the focal point of the headlight.
  31. On the headlight tester tool, select the laser icon to turn off the headlight laser guide, and then remove the paper.
  32. Adjust the headlight to the measurement on the headlight tester tool screen using a 6 mm hex socket.
  33. On the headlight tester tool, select Save to record the results.
  34. On the headlight tester tool, select Save again to view the test results.
  35. Turn off the headlights.
  36. Reinstall the LH and RH underhood aprons (refer to procedure).
  37. Close the hood.