01/04/2024 14:46:48

Headlights (Adjust), North America (SAE)

Correction Code 17409000

  • 2024-04-01: Updated measurements and units.

Additional Information

  • 1133367-00-A Headlight Tester, Beissbarth, Model 815
  • Lights - Fog - Front - Adjust (Correction Code: 17404000)

Adjust Headlights Using a Wall

  1. Position the vehicle for adjusting the headlights. The vehicle should be:
    • Located in a darkened area.
    • Parked on a level surface.
    • Perpendicular to a wall that has a white matte surface. The wall must be at least 6 ft (1.83 m) high and 12 ft (3.76 m) wide.
  2. Ensure that all 4 tires are inflated to their recommended settings. Refer to General Information > Technical Data > Tire pressures.
  3. Put a piece of tape on the wall to indicate where the beam should show.
    • Air suspension vehicles: 33.8 in (85.9 cm) from the ground
    • Coil suspension vehicles: 33.4 in (84.9 cm) from the ground
  4. Measure 25 ft (7.62 m) away from the wall and put a piece of tape on the ground to indicate where the vehicle should be parked.
  5. Park the vehicle perpendicular to the wall so that the front fascia is flush with the tape that was placed on the ground in the previous step.
  6. Perform a ride height adjustment so that the vehicle suspension is reset to Standard. See Ride Height - Adjust.
  7. Remove the LH and RH underhood aprons. See Assembly - Underhood Apron - Front (Remove and Replace).
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The remainder of this procedure must be performed with someone in the driver seat who weighs at least 165 lbs (75 kg).
  8. Note the height between the ground and the center projector lens on the driver side headlight.
    Figure 1. Model S Headlight
    Figure 2. Model X Headlight
  9. Mark a straight line between each of the center projector lenses and the wall. At the point where each line meets the wall, mark the height that was noted in the previous step.
  10. Use the touchscreen to turn on the low beam headlights.
  11. Cover the RH headlight; ensure that all light from the right headlight is blocked.
  12. Locate the headlight adjuster(s).
  13. Adjust the headlight so that the distance between the ground and the top right part of the beam on the wall is:
    • Air suspension vehicles: 33.4 in (84.9 cm)
    • Coil suspension vehicles: 33.8 in (85.9 cm)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Turning the screw clockwise moves the beam upwards. Turning the screw counterclockwise moves the beam downwards.
  14. Repeat steps 11 through step 13 by covering the LH headlight and adjusting the RH headlight.
  15. Reinstall the LH and RH underhood aprons (refer to procedure).
  16. Close the hood.
  17. Use the touchscreen to turn off the headlights.

Adjust Headlights Using a Headlight Tester

1133367-00-A Headlight Tester, Beissbarth, Model 815
  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
  2. Ensure that all 4 tires are inflated to their recommended settings. Refer to General Information > Technical Data > Tire pressures.
  3. Open the hood.
  4. Remove the LH and RH underhood aprons Assembly - Underhood Apron - Front (Remove and Replace).
  5. Use the touchscreen to turn on the headlights.
  6. Position the headlight tester tool ~12 in (30 cm) 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 near the top of the tool, 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 US, then select Applications >Free Test.
  11. On the headlight tester tool, select Headlight, and then use the + or - buttons to change the Headlight type to VOR.
  12. On the headlight tester tool, select Light, and then use the + or - buttons to change the Light type to LED.
  13. On the headlight tester tool, select Inclination, and then use the + or - buttons to set the inclination.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Inclination information is located on the headlight.
  14. On the headlight tester tool, select Height.
    1. On the headlight tester tool, select Laser, and then position the laser in the middle of the headlight.
    2. Move the headlight tester tool up or down on the column to the indicated height.
  15. On the headlight tester tool, select OK.
  16. Choose settings to test and adjust the fog lights, if necessary (refer to procedure).
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Or click OK to skip the Fog Light setup screen.
  17. On the headlight tester tool, select Laser to turn on the headlight laser guide.
  18. On the headlight tester tool, select Left low beam, and then select Low beam near the bottom of the screen.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The "L" and "R" indicators at the bottom of the screen are reversed. For example, "L" is on the right side and "R" is on the left side.
  19. Place a piece of paper against the LH headlight, and then adjust the tool to place the headlight laser guide crosshair over the brightest spot on the paper.
  20. On the headlight tester tool, select Laser to turn off the headlight laser guide, and then remove the paper.
  21. Locate the headlight adjuster(s).
  22. Manually adjust the headlight to the measurement on the headlight tester tool screen using a 6 mm hex socket.
  23. On the headlight tester tool, select Save to record the results.
  24. Roll the headlight tester tool to the RH headlight, and then position the tool ~12 in (30 cm) from the front of the RH headlight lens.
  25. On the headlight tester tool, select Right low beam, and then select Low beam near the bottom of the screen.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Make sure that High beam is not selected.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The "L" and "R" indicators at the bottom of the screen are reversed, for example, "L" is on the right side and "R" is on the left side.
  26. Place a piece of paper against the RH headlight, and then adjust the tool to place the headlight laser guide crosshair over the brightest spot on the paper.
  27. On the headlight tester tool, select Laser to turn off the headlight laser guide, and then remove the paper.
  28. Manually adjust the headlight to the measurement on the headlight tester tool screen using a 6 mm hex socket.
  29. On the headlight tester tool, select Save to record the results.
  30. Test and adjust the fog lights, if necessary (refer to procedure).
  31. On the headlight tester tool, select Save again to view test results.
  32. Turn off the headlights.
  33. Reinstall the LH and RH underhood aprons Assembly - Underhood Apron - Front (Remove and Replace).
  34. Close the hood.