How to adjust headlight angle?

john802 · 04-25-2006, 11:05 PM

Proper Headlamp Aiming Procedure:

deez330 · 05-19-2006, 05:19 PM

i turned mine 12 full rotations

visor · 05-19-2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deez330

i turned mine 12 full rotations

With that so high, instead of worrying about blinding other drivers, you have to worry about being a danger to airplane pilots!

Seriously, if you had to turn that many rotations, there must have been something wrong with the aiming straight from the factory.

poldim · 05-19-2006, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visor

With that so high, instead of worrying about blinding other drivers, you have to worry about being a danger to airplane pilots!

Haha....I was thinking along the same lines except maybe blinding birds....

parachute · 05-25-2006, 10:45 AM

I TOTALLY DISCONFIGURED MY LIGHTS.

CAN ANYONE POST THE LIGHT PATTERN FROM ABOUT 25 FEET AWAY ONTO A WALL PLEASE?? THANK YOU

SoYank · 05-25-2006, 02:00 PM

Call me Super Chicken, I'm taking mine to the service center tomorrow and let them fiddle with the lights.

chongki · 05-25-2006, 02:24 PM

Im doing mine tonight

visor · 05-25-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parachute

I TOTALLY DISCONFIGURED MY LIGHTS.

CAN ANYONE POST THE LIGHT PATTERN FROM ABOUT 25 FEET AWAY ONTO A WALL PLEASE?? THANK YOU

Search a few pages back... someone had posted about a procedure.

Essentially, 25 feet away from a wall, flat level ground.
The top cutoff of each beam should be 1-2 inches lower/closer to the ground than from the ground to the centre of the headlight.

nhhiep · 07-07-2006, 12:14 PM

I did 2 turns and to my eyes at night while doing 80mph, I am still running out of light on the road, but I can see all the signs so clearly. what's up? is 2 turns too much or too little?

SoYank · 07-07-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhhiep

I did 2 turns and to my eyes at night while doing 80mph, I am still running out of light on the road, but I can see all the signs so clearly. what's up? is 2 turns too much or too little?

The light pattern has a cut-off for the left two-thirds or so of the beam and from there it rises on the right ( __/ ). This is why you see the signs on the right. Does bloomin' nothin' for seeing down the road, though.

rickmckee · 07-23-2006, 11:44 AM

I first evened up the left and the right... then I forgot how much it took to do it... So, I only turned up 1/2 turn. Will test tonight.

booya · 08-19-2006, 11:12 PM

Thanks for the info and pics regarding headlight angle adjustment.

I also think the factory adjustment is too low - I gave two counterclockwise
turns (regular phillips head screwdriver) and now they seem just right.

-Booya

parachute · 08-20-2006, 05:38 PM

the pattern on my lights looks like this: \__\__
I think when I bought my euro xenons the were from england or something

nhhiep · 08-21-2006, 11:49 AM

I did 2 turns on both sides and the right is still a little higher than the left. is it because the left is always lower than the right from the factory? If I do another 1/4 turn on the left, would this make them align better?

RiXst3r · 09-22-2006, 05:22 PM

You can watch a video of how BMW aims your headlights at the factory when your car is built...

http://www.bmw-plant-munich.com/

Click on virtual plant tour, and its in the "Final Assembly" video.

It shows a bmw tech. stick 2 computer controlled power screwdrivers onto the lights,and then the computer aims the lights according to a chart drawn on the wall.

uhaulball · 09-23-2006, 10:37 AM

do u think its safe to adjust the lights while they are on?

i plan on adjusting my left light by looking at the projections and leveling it with the right headlight, and then afterwards turn two 360's on each screw.

SoYank · 09-24-2006, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

You can watch a video of how BMW aims your headlights at the factory when your car is built...

http://www.bmw-plant-munich.com/

Click on virtual plant tour, and its in the "Final Assembly" video.

It shows a bmw tech. stick 2 computer controlled power screwdrivers onto the lights,and then the computer aims the lights according to a chart drawn on the wall.

That was an interesting tour. But why are all the cars silver?

uhaulball · 09-24-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhaulball

do u think its safe to adjust the lights while they are on?

i plan on adjusting my left light by looking at the projections and leveling it with the right headlight, and then afterwards turn two 360's on each screw.

tt

visor · 09-24-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhaulball

do u think its safe to adjust the lights while they are on?

i plan on adjusting my left light by looking at the projections and leveling it with the right headlight, and then afterwards turn two 360's on each screw.

Yes, it is safe. How else would you know how much to adjust up or down otherwise?

Just don't go poking at the HID ballasts though.

By the way, in a nutshell this is how you adjust you the height of the headlights:

Essentially, 25 feet away from a wall, flat level ground.
The top cutoff of each beam should be 1-2 inches lower/closer to the ground than from the ground to the centre of the headlight.

uhaulball · 09-24-2006, 11:26 PM

yeah i just did this today, before i read ur post tho visor (it wouldve been useful if someone posted earlier)

so i decided to just take the risk and adjust while the light was on, even thought the sticker said not to on the headlight. initially, because my car was lowered, the beams were aiming at the ground. i turned many many times til i got it the right height, or so i thought. when i was driving i was aiming into people's rear windows. and then i pulled over and adjusted some more :P

glock17 · 10-04-2006, 09:07 PM

I just picked up my first BMW, a beautiful 2006 Sparkling Graphite 325i (adaptive xenons).When driving behind friends they said it looked like my passenger side headlight was out. It wasn't out, but is adjusted to focus very low. The driver side headlight almost blinds on-coming drivers. I called the dealer and of course they want me to bring it in and drop it off for the day. The problem is I live over an hour from the dealer. This seems like a big hassle if all they are going to do is adjust a couple of screws. Should I cancel my appointment and just do it myself? I've only had the car for a couple of days and I'd hate to screw something up.

visor · 10-05-2006, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock17

I just picked up my first BMW, a beautiful 2006 Sparkling Graphite 325i (adaptive xenons).When driving behind friends they said it looked like my passenger side headlight was out. It wasn't out, but is adjusted to focus very low. The driver side headlight almost blinds on-coming drivers. I called the dealer and of course they want me to bring it in and drop it off for the day. The problem is I live over an hour from the dealer. This seems like a big hassle if all they are going to do is adjust a couple of screws. Should I cancel my appointment and just do it myself? I've only had the car for a couple of days and I'd hate to screw something up.

Tell the dealer if you drop off the car for the day, you should get a 335i loaner to drive!:rocks:

It should take only like 5 minutes for you to literally screw around with the screws...

Just look at the photos on page 1 or 2 on this thread...

05-19-2006, 05:19 PM	#90
deez330 Private First Class 14 Rep 139 Posts Drives: 2017 F80 M3 Comp, 2014 F15 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	i turned mine 12 full rotations
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05-25-2006, 10:45 AM	#93
parachute parachute 98 Rep 539 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: TN, USA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 335i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	I TOTALLY DISCONFIGURED MY LIGHTS. CAN ANYONE POST THE LIGHT PATTERN FROM ABOUT 25 FEET AWAY ONTO A WALL PLEASE?? THANK YOU __________________ 335i Coupe - LeMans Blue 325i Sedan - Mystic Blue (Retired)
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05-25-2006, 02:00 PM	#94
SoYank Major General 582 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	Call me Super Chicken, I'm taking mine to the service center tomorrow and let them fiddle with the lights. __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
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05-25-2006, 02:24 PM	#95
chongki Anyaketdin! 24 Rep 517 Posts Drives: AW E90 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	Im doing mine tonight __________________ "The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering"
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07-07-2006, 12:14 PM	#97
nhhiep Captain 90 Rep 862 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	I did 2 turns and to my eyes at night while doing 80mph, I am still running out of light on the road, but I can see all the signs so clearly. what's up? is 2 turns too much or too little?
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07-23-2006, 11:44 AM	#99
rickmckee New Member 2 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rochester, MN iTrader: (0)	I first evened up the left and the right... then I forgot how much it took to do it... So, I only turned up 1/2 turn. Will test tonight. __________________ I Love my E90! Black Saphire 2006 325i / Black Leather / Burlwood with i-Drive, nav, alarm, premium pkg, cold weather pkg, bi-xenon, splash gaurds. Tinted windows beyond legal limit... It's more beaU-ti-ful that way! All Hail the E90!
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08-19-2006, 11:12 PM	#100
booya New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wayne, New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Headlight angle adjustment Thanks for the info and pics regarding headlight angle adjustment. I also think the factory adjustment is too low - I gave two counterclockwise turns (regular phillips head screwdriver) and now they seem just right. -Booya __________________ 330xi Monaco/Grey/Sport/Premium/Cold/CA/Auto
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08-20-2006, 05:38 PM	#101
parachute parachute 98 Rep 539 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: TN, USA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 335i [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	the pattern on my lights looks like this: \__\__ I think when I bought my euro xenons the were from england or something __________________ 335i Coupe - LeMans Blue 325i Sedan - Mystic Blue (Retired)
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08-21-2006, 11:49 AM	#102
nhhiep Captain 90 Rep 862 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	I did 2 turns on both sides and the right is still a little higher than the left. is it because the left is always lower than the right from the factory? If I do another 1/4 turn on the left, would this make them align better?
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09-22-2006, 05:22 PM	#103
RiXst3r 287 Rep 6,510 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (14)	You can watch a video of how BMW aims your headlights at the factory when your car is built... http://www.bmw-plant-munich.com/ Click on virtual plant tour, and its in the "Final Assembly" video. It shows a bmw tech. stick 2 computer controlled power screwdrivers onto the lights,and then the computer aims the lights according to a chart drawn on the wall.
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09-23-2006, 10:37 AM	#104
uhaulball Brigadier General 197 Rep 4,163 Posts Drives: e90 330xi Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (11)	do u think its safe to adjust the lights while they are on? i plan on adjusting my left light by looking at the projections and leveling it with the right headlight, and then afterwards turn two 360's on each screw. __________________ '06 bsm e90 330xi : 18" VMR CSL : KW V3 : GruppeM Rep Intake : UUC/Corsa Catback : Hartge Lip : ACS Roof Spoiler OEM CF Trunk Spoiler : CF Emblems. Pillars. Mirror. Grille : LUXER12 led plate : V1 Hardwired : OG.longtran e90post sticker! circa 2005
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09-24-2006, 11:26 PM	#108
uhaulball Brigadier General 197 Rep 4,163 Posts Drives: e90 330xi Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (11)	yeah i just did this today, before i read ur post tho visor (it wouldve been useful if someone posted earlier) so i decided to just take the risk and adjust while the light was on, even thought the sticker said not to on the headlight. initially, because my car was lowered, the beams were aiming at the ground. i turned many many times til i got it the right height, or so i thought. when i was driving i was aiming into people's rear windows. and then i pulled over and adjusted some more :P __________________ '06 bsm e90 330xi : 18" VMR CSL : KW V3 : GruppeM Rep Intake : UUC/Corsa Catback : Hartge Lip : ACS Roof Spoiler OEM CF Trunk Spoiler : CF Emblems. Pillars. Mirror. Grille : LUXER12 led plate : V1 Hardwired : OG.longtran e90post sticker! circa 2005
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10-04-2006, 09:07 PM	#109
glock17 Private First Class 9 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sparkling Graphite Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I just picked up my first BMW, a beautiful 2006 Sparkling Graphite 325i (adaptive xenons).When driving behind friends they said it looked like my passenger side headlight was out. It wasn't out, but is adjusted to focus very low. The driver side headlight almost blinds on-coming drivers. I called the dealer and of course they want me to bring it in and drop it off for the day. The problem is I live over an hour from the dealer. This seems like a big hassle if all they are going to do is adjust a couple of screws. Should I cancel my appointment and just do it myself? I've only had the car for a couple of days and I'd hate to screw something up.
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