Visual Aiming Preparation Procedure
Important: Some state and local laws specify requirements
for headlamp aim. All of these laws must be complied with when performing any headlamp
aiming operations
Headlamp aim should be inspected for the following conditions:
| • | When a new headlamp capsule is installed |
| • | If service or repairs to the front and area have, or may have, disturbed
the headlamps or their mounting |
| • | The area will consist of a level surface large enough to allow for a vehicle
and an additional 7.62 m (25 ft) measured from face lamps to the front
of the aiming screen |
| • | The screen will be 1.52 m (5 ft) high x 3.66 m (12 ft)
wide with a matte white surface well shaded from extraneous light and properly adjusted
to the floor on which the vehicle stands. Provisions should be made to align the screen
parallel with the vehicle. |
| • | The screen shall be provided with a fixed vertical centerline, two laterally
adjustable vertical tapes, and one vertically adjustable horizontal tape. |
| • | If a regular commercial aiming screen is not available, the screen may
consist of a vertical wall having a clear uninterrupted area approximately 1.83 m
(6 ft) high and 3.66 m (12 ft) wide. The surface should be finished
with a washable non-gloss white paint. |
After the aiming screen has been setup in its permanent location, paint a reference
line on the floor directly under the lens of the lamps to indicate the proper location
of the headlamps when they are being aimed:
| • | Distance between headlamps (1) |
| • | Center line of screen (2) |
| • | Adjustable vertical pointer (3) |
| • | Adjustable horizontal tape (4) |
| • | Diagram of light screen (5) |
| • | Vertical center line ahead of right headlamp pointer position (6) |
| • | Adjustable vertical pointer |
| • | Horizontal center line of lamps |
| • | Vertical center line ahead of left headlamp |
Prior to aiming the headlamps, the following steps must be taken:
- Remove any snow, ice or mud from the vehicle.
- The vehicle must have a full tank of gas.
- Stop all other work on the vehicle.
- If any service has been performed on the vehicle make sure that all of
the components are back in their original place.
- The vehicle must be on a level surface.
- The vehicle left tires must be aligned with the reference
line extending from the screen with the headlamps aligned with the reference line.
- Do not load any cargo in the vehicle.
- The vehicle must contain one person or 72.56 kg (160 lb)
on the driver's seat.
- Inflate the tires to the proper pressure.
- Simulate the vehicle loads if the intended use of the vehicle is for hauling
heavy loads or towing a trailer.
- Rock the vehicle in order to stabilize the suspension.
- Turn on the headlamps to low beam and observe the left and the top edges
of the high intensity zone on the screen. The edges of the high intensity zone should
fall within the specifications.
Headlamp Aiming Procedure
- Open the hood.
- Measure from the floor to the center of the headlamp
bulb.
- At the screen, measure from the floor and place horizontal tape at the
measured distance.
- Measure from the reference line on the floor to the left headlamp bulb
centerline.
- At the screen, measure from the reference line and place the vertical
tape at the measured distance.
- Measure from the reference on the floor to the right headlamp bulb centerline.
- At the screen, measure from the reference line and place the vertical
tape at the measured distance.
Important: DO NOT cover the headlamp, this may cause
excessive heat buildup.
- Turn on the low beam headlamps and block the light from projecting onto the
screen from the passenger side headlamp.
- In order to adjust the horizontal aim, remove the
horizontal aiming hold cap (2) and insert the screwdriver (3) and turn the horizontal
headlamp adjusting screw (4).
- In order to adjust the vertical aim, remove the horizontal aiming hold
cap (1) and insert the screwdriver (3) and turn the vertical headlamp adjusting screw
(4).
- Repeat the aiming procedure for the passenger side headlamp while blocking
the light from projecting onto the screen from the driver side headlamp.
- Turn the headlamps OFF.
- Close the hood
