TRS Tips: How to Adjust Headlights for the Perfect Aim!
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- Опубликовано: 12 авг 2015
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No matter how easy modern headlight replacement kits make installation, there are a few critical skills every do-it-yourselfer needs to know - such as how to aim headlights. Once your retrofit is complete, you'll almost always find that the beam pattern needs to be adjusted. Whether you’re wondering what’s the proper headlight adjustment height for your truck or what’s the optimal car headlight beam pattern, a little knowledge can go a long way.
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Watch the video for tips on how to adjust projector headlights, and read on as we go over a few important points of reference to make sure your newly retrofitted headlights are aimed just right!
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Getting Started
There are a few simple tools you’ll typically require to complete a DIY headlight alignment. Before we start our tutorial on how to adjust projector headlights, make sure you have some masking tape, a tape measure, and a screwdriver or socket wrench handy.
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Aiming Height
Adjusting headlight height to the optimal level is the first step to improving visibility, beam quality, and on-road safety. Parked 25 feet away from a wall, the upper cutoff line of the headlight beam should be just underneath the side view mirrors of an average passenger vehicle. This will ensure maximum distance lighting without being too high, thus risking glaring oncoming traffic.
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Setting Side to Side
The second most critical action in learning how to adjust projector headlights is making sure both sides are properly aimed and balanced. Squarely park 25 feet away from a wall with a clean visible surface. Measure the distance between the two projectors on the front of your vehicle, and ensure that the distance between the steps in the beam pattern on the wall matches that. The center point between the beam's steps should match the center point between the projectors. This will ensure maximum width, without compromising any intensity in the center. It will also give you more distance on your side of the road while cutting the light on the side of oncoming traffic (due to the rising shape of the beam).
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Ask the Experts
Learning how to align headlights yourself is another important, yet easy-to-master skill for the DIY retrofitter. If after watching this video you’re still unsure about how to aim the projector headlights you purchased from TRS, let us know, and we’ll be happy to help. As the leading source for premium automotive lighting on the internet, we offer our customers additional installation instructions and resources as well as technical support from knowledgeable live representatives. We’re real auto enthusiasts who use these products on the vehicles we own, and we are experienced at adjusting the headlight aim for virtually any application.
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I started aiming my lights while watching this, next thing you know im on the freeway.
LOL!
@@RetrofitSource I think what he means is that you start out SOUNDING like a how to video, then it's just done without much explanation. Which part of the step are we measuring? High corner to corner? Low to low? Middle to middle?
Lost in the Ozone again
I used this video 4 years ago for aligning my car headlights and was shocked initially how far my headlights lit the road right after the procedure (yes, my headlights were a mess before that). I was worried as there was just no way that could be ok with oncoming drivers. Yet not a single driver ever signaled me for getting blinded for all those 4 years. Thank you!
Very practical and short video without over complications, thanks mate!
For sure!
My low beam aligned perfectly, but when I cut off my high beam of right projector gone too up please help me
This is the best precise way ever told by anyone on RUclips 👍
Thanks!
When measuring front of vehicle, it looks like you are measuring from outside to outside of each headlight, but when marking on the wall, it looks like you are marking inside dimension or maybe center point? Which is it? Thanks!
Im trying to fix the "focus" of my lens, because one illuminates the road preatty clear and the other one doesnt. Any tip on how to make the other one illuminate as well?
Matt, it's great to see you guys are on RUclips. Of the years and years I've known about you, I never thought to look on RUclips! I'm still waiting for you guys to come up with some kit for MKV Jettas! ;)
Thanks Muhammad! We have lots of products for the MKV Jettas, maybe not specific ones, but products that would definitely work.
So much better than forums, the old pictures are missing most of the time.
That is one deep azz garage!
Best advice ever. Great tips and tricks. Thank you. Fantastic straight to the point and very clear on instructions. Thank you
You're welcome!
My passenger side is slightly above the driver side. I’ve tried shimming the bulb, but still looks off. What else can I try to get them lined up?
отличная работа!
Darn, that's a sharp cutoff!
LED bulbs give a very crisp cutoff
Who makes that particular brand of aftermarket sealed 5x7 headlight...it does have any excellent beam pattern! @@ViperGTS737
So if you have a led with a rotatable base plate, do you face the leds horizontal or vertically for the best/brightest beam pattern on a projector? Have a projector that takes a standard h7 halogen bulb but switched to and h7 led bulb instead.
Yes you still want them facing at the 3 & 9 position.
Hi. At minute 1:48, how many inches from the ground is the cutoff light beam (particularly from blue tape on the left side)?
Hello, this is one of our older videos and that data is no longer available. We also changed location two years ago, this was filmed at you old building.
oh ok i see, but i have a problem with my halo lights they don't shoot out far like the max i can see in front of me is like 8 feet? is it a wiring problem or it's not giving out power to the head lights? Can someone help me out.
How could I just it the the screws are already striped doesn't adjust ?
I am doing the retrofit for my first time, and I want to learn everything about it, so this it’s a good tip
You're welcome, reach out if you have any other questions! support@theretrofitsource.com
just curious, as far as the drivers side light is concerned, where should the "step" be in relation to the bulb itself? Thanks
I have an 03 Dodge 1500 and the adjustment he showed does side to side. There is one on the bottom to do the up and down. Just found this out. Had to remove the whole ass'y to replace a turn signal and there it was. :-D
Since each beam pattern's top has this crooked horizontal "step" (which are like 2 inches apart in height), do you measure everything from the low horizontal one (left) or the high one (right)?
Hey Thanos, if you want to send us an email we can help with that - Support@TheRetrofitSource.com
Technically, your headlights should be on the same level. The only difference is that the step is more obvious on the driver side, since the light helps fill out the passenger side beam. Shoot us an email so we can help further!
Can you explain the staircase-shape that the light is projecting? I have it on my 06 WRX & I’m trying to raise my lights but I can’t seem to & the staircase-shape is making it so I can’t see afar. My lights are pointed pretty low for some reason & even when adjusting the bulbs & direction, it doesn’t seem to help & it stays this stair-shape as it points really low making it impossible to see anything.any advice?
It's to keep the beam out of oncoming traffic's eye. The raised step allows you to see further down road, and the lower part of the step keeps that beam below the eyes of traffic. It actually helps you see further :)
this is very helpful but now i have another problem when i turned the up/down adjuster i think i made too tunr much and now my headlight is not moving anymore
if you turned it too fsr outward, yoi can tighten it all the way so it screws back into the housing. then you can adjust outeard again once the screw goes in. if that doesnt work youll have to look inside and manually try to line up the adjustment screw and the housing
Did you just drive off without finishing your explanation?? You must know my wife!!
LOL!!!
You made it look easy. I'm having a hard time getting my lights to move side to side...but thanks for the video.
You can do it, keep working at it.
@@RetrofitSource thanks......this is my first set of projector headlights and after adjusting them ...I can actually see now....lol......it's so weird seeing the light cutoff on the door of other cars while driving.......I have a little more adjusting to do, but almost done..👍
@@r_s1776 alot of headlights do not have side to side adjustment, only up and down
I'm eventually doing a complete projector HID retrofit with your products... When I'm ready to adjust the beam pattern, do the projectors have adjustment screws?
The Creationman The projectors do not, but you'll mount them to the stock reflectors - which have some adjustability to them
TheRetrofitSource Inc Alright thanks!
I'll make sure to study hard on your tutorial vids for what I'm doing when I'm ready to retrofit
The Creationman Great man! just let us know if you need any more help
The Creationman yip they sure do normally at the back like a nut or socket type
can you please tell me where is the adjustment screw on a 2012 ford escape headlight?
I would, but, you've probably traded it by now.
Legend has it he's still standing in front of his car with the hood open waiting for a reply so he can move on with his life.
Question I lifted my Tacoma 3/2 block lift I asked the shop who did the lift he said he never had a issue with it. How do I know it’s the right height?
However much you lifted that truck, you will want to lower the beam so that it is not in peoples eyes. Unfortunately, since the truck is not the stock ride height, you will never be able to have a beam that will aim the exact same as those OEM headlights. Let us know if you have any other questions, have a great day!
anyone know matt email from the retrofit store?
What is the height of the beam at 25' away? What is the height of the side view mirrors used? Obviously they are different from car to car, or truck to truck.
It changes from vehicle to vehicle you could measure or eyeball it.
I was lil bit confuse when you adjust the right headlight the left pattern moves
Sorry about that He was referring his left and your right.
Awesome Intel...Thank you! 🙌
The drivers side (RHD) light is on the lower side by default and I don't really see a screw to make them even. Should I set the motor level to the highest & set the headlights at the same level before trying to install a projector pair?!
There should definitely be some sort of manual adjustment, almost every vehicle (if not every single vehicle) made has a vertical height adjustment built in. It is however fairly common to be missing a side/side adjuster
Thanks. I'm trying hard but still no luck finding that. Maybe I should try to look into the manual. The car is Lacetti sedan/Chevy optra/Gentra. Yeah, there are too many names.
How far should the car stand from the wall?
25 Ft
Is there a video for the Morimoto xb led gen 2 for 2019 Tacoma TRD Off Road ? I have an insanely weird beam at 25 feet. I need help bad !! Thank you
Compare to the beam pattern in this video from Headlight Revolution: ruclips.net/video/zqQ0zca3CD0/видео.html
If you are unable to adjust, send us some pictures to our email so we can help!
Support@theretrofitsource.com
@@RetrofitSource I get taken to the website and not email when I click that link. I have some pics to send you so you can help me set my light beam.
Do any headligh project like that is it the light or the headlight??
That is a projector headlight with a proper cutoff line. They look very sharp!
How about if the lights wont go any higher, but the lights are too low? What do you do? The knob where you put the screw driver to go up it's already max out and still low?
At that point, something would be broken or mis-aligned if its a retrofit. You would need to look closer at what is going on.
@@RetrofitSource I bought the projector from motorsports.
My screw adjusters for left and right adjustement is not working anymore, everytime i turn the screws it snaps like the projectors don't want to follow the adjuster. I think i over twist the screw before.
Shoot us an email at support@theretrofitsource.com
while aiming should it be in high beam or low beem
In low beam!
the h4 adaptor align the projector lens not on the straight line on my Ecosport headlamps with RHD,so i had to grind the projection in the h4 adaptor to rotate the lens freely. that means the h4 adaptors are not universal ?? why dont TRS think of providing adjustable h4 adaptors so that we can freely rotate before locking the position. i had glue it down after finishing the rotation. thats a negative...
You have to end up JB welding that adapter and the projector back end into the reflector to insure a solid structure or it can start getting loose over time.
@@Super6-Four yes thats correct. thats what i did.
Could you guys do this for the new 2018 f150 Morimoto xb led headlights
GAVSTANG1 and Tacoma headlights 👍🏼
what led light bar is that?
big ass one
D bag edition
Wish mine can be that easy to adjust. 05 Honda Accord pain in the ass
I'm here looking for a 7th Gen Accord too. We only have up-down adjustment.
Same rules apply for a motorcycle?
Yep!
What song is that at the end? Definitely worthy of kof.
Darude - Sandstorm
@@RetrofitSource definitely not the same song. Lol
In your car switch for adjust on driver side
exactly
No video on side x side for 2014 GMC Sierra that I can find (not the only one looking ) up & down is easy ...Thanks
Sorry, we don't have access to one of these trucks to make a video for it! :(
Easy headlights to adjust...
1:18 great music, what is it?
My projectors sort of disperse light everywhere. Not really defined like yours. Any ideas why?
Because those have CLEAR lenses for retrofits. Typically the ones that come from factory have FRESNEL lenses
What kind of projectors are they Ray?
TheRetrofitSource Inc what headlights are on this yj ?
+1@@RetrofitSource
My headlights were equally as far away from each other at 25 ft as they are on the car, but when I am at greater than 25 feet the focal points begin to get closer to each other. Is this normal or should they be parallel to infinity?
Yes, that is normal.
I’ve been trying to adjust one of my lights beam but when I try to raise it, the beams stays in the same place. But it does go lower. Does anyone know why that happens?
It is maxed out.
@@RetrofitSource but it’s still pointing to low. Is there a way to make it point higher
Unbolt the headlight and tilt it up as much as possible and bolt it down again. Works sometimes.
Those shoes tho!! What shoes are u wearing Matt?
That was a long time ago, he has since upgraded his shoes😂 😂
Can I put LEDs in my projector housing??
You can, depending on the quality of the LED and how well it re-creates the beam pattern! Typically we suggest the Morimoto 2stroke 3.0 LEDs for those type of applicaitons.
hi i need to know the cutoff shape i see it in audi and some other cars like
/''''''""''"''''''''
that ,,,,,,,,,,,,,/''''''""'"''
It is LHD the right headlight is more higher than the driver headlight
but in the d2s 4 morimoto projecters r different ......../''""""'''......../'''''''''why sir?? and i need to know which is better???..thanks
H danielle the reason why the left side dips lower (like the picture you posted) is due to further reduce glare for oncoming traffic. In the United States cars all drivers are on the left side, so oncoming traffic drivers coming from the opposite end of you will be in the left side.
My Audi has the same pattern. It's called a deep beam. Headlights are bright from a distance but as you approach the car the beam seeps so other drivers aren't blinded. Example of horrible protectors can be found on fords and Toyotas.
How many inches is it from the floor to the cutoff line???
Floor to center of light. Mine is 27.5" mark the wall at the same height.
Usually they are around 25-27 inches. That being said, You'll want to really fine tune them to fit your specific vehicle and needs.
What hapen if I remove the foil that makes that line in my headlights
Bought a Morimoto B35 Xenon kit with H7 5,500k pure white bulbs from some guy for only $40 with the hardness and in excellent condition... Let me tell you, Morimoto are the top notch BEST! At only 35w these xenon light output is very bright as hell and very sharp. No need for the 55w kit.... This is enough power to see bright, clearly and fart away! Worth as the quality is the best!
Glad to hear you've liked them so much! Please let us know if we can do anything for you in the future!
Brights or dims?
always adjust with your dims.
do you still have those shoes?
He doesn't unfortunately😂
Great tip Matt
Thanks. @1.25 - How did you make sure that's the distance between headlights or that's the center piont?
We measured the distance between the projectors on the front of the Jeep with a tape measure, then matched that
Thanks for replying. I can see that you measured the distance on the jeep, but how do I match that on the wall?
TheRetrofitSource Inc Hey, any help on my question. Once I measured the distance between the projectors, how do I match it on the wall? There must be a centre point on the wall which matches the centre point between the projector to do so. Does that make sense or am simply making it too complicated? Thanks so much!
I still didnt unserstand at 1.42 when there were 2 cut offs. Which side you raised so it became one cutoff
Whichever side needs to come up more.
@@RetrofitSource thanks for the reply i raised my headlight but still i am having 2 cuts off not like this dont know may be its due to side to side adjustment is not right or something else
Try some horizontal adjustment! (:
What is a projector?
It focuses the bright light from an HID or LED light source into a well defined beam pattern to illuminate the road in front of your vehicle. The most effective way to improve the performance of any headlight. www.theretrofitsource.com/projector-kits/hid-led-projectors.html
How would I adjust the rotation on my mini h1 retrofit on my camaro?
islesrule123 Remove front lense, loosen Projector nut, rotate projector to correct axis, retighten projector nut, reinstall lens.
Why are the lines straight tho? Compared to others
Since HID are much brighter a proper retrofit with projectors will have a sharp cutoff as to not glare oncoming traffic. This issue is most apparent when people take a regular Halogen (yellow) headlight and put a HID kit in them without fitting a projector. That new bright light gets scattered all over the place and blinds oncoming traffic.
are the headlights supposed to have that “zig zag” looking pattern? I just installed mine and they bug my ocd lol
Yes, they are! What you're seeing is a DOT-compliant beam pattern, with step-ups in the beam pattern to prevent blinding oncoming traffic.
Is this adjustment made with high beam or low beam? Maybe I missed it but no one ever seems to address this in their videos. I've watched 20 of these IDENTICAL headlight adjustment videos and NOT ONE mention of high or low beam.
The adjustments need to be made in the low beam position. Once you have the low beam adjusted properly, always make sure to test the high beam to make sure they remained aligned as well.
@@RetrofitSource Hey man, thats answered my question. I would assume that you do the adjustment while using the low beams but man... I don't ever want to assume, ya know. OK, thanks for the quick reply, I'm going headlight adjustin' tonight !
So are your headlights cross-eyed? You adjusted the passenger side in the video, but the beam on the driver side moved. Is it supposed to be like that??
What did he say for rotation?
If you are doing a retrofit, you will need to make sure that the headlights rotation is aligned, as that will not be something that can be easily adjusted using the the adjuster screws.
@@RetrofitSource shop installed it to me a bit tilted...
If it is tilted enough to be unsafe, they may be able to re-do that build for you! You will have to reach out to them for that though!
@@RetrofitSource thanks
im wondering why do the top sharp line of the projector lights have a flat line then a curve? mine are a bit diff. the top line when i shine my headlights on a wall shows a zig zag shape. anyone know why?
camaroiowaguy23 it's all in the design. Depending on if you're in a RHD or LHD country, the cutoff will zig zag the low side on the side incoming traffic is so it doesn't blind them. The curve is due to the round shape of your projector.
@@ryanmoore7927 Would changing the lens or projector or swapping them over change the direction or the dip? I need them swapped for UK use.
@@Kolvorok yes, the retrofit source has pretty much anything you would need. If they're cheaper headlights, the lens is most likely the issue.
@@ryanmoore7927 Hi Ryan, what does the package contain? Mine are the original LED projectors that came with a 2015 Toyota Prius Plugin. I am being quoted ridiculous numbers to swap the over with their mirror image for UK roads. Is there any other way, like replacing an internal part, modifying them, or replacing only one of the two to obtain a "flat" beam from two complementary lights. Also do you know if you can swap in the Halogen headlights to replace the LED, they are significantly cheaper and I do't really like the LED light anyway (my eyes adapt to the brighter part they illuminate and the rest looks pitch dark).
@@ryanmoore7927 thanks. just seen a lot of videos that only show flat lines. and yea i noticed mine has a lower cutoff to the oncomming car side. but this zigzag ill admit makes it a bit hard to adjust leveling. id set it where i thought it should go then i get brighted by cars. i set it lower to avoid blinding people and i cant see down the highway. smh lol
My 94 Escort headlight takes a 4mm socket.
tiny tiny!
Distance from car to the wall?
You want to be spaced about 24ft away from the wall.
@@RetrofitSource ok tq sir
This Video is informative
And what if you don't have 25 feet to mess with? Where is the conversion table for this?
Pull up behind your local Walmart!
PLEASE HELP* is it normal to have the left headlight beam lower even if the beam is completely flat? (because of that slight slant) as you can see in the video. my right side is fine since its rotationally aligned but because of that slight slant of the left side, i can't see as far on my left side as i do on my right side. it looks like similar to this. ____/-------- and on the road it's really bothering me. i didnt think that slight slant would effect how much i dont see. (morimoto mini d2s 4.0 from TRS)
I think, it could be normal. May be your car has an 'ECE' light pattern instead of the 'DOT' pattern
Simpleee
👌🏻👌🏻
So I'm in a huge conflict, I own a 2006 Ram. And everyone who owns a 3rd gen Ram, knows that they have a poorly designed headlight. Not much you get out of them even with a quality led bulb. Not sure if that has to do with the H13 High/Low or with the reflectors. I'm looking into a morimoto retrofit with a 55watt HID System or the new AlphaRexx Pro series that comes with stock H7 Halogens and then just getting a HID conversion. I feel having one high projector and one low beam I might have more output out in front of me. Help!!!!!!
I can tell you one thing right off the bat, you will be much better off going with the projector retrofit kit, as that will get you more usable light output down the road, and will be cheaper than going with the Alpharex housings and an HID kit! I have linked the healight retrofit kit I would recommend for you below, let us know if you have any other questions!
Link: www.theretrofitsource.com/bixenon-morimoto-mini-d2s-stage-3-CRK-D2S?quantity=1
He didn't explain what is the HEIGHT of the light cutoff gonna be from 25 feet car distance from the wall
@shihab alburtmani thanks!
Why are they not level all the way across?
The US uses a DOT or ECE beam pattern, meaning the driver-side cut-off sits at a lower point than the passenger side. There is a "step" in the middle of the lights that allow for this effect to happen. They're engineered to keep lights out of oncoming traffic, preventing blinding other drivers.
The last comment.
🤔
Headlight Revolution I say no more
huh?
Yeah I have to take my headlights out to adjust them which sucks
Gotta love that!
I had ebay projectors on my old Chevy cobalt. I had the same problem. Effin annoying...never got them adjusted right...ended up getting a better set with the adjuster on top...
التبديل إلى العربية
I think the lenses Q5 be Kait Of Blue sharp candle if they are genuine just like me in my car Yukon 2012 adapters with Denso Spark Phelps and lenses Q5
Chevy CANYON?
You can follow the same instructions here, just need to locate the adjustment screw on the back of the light!
😊😊😊
👏🏼😎
This was not a very helpful video.... I believe you just made it so you can show off your Jeep headlights
Agreed lol
Adjustments right in the front. How convenient. Lol. Most of us have to remove the front bumper cover and if its an aftermarket projector Headlight, we have to remove it as well since the adjustment bolts are on the backside. Over and over until its right. Normally never is.
What headlights have you had to remove in order to aim? Most headlight housings can be aimed vertically with out removing the housing.
@@RetrofitSource 2006 Lexus is250 after market projector headlights.
Do you know from what brand? They still should be able to be aimed without removal.
@@RetrofitSource same with Spec D and Spyder
Who has the time to perfectly adjust their headlights??? I’m alway in a Rush busy all day long
Who has the time to look up a headlight adjusting video if they are so busy?
Fact: Proper elevation adjustment of headlights is based on 2 inches of drop (from level) at 25 feet from the vehicle. This is DOT standard. Easy to find on google. But hey, lets just make some shit up tell people that. But, but, am I still cool ?? I'm still cool though , right?
Chrysler 200!!
I see the directional arrows for up/down but no screw holes or any other indicators from thes forums.
I hate dealerships.
Somone send a puc so i know what to do.
Frustrated!
Sorry Brad, The dealer or a local independent shop might be your best bet. Have you checked the owners manual?
Glad my Audi has auto leveling lights.
I love those things!
The video was not much help, but at least the instructor was hot.
Well at least we got it half right! Thanks for watching. If you still have questions on aiming your headlights feel free to reach out and we'll do our best to get you taken care of.
How did you get +800 dislikes
Haters 😢
Because he won't say what song this is! ☹
" Shouldn't hit the side view mirrors of oncoming traffic".... Am I the only one that acknowledges cars have different ride heights.. especially in 2023?
If you go in a parking lot and measure side view mirrors from the ground, you'll get measurements from 28" all the way to 48" from the mirror to the ground. That's more than a foot you can be off by!
I wish someone could have an easy rule of thumb for all cars & trucks... Not everyone is in 1930 driving a model T..
Understandable most trucks will sit higher than most cars, but think about it like you're trying to aim to avoid blinding your mom in the Camry in front of you!
Wait wtf just happened
Huh?
Lol sorry I thought I was commenting on a different page.
There’s no such thing as a socket wrench. It’s a ratchet
There are slip ups when filming, nothing new it happens even in Hollywood.
Wtf?
???
@@RetrofitSource sorry for my bad mouth , information is not sufficient enough as to where to do the adjustment
Extremely poor video on how to adjust headlight. The only thing that he mentioned was the tape measure, masking tape, and screw driver, that I remember.
What did we miss that you would expect in this kind of video?