adjusting headlights
12-16-2002, 08:56 AM
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adjusting headlights
i have inspection in few days and i know my headlights dont shine wehre they should ... how are they suppsoe to be? any way i can adjust them myself.i know how but how do i know i did it right...
12-16-2002, 09:08 AM
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Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Prius 2006 Suzuki SV650S
TIBURON PROJECTOR BEAM HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Tiburon 1997
TIBURON PROJECTOR BEAM HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT
DESCRIPTION:
The Tiburon is equipped with projector beam low beam headlights. The most notable characteristic of projector beam headlights is the sharp cut-off at the top of the beam.
The design of the projector beam headlight was developed in Europe, where strict beam cut-off requirements are intended to reduce glare for on-coming traffic. When the headlights are reflected off of a white surface, you might be able to detect a slight violet shift in the light at the cut-off line. This is a function of the projector lens and how it refracts different light colors at slightly different angles.
Tiburon Beam Pattern
Standard Headlight Beam Pattern
Headlights have commonly been aimed through a series of flats on the headlight lens, in conjunction with the shape of the reflector. The projector beam headlight uses a poly-ellipsoid reflector, a cut-off screen, and a sharply focused projector lens, which requires a different aiming procedure.
The light from the bulb in the projector beam headlight bounces off of the polyellipsoid reflectors, passes through the secondary focal point, and is focused by the projector lens. The cut-off screen blocks the light above the cut-off line. The lens focuses the light onto the road, "projecting" it forward.
HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT:
The sharp cut-off at the top of the beam makes headlight misadjustment more noticeable during night time driving. The headlights incorporate built-in alignment indicators, making routine adjustments easier. Follow the steps below for proper adjustment:
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Bounce the suspension to settle it, both front-to-back and side-to-side.
Turn the adjusters until the vertical indicator is level and the horizontal indicator is centered.
NOTE
Normally this should be done with a full tank of gas in an empty vehicle, but if the vehicle is to be driven a long ways with a heavy load, a temporary adjustment can be made with the vehicle loaded.
HEADLIGHT INDICATOR CALIBRATION:
If the built in alignment indicators have been tampered with, the headlights can be recalibrated with the following procedure:
NOTE
If using headlight aimer equipment, such as the Hoppy Vision 1, European standards must be utilized to align projector beam headlamps. Other Hyundai vehicles continue to utilize U.S. specifications to align the headlamps.
Carefully position the vehicle in the level alignment bay, with the fuel tank full and the vehicle empty. Any accessories that will normally be mounted to the vehicle should be in place. The battery should be fully charged.
Tiburon 1997
TIBURON PROJECTOR BEAM HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT
DESCRIPTION:
The Tiburon is equipped with projector beam low beam headlights. The most notable characteristic of projector beam headlights is the sharp cut-off at the top of the beam.
The design of the projector beam headlight was developed in Europe, where strict beam cut-off requirements are intended to reduce glare for on-coming traffic. When the headlights are reflected off of a white surface, you might be able to detect a slight violet shift in the light at the cut-off line. This is a function of the projector lens and how it refracts different light colors at slightly different angles.
Tiburon Beam Pattern
Standard Headlight Beam Pattern
Headlights have commonly been aimed through a series of flats on the headlight lens, in conjunction with the shape of the reflector. The projector beam headlight uses a poly-ellipsoid reflector, a cut-off screen, and a sharply focused projector lens, which requires a different aiming procedure.
The light from the bulb in the projector beam headlight bounces off of the polyellipsoid reflectors, passes through the secondary focal point, and is focused by the projector lens. The cut-off screen blocks the light above the cut-off line. The lens focuses the light onto the road, "projecting" it forward.
HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT:
The sharp cut-off at the top of the beam makes headlight misadjustment more noticeable during night time driving. The headlights incorporate built-in alignment indicators, making routine adjustments easier. Follow the steps below for proper adjustment:
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Bounce the suspension to settle it, both front-to-back and side-to-side.
Turn the adjusters until the vertical indicator is level and the horizontal indicator is centered.
NOTE
Normally this should be done with a full tank of gas in an empty vehicle, but if the vehicle is to be driven a long ways with a heavy load, a temporary adjustment can be made with the vehicle loaded.
HEADLIGHT INDICATOR CALIBRATION:
If the built in alignment indicators have been tampered with, the headlights can be recalibrated with the following procedure:
NOTE
If using headlight aimer equipment, such as the Hoppy Vision 1, European standards must be utilized to align projector beam headlamps. Other Hyundai vehicles continue to utilize U.S. specifications to align the headlamps.
Carefully position the vehicle in the level alignment bay, with the fuel tank full and the vehicle empty. Any accessories that will normally be mounted to the vehicle should be in place. The battery should be fully charged.
12-16-2002, 09:10 AM
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Bounce the suspension a few times to settle it, both front-to-back and side-to-side.
Turn the ignition key to the "on" position and turn the low beam lights on (fog lights must be off).
Align the lights so the upper step on the top of the beam is aligned with the measurement points on the wall.
Double check the vehicle positioning, suspension settling, and beam aim.
Loosen the locking screw on the horizontal indicators, align the indicator plate to the pointer, and retighten the locking screw.
Remove the three screws retaining the plastic cover over the vertical adjuster indicator, and remove the cover.
Turn the front screw on the bubble indicator in or out to position the bubble over the center of the indicator.
Once adjusted, reposition the plastic cover and reinstall the screws.
Turn the ignition key to the "on" position and turn the low beam lights on (fog lights must be off).
Align the lights so the upper step on the top of the beam is aligned with the measurement points on the wall.
Double check the vehicle positioning, suspension settling, and beam aim.
Loosen the locking screw on the horizontal indicators, align the indicator plate to the pointer, and retighten the locking screw.
Remove the three screws retaining the plastic cover over the vertical adjuster indicator, and remove the cover.
Turn the front screw on the bubble indicator in or out to position the bubble over the center of the indicator.
Once adjusted, reposition the plastic cover and reinstall the screws.
12-16-2002, 09:12 AM
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For 1998-1999
HEADLIGHT AIMING ADJUSTMENT
Before performing aiming adjustment, make sure of the following.
Keep all tires inflated to the correct pressure.
Place the vehicle on level ground and press the front bumper & rear bumper down several times.
See that the vehicle is unloaded (except for full levels of coolant, engine oil and fuel, and spare tire, jack and tools).
Clean the head lights lens and turn on the headlight (Lower beam).
Open the hood.
Adjust the vertical indicator by turning the adjusting bolt with a Phillips screwdriver.
The bubble in the gauge should be in line with the reference line.
Adjust the horizontal indicator by turning the adjusting gear with a Phillips screwdriver.
The indicator should be in line with the "O" line.
ADJUSTMENT AFTER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT
If the vehicle has had front body repair and the headlight assembly has been replaced, the headlight aiming should be checked using the timing chart as shown in the illustration. Turn on the headlight switch (Low Beam Position).
Adjust headlights so that main axis of light is parallel to center line of the body and is aligned with point P shown in the illustration.
Dotted lines in the illustration show center of headlights.
"H" : Horizontal center line of headlights from ground. 23.3 in (593 mm : With driver)
"W" : Distance between each headlight center. 42.1 in (1070 mm)
"L" : Distance between the headlights and the wall that the lights are tested against. 118.11 in (3,000 mm)
Even if the horizontal indicator does not align with the reference line or the vertical indicator bubble is not centered in the reference line after aiming by the chart, it is acceptable if they are within the O.K. ranges.
HEADLIGHT AIMING ADJUSTMENT
Before performing aiming adjustment, make sure of the following.
Keep all tires inflated to the correct pressure.
Place the vehicle on level ground and press the front bumper & rear bumper down several times.
See that the vehicle is unloaded (except for full levels of coolant, engine oil and fuel, and spare tire, jack and tools).
Clean the head lights lens and turn on the headlight (Lower beam).
Open the hood.
Adjust the vertical indicator by turning the adjusting bolt with a Phillips screwdriver.
The bubble in the gauge should be in line with the reference line.
Adjust the horizontal indicator by turning the adjusting gear with a Phillips screwdriver.
The indicator should be in line with the "O" line.
ADJUSTMENT AFTER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT
If the vehicle has had front body repair and the headlight assembly has been replaced, the headlight aiming should be checked using the timing chart as shown in the illustration. Turn on the headlight switch (Low Beam Position).
Adjust headlights so that main axis of light is parallel to center line of the body and is aligned with point P shown in the illustration.
Dotted lines in the illustration show center of headlights.
"H" : Horizontal center line of headlights from ground. 23.3 in (593 mm : With driver)
"W" : Distance between each headlight center. 42.1 in (1070 mm)
"L" : Distance between the headlights and the wall that the lights are tested against. 118.11 in (3,000 mm)
Even if the horizontal indicator does not align with the reference line or the vertical indicator bubble is not centered in the reference line after aiming by the chart, it is acceptable if they are within the O.K. ranges.