Headlamp Aiming

1. The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming system. The aim has been preset at the factory and should need no further adjustment.

   If the vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp aim may be affected and adjustment may be necessary.

   Re-aim the headlamps as described in the following procedure.

2. The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:
   • The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps are 7.6 m (25 ft) from a light colored wall or other flat surface.
   • The vehicle must have all 4 tires on a level surface which is level all the way to the wall or other flat surface.
   • The vehicle should be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall or other flat surface.
   • The vehicle should not have any snow, ice, or mud on it.
   • The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other work stopped while headlamp aiming is being performed.
   • The vehicle should be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one person or 75 kg (160 lb) sitting on the drivers seat.
   • The tires should be properly inflated.
   • The spare tire is in its original location in the vehicle.

Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicles low-beam headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly. To adjust the vertical aim, do the following:

1. Open the hood.
Fig 1: Hood Front View
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
2. Find the center line running through the lens of the headlamp.
3. Measure the distance from the ground to the center line running through the lens of the headlamp. Record the distance.
4. At the wall or other flat surface, measure from the ground upward the recorded distance from step 5 and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line the width of the vehicle at the wall or other flat surface where it was marked.
CAUTION:

Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may cause excessive heat build-up which may cause damage to the headlamp.

6. Turn ON the low-beam headlamps and place a piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the headlamp not being aimed. This should allow only the beam of light from the headlamp being aimed to be seen on the flat surface.
Fig 2: Aiming Headlamp On Flat Surface
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws, which are under the hood near each headlamp assembly.

   The adjustment screw can be turned with a phillips screwdriver.

Fig 3: View of Headlamp
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlamp beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. If you turn it clockwise, it will raise the beam and if you turn it counterclockwise, it will lower the beam.

   The top edge of the cut-off should be positioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal tape line.

9. Repeat for the opposite headlamp.