63 10... Test requirements for headlights vertical aim adjustment

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW X5 M, 2012 BMW X5 M, 2011 BMW X5 M, and 2010 BMW X5 M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

IMPORTANT: Do not perform headlight adjustment immediately after lowering the vehicle on the vehicle hoist. In this case, move the vehicle for approx. 15 m on its own wheels before adjustment.

Refer to the operating instructions for the headlight adjustment device.
Park vehicle on flat and even surface.
Replace faulty glass and mirrors and blackened light bulbs.
Correct adjustment of headlights in relation to engine compartment lid (gap dimensions).
Check tyre pressure and correct if necessary.

Only halogen headlight, fog light and headlight for Dynamic Light Spot:

Apply load equivalent to one person on driver's seat (approx. 75 kg).
Vehicle with full fuel tank or appropriate additional weight in luggage compartment.
Switch the ignition on.
Manual headlight beam throw adjustment: Move handwheel to neutral position (1).
Light switch must be in "low beam/driving light" position (3).
Do not carry out the headlight adjustment in the "automatic driving lights control" light switch position (2).
Version with Xenon or LED (automatic headlight beam throw adjustment): Wait 80 s after switching on lights. During this time, do not move the vehicle and avoid vibrations.

Fig 1: Identifying Handwheel Neutral Position, Low Beam/Driving Light Position And Light Switch Position
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Do not move the vehicle and steering wheel during the measuring and adjustment procedures!

IMPORTANT: A correct measurement/adjustment requires exact positioning of the headlight adjustment device!
This applies to all headlights!

Place the headlight adjustment device (1) centred in front of the vehicle.

Distance to the headlight: 30 - 50 cm

Position the headlight adjustment device (1) vertically to the vehicle longitudinal axis. For this purpose, the laser beam (2) must hit two suitable points, e.g. points marked with arrows.

Fig 2: Identifying Headlight Adjustment Device And Laser Beam Striking Points

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Points must be vehicle proof!
Trim panels are not suitable!

If the headlight adjustment device (1) does not have a laser beam (1), complete the alignment analogous with the line in the mirror.

The centre of the collecting lens (1) must match the centre of headlight (2) horizontally.

Corrections are made by raising or lowering the headlight adjustment device.

Fig 3: Aligning Center Of Collecting Lens Horizontally With Center Of Headlight

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fig 4: Identifying Proper And Improper Position Of Headlight Adjusting Device

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

When positioned correctly, the light/dark boundary of the headlight (marked with arrow) must hit the collecting lens of the adjusting device in the centre:

The headlight adjusting device is too low.
The headlight adjusting device is positioned correctly.
The headlight adjusting device is too high.

The centre of the collecting lens (1) must match the centre of headlight (2) vertically.

Corrections are made by sliding the side of the headlight adjusting device to the left or right.

Fig 5: Aligning Center Of Collecting Lens Vertically With Center Of Headlight

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fig 6: Identifying Headlight Vertical Aim Adjustment

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: The figure shows an example for the transparent screen of halogen headlights.

OVERVIEW OF TRANSPARENT SCREENS OF DIFFERENT HEADLIGHT TYPES.

Set marker line {M} on aimer to {e}. Scale graduations on aimer are equal to a gradient in cm at a distance of 10 meters.

Light/dark boundary of headlights in headlight aimer

{e} Setting dimension, headlights:
- Value is indicated on the headlight housing and on the type plate of the vehicle in %.
  (e.g.: 1.0 % = -10 cm/10 m = - 1.0 % on the headlight adjusting device)
- The value 1.0 % (adjustment value - 1.0 %) applies to all BMW Group vehicles.
- Exception: E53, E70, E71, E72, E83, R60, R61. The value 1.1 % (adjustment value - 1.1 %) applies to these vehicles.
Setting dimension, fog lights:
- The value 2.0 % = -20 cm/10 m = - 2.0 % on the headlight adjusting device applies to all BMW Group vehicles.
{H} Height of centre of headlight above parking surface.
{h} {H} - {e} = height of marking line above parking surface
+ Central mark = centre point of high beam headlight.
{M} Marker line of the headlight adjustment device
{S} Standing surface of the vehicle and headlight adjustment device

Adjustment dimension {e} is only valid for EUR. Observe differing national regulations.

IMPORTANT: Do not perform headlight adjustment immediately after lowering the vehicle on the vehicle hoist. In this case, move the vehicle for approx. 15 m on its own wheels before adjustment.

Refer to the operating instructions for the headlight adjustment device
Park vehicle on flat and even surface.
Replace faulty glass and mirrors and blackened light bulbs.
Correct adjustment of headlights in relation to engine compartment lid (gap dimensions).
Check tyre pressure and correct if necessary.

Only halogen headlight, fog light and headlight for Dynamic Light Spot:

Apply load equivalent to one person on driver's seat (approx. 75 kg).
Vehicle with full fuel tank or appropriate additional weight in luggage compartment.
Switch the ignition on.
Manual headlight beam throw adjustment: Move handwheel to neutral position (1).
Light switch must be in "low beam/driving light" position (3).
Do not carry out the headlight adjustment in the "automatic driving lights control" light switch position (2).
Version with Xenon or LED (automatic headlight beam throw adjustment): Wait 80 s after switching on lights. During this time, do not move the vehicle and avoid vibrations.

Fig 1: Identifying Handwheel Neutral Position, Low Beam/Driving Light Position And Light Switch Position
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Do not move the vehicle and steering wheel during the measuring and adjustment procedures!

IMPORTANT: A correct measurement/adjustment requires exact positioning of the headlight adjustment device!
This applies to all headlights!

Place the headlight adjustment device (1) centred in front of the vehicle.

Distance to the headlight: 30 - 50 cm

Position the headlight adjustment device (1) vertically to the vehicle longitudinal axis. For this purpose, the laser beam (2) must hit two suitable points, e.g. points marked with arrows.

Fig 2: Identifying Headlight Adjustment Device And Laser Beam Striking Points

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Points must be vehicle proof!
Trim panels are not suitable!

If the headlight adjustment device (1) does not have a laser beam (1), complete the alignment analogous with the line in the mirror.

The centre of the collecting lens (1) must match the centre of headlight (2) horizontally.

Corrections are made by raising or lowering the headlight adjustment device.

Fig 3: Aligning Center Of Collecting Lens Horizontally With Center Of Headlight

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fig 4: Identifying Proper And Improper Position Of Headlight Adjusting Device

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

When positioned correctly, the light/dark boundary of the headlight (marked with arrow) must hit the collecting lens of the adjusting device in the centre:

The headlight adjusting device is too low.
The headlight adjusting device is positioned correctly.
The headlight adjusting device is too high.

The centre of the collecting lens (1) must match the centre of headlight (2) vertically. Corrections are made by sliding the side of the headlight adjusting device to the left or right.

Fig 5: Aligning Center Of Collecting Lens Vertically With Center Of Headlight

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fig 6: Identifying Headlight Vertical Aim Adjustment

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: The figure shows an example for the transparent screen of halogen headlights.

OVERVIEW OF TRANSPARENT SCREENS OF DIFFERENT HEADLIGHT TYPES.

Set marker line {M} on aimer to {e}. Scale graduations on aimer are equal to a gradient in cm at a distance of 10 meters.

Light/dark boundary of headlights in headlight aimer

{e} Setting dimension, headlights:
- Value is indicated on the headlight housing and on the type plate of the vehicle in %.
  (e.g.: 1.0 % = -10 cm/10 m = - 1.0 % on the headlight adjusting device)
- The value 1.0 % (adjustment value - 1.0 % ) applies to all BMW Group vehicles.
- Exception: E53, E70, E71, E72, E83, R60, R61. The value 1.1 % (adjustment value - 1.1 % ) applies to these vehicles.
Setting dimension, fog lights:
- The value 2.0 % = -20 cm/10 m = - 2.0 % on the headlight adjusting device applies to all BMW Group vehicles.
{H} Height of centre of headlight above parking surface.
{h} {H} - {e} = height of marking line above parking surface
+ Central mark = centre point of high beam headlight.
{M} Marker line of the headlight adjustment device
{S} Standing surface of the vehicle and headlight adjustment device

Adjustment dimension {e} is only valid for EUR. Observe differing national regulations.