Headlamp Aiming

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

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

If oncoming vehicles flash their high beams at you, this may also mean the vertical aim needs to be adjusted.

It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your dealer for service if the headlamps need to be re-aimed. It is possible however, to re-aim the headlamps as described in the following procedure.

The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:

• The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft (7.6 m) from a light colored wall or other flat surface.
• The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly 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 done.
• The vehicle should be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one person or 160 lbs (75 kg) on the driver seat.
• Tires should be properly inflated.

Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle low-beam headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.

1. To adjust the vertical aim on the headlamps, complete the following:
2. Find the aim dots on the lens of the lamp assembly.
3. Measure the distance from the ground to the aim dot on the lamp with the hood in the closed position. Record the distance.
4. At the wall or other flat surface, measure from the ground upward the recorded distance and draw or tape a horizontal line the width of the vehicle.
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.
5. 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 1: Measuring Headlamp Horizontal Axis
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
6. Adjust the vertical headlamp adjustment screw until the Hot Spot (Center of mass of the Bright Area) is set at 8.0 inches (2) below the headlamp horizontal access (1) within +/- 2 inches when measured at 25 feet.
Fig 2: Measuring Horizontal Axis
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Adjust the vertical headlamp adjustment screw until the Right Gradient Line (Cutoff Line) is set at the Horizontal Axis within +/- 2.0 inches (2) measured at 25 feet.
8. Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7 for the opposite headlamp.