Screen Method Aiming

All headlamp types 

1. Before starting headlamp adjustment:
   • check the tire inflation.
   • check that no other load is in the vehicle other than a half tank of fuel.
   • check that the headlamps are clean.
   • check for correct headlamp operation.
   • check that the vehicle is on level ground.
   • if the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, make sure that the switch is on.
NOTE: The vertical wall or screen must be a minimum of 2.4-m (8-ft) wide.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface approximately 7.6-m (25-ft) from the vertical wall or screen directly in front of it.
Fig 1: Identifying Distance Between Vehicle And Vertical Wall Or Screen
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The center of the lamp is marked either on the lens (circle, cross-hair or other mark) or on the bulb shield internal to the lamp (cross-hair or other mark).
3. Mark a horizontal reference line on the vertical wall or screen.
   1. Measure the center of the headlamp height to ground and record the measurement.
   2. Make a 2.4-meter (8-ft) horizontal mark (using masking tape) on the vertical wall or screen at the same distance from the ground as previously recorded.
Fig 2: Aiming Headlights
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: This procedure should be done in a dark environment to effectively see the headlamp beam pattern.
4. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and open the hood.
NOTE: For SAE-type headlamps, the appearance of the beam pattern may vary between vehicles.
5. On the wall or screen, locate the high intensity area of the beam pattern. Using the adjusting screw, adjust the headlamp until the top edge of the high intensity zone is even with the horizontal reference line.

SAE-type headlamps 

6. In addition to the horizontal line marked in Step 3, a pair of vertical lines must be marked at the center line of the headlamps on the wall or screen.
   1. Mark the center line of the vehicle on the wall or screen.
   2. Measure from the center of the headlamp to the center line of the vehicle.
   3. Make two 1.5-meter (5-ft) vertical marks (using masking tape) on the wall or screen at the same distance from the vehicle center line as previously recorded.
Fig 3: Marking Vertical Lines At Center Line Of Headlights On Wall Or Screen
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
7. On the wall or screen, locate the high intensity area of the beam pattern. Using the adjusting screw, adjust the headlamp until the left edge of the high intensity zone is even with the vertical and horizontal lines corresponding to the headlamp being adjusted.
Fig 4: Aligning High Intensity Area
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

VOR-type headlamps 

NOTE: The appearance of the VOR beam pattern may vary between vehicles.
8. On the wall or screen, locate the top edge of this high intensity area a distinct horizontal cutoff in the beam pattern. Using the adjusting screw, adjust the headlamp until the top edge of this cutoff is even with the horizontal reference line.
Fig 5: Identifying High Intensity Area (VOR Type Headlamps)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

VOL-type headlamps 

9. For VOL-type headlamps, locate the distinct cutoff in the left portion of the beam pattern. Using the adjusting screw, adjust the headlamp until the edge of this cutoff is positioned 50.2 mm (2 in) below the horizontal reference line.
   1. Horizontal reference line.
   2. Top edge of the beam pattern.
   3. High intensity zone.
Fig 6: Identifying VOL-Type Headlamps Beam Pattern
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.