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Headlight Assembly: Adjustment: Adjustment

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Toyota Matrix. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

HINT: 

  1. VEHICLE PREPARATION FOR HEADLIGHT AIMING ADJUSTMENT 
    1. Prepare the vehicle:
      • Ensure that there is no damage or deformation to the body around the headlights.
      • Fill the fuel tank.
      • Make sure that the oil is filled to the specified level.
      • Make sure that the coolant is filled to the specified level.
      • Inflate the tires to the appropriate pressure.
      • Unload the trunk and vehicle, ensuring that the spare tire, tools, and jack are in their original positions.
      • Sit a person of average weight (68 kg, 150 lb) in the driver's seat.
      • Vehicles with height adjustable suspension should set the vehicle height to the lowest setting prior to adjusting the headlight aim.
  2. PREPARATION FOR HEADLIGHT AIMING (Using a headlight aim test machine) 
    1. Adjust the headlight aim in accordance with the headlight aim test machine instructions.
  3. PREPARATION FOR HEADLIGHT AIMING (Using a Screen) 
    1. Prepare the vehicle:
      Fig 1: Identifying Headlight Aiming Distance (Using Screen)
      GTY231980Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      • Place the vehicle in a location that is dark enough to clearly observe the cutoff line. The cutoff line is a distinct line, below which light from the headlights can be observed and above which it cannot.
      • Place the vehicle at a 90° angle to the wall.
      • Create a 7.62 m (25 ft.) distance between the vehicle (headlight bulb center) and the wall.
      • Make sure that the vehicle is on a level surface.
      • Position the front wheels straight ahead.
      • Bounce the vehicle up and down to settle the suspension.
      NOTE:

      A distance of 7.62 m (25 ft.) between the vehicle (headlight bulb center) and the wall is necessary for proper aim adjustment. If sufficient space is not available, secure a distance of exactly 3 m (9.84 ft.) to allow for checking and adjustment of headlight aim. (The size of the target zone will change with the distance, so follow the instructions in the illustration.)

    2. Prepare a piece of thick white paper (approximately 2 m (6.6 ft.) (height) x 4 m (13.1 ft.) (width)) to use as a screen.
    3. Draw a vertical line down the center of the screen (V line).
    4. Set the screen as shown in the illustration.
      Fig 2: Headlight Aiming Screen Adjustment Chart
      GTY247188Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      HINT: 

      • Stand the screen perpendicular to the ground.
      • Align the V line on the screen with the center of the vehicle.
    5. Draw base lines (H, V LH, and V RH lines) on the screen as shown in the illustration.
      Fig 3: Identifying Base Lines Graph
      GTY155961Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      HINT: 

      • The base lines differ for "low-beam inspection" and "high-beam inspection".
      • Mark the headlight bulb center marks on the screen. If the center mark cannot be observed on the headlight, use the center of the headlight bulb or the manufacturer's name marked on the headlight as the center mark.
      1. H Line (Headlight height):

        Draw a horizontal line across the screen so that it passes through the center marks. The H line should be at the same height as the headlight bulb center marks of the low-beam headlights.

      2. V LH Line, V RH Line (Center mark position of left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) headlights):

        Draw two vertical lines so that they intersect the H line at each center mark (aligned with the center of the low-beam headlight bulbs).

  4. INSPECT HEADLIGHT AIMING 
    1. Cover the headlight or disconnect the connector of the headlight on the opposite side to prevent light from the headlight that is not being inspected from affecting the headlight aiming inspection.
      NOTE:

      Do not keep the headlight covered for more than 3 minutes. The headlight lens is made of synthetic resin, which may melt or be damaged due to excessive heat.

      HINT: 

      When checking the aim of the high-beam cover the low-beam or disconnect the connector.

    2. Start the engine.
    3. Turn on the headlight and check if the location of the hot zone matches the hot zone in the illustration.
      Fig 4: View Of Headlight Distance Alignment Charts
      GTY223109Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      HINT: 

      • Since the low-beam light and the high-beam light are a unit, if the aim on the low-beam is correct, the high-beam should also be correct. However, check both beams just to make sure.
      • If the alignment distance is 7.62 m (25 ft.):

        The upper edge of the hot zone should be within 101.6 mm (4.00 in.) above or below the H line (within 0.76° of the H line). (SAE J599)

      • If the alignment distance is 3 m (9.84 ft.):

        The upper edge of the hot zone should be within 40 mm (1.57 in.) above or below the H line (within 0.76° of the H line). (SAE J599)

      • If the alignment distance is 7.62 m (25 ft.):

        The left edge of the hot zone should be within 101.6 mm (4.00 in.) left or right the V line (within 0.76° of the V line). (SAE J599)

      • If the alignment distance is 3 m (9.84 ft.):

        The left edge of the hot zone should be within 40 mm (1.57 in.) left or right the V line (within 0.76° of the V line). (SAE J599)

  5. ADJUST HEADLIGHT AIMING 
    1. Adjust the aim vertically:
      Fig 5: Identifying Headlight Aiming Screw
      GTY247042Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

      Adjust the aim of each headlight to the specified range by turning each aiming screw with a screwdriver.

      NOTE:

      The final turn of the aiming screw should be made in the clockwise direction. If the screw is tightened excessively, loosen it and then retighten it, so that the final turn of the screw is in the clockwise direction.

      HINT: 

      • The low-beam light and the high-beam light are a unit. Adjusting the aim on the low-beam to the correct position should also result in the high-beam adjustment being correct.
      • If it is not possible to correctly adjust the headlight aim, check the bulbs, headlight unit, and headlight unit reflector installation.
      • The headlight aim moves up when turning the aiming screw clockwise, and moves down when turning the aiming screw counterclockwise.