For the safety of you and other road users, it’s important to have working lights on our cars. This includes side- and taillights, headlights (main and dipped beams), direction indicators, stop lights, a rear number-plate light, reversing lights, fog lights (front and rear), daytime running lights (DRL) , long-range driving lights and hazard warning lights.
But how can you tell if your car lights are working and are your headlights correctly aligned?
How to check if your car bulbs are working
It’s possible to spot a broken bulb due to a light not working when turned on or if you spot a visible break in the filament, sometimes with blackened glass. In either case, it’s a good idea to test your bulbs with a test bulb kit.
How to check if your headlights and taillights are working
The easiest way to check if your lights are working is to turn the engine on and leave the handbrake on. Then turn on each light and walk around the car to visually check them.
How to check headlight alignment
We all know how annoying – and potentially dangerous – it is to be dazzled by the glare of oncoming headlights. But how can you check that you’re not blinding other drivers with your headlights?
Checking the alignment of your headlights isn’t difficult, but you do need some specific tools: a Phillips-head screwdriver, masking tape, a spirit level, a measuring tape, level ground, a dark wall or garage door and 10m of space.
While you could check your owners’ manual for the precise distance required to check your headlight alignment (different manufacturers have different recommendations), it isn’t necessary to have a standard distance – as long as you measure correctly. In other words, the centre point of your headlights should be one cm lower for every metre your car is moved from thestarting point. In other words, if the centre point of your headlights is 40cm from the ground when your car is 50cm from the wall, then the centre point should be at 35cm when your car is 5.5m from the wall. If this isn’t the case, the headlights need to be adjusted so the centre point is at 35cm.
FAQs
Headlamp Aiming Criteria: at the correct distance (25'), a reject would occur if the brightest portion of the beam is more than 4” to the right or more than 4” to the left of the vertical center line or more than 4” above or more than 4” below the horizontal center line.
How do I know if my headlights need alignment? ›
If the beam is too high or too low, it may need to be adjusted. Check the beam pattern for each headlight separately. The beams should not overlap or cause glare for oncoming traffic.
How much does it cost to get headlights aligned? ›
The average cost for a Headlamp Alignment Adjust is between $40 and $51 but can vary from car to car.
What level should headlights be set at? ›
In other words, if the centre point of your headlights is 40cm from the ground when your car is 50cm from the wall, then the centre point should be at 35cm when your car is 5.5m from the wall. If this isn't the case, the headlights need to be adjusted so the centre point is at 35cm.
Do headlights need to be aligned? ›
Headlights that aren't aligned properly can be a safety hazard for yourself and for other drivers. If your headlights aren't pointing where they should, they won't light up the road ahead for you very well, and you could even be dazzling other drivers.
Where are the headlight adjustment screws? ›
Open the hood to look for the adjustment screws on the headlights. Each headlight typically has one screw on top and another one on the side. If you're looking at the left headlight, the second screw will be on the right, and if you're looking at the right headlight, it will be on the left.
What is the correct headlight bulb position? ›
If the beams are pointing well below or above the line you've drawn, then you likely have your bulbs installed upside down. LED headlight bulbs have light-emitting diodes on opposite sides of the bulb, when you install the bulb, these diodes should be aligned horizontally at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock.
What is the best position for headlights? ›
Back your car exactly 25 ft (7.6 m) from the wall.
This is the distance your headlights should normally extend to. Always defer to the specs in the owner's manual—some manufacturers recommend different distances for proper adjustment, although 25 feet (7.6 m) is the most common distance.
What is the best headlight alignment? ›
The top of the low beam shining on the wall should be at or slightly below the height of the center of the headlight lens for most vehicles. You should expect the light pattern to be higher on the right side (passenger side) to illuminate road signs and lower on the driver's side to prevent blinding other drivers.
What is the correct headlight beam pattern? ›
A good light beam pattern should have a sharp cutoff line that separates the high and low beams. The high beam has a focused light that reaches far down the road, and the low beam illuminates the road ahead in a wide and even pattern.
However, LED headlight bulbs only have chips on two sides. Therefore, you must install your LEDs so the chips face the reflectors (usually facing directly left and right). Otherwise, the light may not hit the necessary reflectors and can produce an inefficient beam pattern or decreased light output.
How to fix headlights that are pointing down? ›
Adjust your headlights
- Pop your hood and find your vehicle's headlight adjustment bolts or gears. They should be behind the headlights. ...
- Turn on your vehicle and flip on your low beams. ...
- Use a socket wrench or screwdriver to slowly adjust the vertical direction of your driver's side headlight.
Look at the light pattern on the wall. Vertical aim: The top of the most intense part of the beam should be at or below the centerline of the headlamp horizontal tape line. Horizontal aim: Most of the intense part of the beam should be to the right of the vertical centerline of the headlamp assembly.
How can I fix my headlights at home? ›
How to Safely Change a Headlight
- Find gloves to wear. ...
- Determine which headlight bulb you need. ...
- Turn off your vehicle. ...
- Pop the hood and locate the headlight holder. ...
- Disconnect the power wires Usually, there will be three of them to disconnect. ...
- Remove the old bulb. ...
- Replace with a new bulb. ...
- Test the bulb.
