How to Correct Headlight Adjustment

You can adjust your headlights at home with a screwdriver.

You can correct the headlight adjustment on your vehicle right from home, saving yourself time and money. Professional mechanics use a headlight-adjuster kit but you can instead adjust your headlights at home with a screwdriver. Each headlight comes with adjustment screws for the purpose of correcting the headlight adjustment. You should adjust your headlights when they are unbalanced.

Things You'll Need

• Vehicle's owner's manual
• Screwdriver sets

Instructions

1. Park your vehicle on a flat paved surface facing a wall.

2. Locate the adjustment screws. They are usually on the side and bottom of the headlamps. Some cars have two screws in each headlamp and other vehicles have just one screw in each headlamp.

3. Turn on the headlights and notice how they are shining on the wall. They should be even and straight.

4. Tighten or loosen the adjustment screw on one headlamp a little bit at a time to raise or lower the light beam. Repeat with the other light.

5. Turn on the high beams and repeat the above procedure.

References

• "Chevrolet Silverado GMC Sierra: 1999 thru 2006 2WD and 4WD (Haynes Repair Manual)"; Haynes; 2008
• "General Motors Full-Size Trucks, 1988-98, Repair Manual (Chilton Automotive Books)": Chilton; 1999