SteveW Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Well winter is coming around again, cold nights, rain, wind, darkness and lots of dipped headlight driving. Well we all know how rubbish the dipped headlights are due to their height setting so here is a guide on how to raise the throw of your dipped headlights so you can see better where you are going. This may have been posted before but here it is anyway: Example is based upon the passenger light but it is virtually the same for the drivers light. 1) Pop the hood 2) Look at your light and just above halfway down on the inside edge this is the adjustor: 3) Now mark the original position of the 'click wheel' I used a permanent marker 4) Next using either an 8mm spanner (I used an 8mm halfords ratchet spanner) or a thin screwdriver turn the click wheel 1.5 to 2 full turns clockwise. This direction is relevant if you were looking directly at the hexagon of the bolt head it would be anti clockwise if you were stood at the front of the car and looking towards the windscreen. If using a spanner just put it over the head of the bolt. If using a thin screwdriver position it between the teeth on the click wheel and turn. It takes a bit longer if you use the screwdriver method but there isn't much space for a spanner so just use the tools you have. 5) Switch sides and do the same process to the other light. 6) test drive and enjoy being able to see where you are going. For information I have done 2 full turns which I think is the max you want to do. At 2 turns the light pattern gets to about the top of the rear bumper of cars you are following. Don't be one of those annoying drivers who has his lights shining in through the back window on dipped beam, that really gets on my nerves One other point you might want to note is that you may want to put setting back to normal for MOT time the adjustment might fall outside legal limits, you have been warned. As you can see in the second pick I have wrote 2 full turns on the inside of the light so I don't forget how much I've adjusted them by Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MK-Ultra Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Thanks buddy My lights do seem to be a little low. Will give this a go tomorrow. Seems nice and easy to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatteryLow Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I was thinking about how low my dipped lights are last night! Thanks, I will give this a shot soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BACON Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 4) Next using either an 8mm spanner (I used an 8mm halfords ratchet spanner) or a thin screwdriver turn the click wheel 1.5 to 2 full turns clockwise. This direction is relevant if you were looking directly at the hexagon of the bolt head it would be anti clockwise if you were stood at the front of the car and looking towards the windscreen. So let me get this right (don't want to make them lower after all).......if I'm performing this alteration whilst standing leaning into the bonnet over the front bumper, facing towards the windscreen.....the bolt must be turned 1.5-2.0 turns clockwise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveW Posted September 19, 2011 Author Share Posted September 19, 2011 4) Next using either an 8mm spanner (I used an 8mm halfords ratchet spanner) or a thin screwdriver turn the click wheel 1.5 to 2 full turns clockwise. This direction is relevant if you were looking directly at the hexagon of the bolt head it would be anti clockwise if you were stood at the front of the car and looking towards the windscreen. So let me get this right (don't want to make them lower after all).......if I'm performing this alteration whilst standing leaning into the bonnet over the front bumper, facing towards the windscreen.....the bolt must be turned 1.5-2.0 turns clockwise? If you are stood at the front leaning over the bumper you would turn the spanner to the left i.e anti-clockwise. I did mine from the side of the car looking towards the front bumper thus turned the spanner to the right i.e. clockwise. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 4) Next using either an 8mm spanner (I used an 8mm halfords ratchet spanner) or a thin screwdriver turn the click wheel 1.5 to 2 full turns clockwise. This direction is relevant if you were looking directly at the hexagon of the bolt head it would be anti clockwise if you were stood at the front of the car and looking towards the windscreen. So let me get this right (don't want to make them lower after all).......if I'm performing this alteration whilst standing leaning into the bonnet over the front bumper, facing towards the windscreen.....the bolt must be turned 1.5-2.0 turns clockwise? Just do it facing a wall with your lights on and you will clearly see the beam moving up or down... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BACON Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 4) Next using either an 8mm spanner (I used an 8mm halfords ratchet spanner) or a thin screwdriver turn the click wheel 1.5 to 2 full turns clockwise. This direction is relevant if you were looking directly at the hexagon of the bolt head it would be anti clockwise if you were stood at the front of the car and looking towards the windscreen. So let me get this right (don't want to make them lower after all).......if I'm performing this alteration whilst standing leaning into the bonnet over the front bumper, facing towards the windscreen.....the bolt must be turned 1.5-2.0 turns clockwise? Just do it facing a wall with your lights on and you will clearly see the beam moving up or down... Good plan......thought of that when I was lying in bed last night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BACON Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Only now just got around to doing this modification some 4 months on from when I originally planned. O..M..G Did this take forever or what!!! Went with the 8mm method and I know you said there wasn't much room and you weren't kidding SteveW. Also I've now noticed that you've replaced your standard airbox for an upgrade or pop charger variety. The issue I found was the minute room on the near-side headlight as the standard airbox on mine restricted nearly all movement; the off-side was far easier to adjust. After what seemed hours...I decided to go for it as my lights seemed very low and the movement against the garage door I was facing was minute; so I decided in my wisdom and even after reading your 'spot on guide' that 4 complete turns would be a good idea . That is until my test drive that evening....this is no exageration, on dipped beam I could see the roof tops of the neighbour house and the top of a nearby Oak tree as for on full-beam....well I think I saw a satelite So today I reverted back 3 full turns so I'm now only 1 x complete turn on from my starting position and WOW the difference is amazing I can see when I'm going at last, even on dipped and I'm not chasing the stars either! I should have learned by now that technically I'm a dunce and that you guys on here know what you're talking about. If anyone else thinks 4 x complete turns is a good idea....trust me it's not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveW Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 Ha ha that gave me a bit of a chuckle! Glad you got em sorted in the end. Yes I have indeed removed the standard airbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPhoboS Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 I shall give this a go today, cheers for the guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUG Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 Will be giving this a go soon along with some nice new 8000k bulbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macky Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Used this yesterday to adjust my low beam. Very useful guide, cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dErZ Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I too did this, thanks for an informative post. I only did 1 full turn so will see what that is like and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubapics Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I did this a few weeks ago. Two full turns. Passed MOT this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPhoboS Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 I've managed to turn the air filter side but cannot do the other side at all, bar the screwdriver idea - any particular tool that is going to reach ? Bad day today, nothing done just freezing nuts off and swearing outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 (edited) done mine last week! but had headlights out at same time as was changing bulbs..so was easy to adjust lol Edited March 24, 2013 by Vlad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onthatB0MBSHELL Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Must try this, I can drive with full beam on (which I find I need to to see anything) and not annoy any oncoming motorists, haven't been flashed yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Didn't know you could do this, top post, ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easty Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Nice one going to do this tomorrow after iv recharged the car battery lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easty Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Top post 5mins of a job and I can now see at night :-) Woooo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodoo Vix Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Did mine the other day, took it to the garage to make sure they were right and no difference at all, tried it while it was there and it appears the adjusters don't work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Mine worked okay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodoo Vix Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Lucky you lol I can turn mine as much as I like but nothing happens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Sorry, wasn't gloating Just a bit bizarre that both don't work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodoo Vix Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Lol it's fine, I thought that too, but the mechanics have tried and measured the beam but no difference, the driver's one is on the limit but the passenger one is low (showed up on MOT), not sure now whether I can get them fixed/new adjusters or new lights (hoping it's not the last one) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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