Adjusting or aiming headlights?

eekthecat · 02-12-2014, 05:13 PM

Still getting used to the new car (428), but one thing I've noticed is that the headlights (despite being the LED "upgrades") don't seem to illuminate as well as my E92's xenons. It's almost like they're aimed "down" a bit, and could just use a slight upward adjustment.

Does anyone know whether it's possible to aim/adjust the headlights? (I remember my old E46 had a dial behind/on the headlight assembly to do just that.)

gonein10 · 02-12-2014, 05:39 PM

They should be adjustable. had the same issue on my 435, seemed they were pointing down and only illuminating about 20 feet in front of the car.

There is an adjustment screw (white) on the side of the light. open the hood and take a look,can't miss it.

Christos · 02-12-2014, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eekthecat

Still getting used to the new car (428), but one thing I've noticed is that the headlights (despite being the LED "upgrades") don't seem to illuminate as well as my E92's xenons. It's almost like they're aimed "down" a bit, and could just use a slight upward adjustment.

Does anyone know whether it's possible to aim/adjust the headlights? (I remember my old E46 had a dial behind/on the headlight assembly to do just that.)

Funny I have the xenons on my 428i and feel like they are pointed too low also. Was going to look for an adjustment

f30luxline · 02-12-2014, 07:24 PM

This must be a common thought. When I bought my car I raised them and still needing to raise my wife's which have xenons.

This is the adjustment for halogens...not sure where they are for xenons. The adjustment for left/right is in the hole closer to the fender and there is a cap that needs removed....from what I have read here, I have note needed to adjust this.

Bassthe1st · 02-12-2014, 09:08 PM

Just so you know, it could also be a broken level sensor arm like happened to some, including me. In my case they were pointing somewhere like 10ft in front of the car.

BavarianFanatic · 02-12-2014, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassthe1st

Just so you know, it could also be a broken level sensor arm like happened to some, including me. In my case they were pointing somewhere like 10ft in front of the car.

Provided they have AKL lights...

f30luxline · 02-13-2014, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassthe1st

Just so you know, it could also be a broken level sensor arm like happened to some, including me. In my case they were pointing somewhere like 10ft in front of the car.

Is there only 1 level sensor? I only noticed 1 on my wife's e92 when doing suspension work and it seemed to be all intact and operating properly.

Are the LED lights adaptive like the Xenons?

gonein10 · 02-13-2014, 02:52 PM

adjustment screw on the 4series is not located the same as the f30

Fille · 02-13-2014, 03:00 PM

I also feel mine are pointing slightly low. When i'm behind another car in heavy traffic the light is roughly slightly under a regular Euro sedan's licence plate.

gonein10 · 02-13-2014, 04:20 PM

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I've only noticed the 1 adjustment point and it it to move the head lights up and down position
The system when it is turned on does cycle from a lower position and automatically level off. in my case they were out of adjustment

Christos · 02-13-2014, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonein10

Attachment 977891

I've only noticed the 1 adjustment point and it it to move the head lights up and down position
The system when it is turned on does cycle from a lower position and automatically level off. in my case they were out of adjustment

Did you adjust them your self? If you did, how did you estimate how much to adjust them? Which way to turn for up?

gonein10 · 02-13-2014, 04:44 PM

I put my car about 8 feet away from a wall on level ground turned head lights on and adjusted. 5 complete turns is what I ended up with. Total # of turns or part of may very, but make sure they are equal on both sides

if you want them done right take it to the dealer or some one that knows the exact level and measurement.

Trial and error works for me

RoundelM3 · 02-14-2014, 02:05 PM

This is an obvious question, but on a brand-new car, would it not make sense to take it to the dealer to get it done there?

gonein10 · 02-14-2014, 02:18 PM

I don't always have the spare time to waste at the dealer. My lights were out of adjustment so I made the adjustment myself. When I have time or another issue comes up I"ll have them check to see how good of a job, or not, I did

so much for paying the dealer to do their P.D.I

02-12-2014, 05:13 PM	#1
eekthecat Lieutenant 24 Rep 481 Posts Drives: 428i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California iTrader: (2)	Adjusting or aiming headlights? Still getting used to the new car (428), but one thing I've noticed is that the headlights (despite being the LED "upgrades") don't seem to illuminate as well as my E92's xenons. It's almost like they're aimed "down" a bit, and could just use a slight upward adjustment. Does anyone know whether it's possible to aim/adjust the headlights? (I remember my old E46 had a dial behind/on the headlight assembly to do just that.)
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02-12-2014, 05:39 PM	#2
gonein10 Private 8 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2013 x5D 2014 435i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: mississauga iTrader: (0)	They should be adjustable. had the same issue on my 435, seemed they were pointing down and only illuminating about 20 feet in front of the car. There is an adjustment screw (white) on the side of the light. open the hood and take a look,can't miss it.
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02-12-2014, 07:24 PM	#4
f30luxline e92 - 335i 179 Rep 743 Posts Drives: thisonetimeatbandcamp Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Orlando iTrader: (1)	This must be a common thought. When I bought my car I raised them and still needing to raise my wife's which have xenons. This is the adjustment for halogens...not sure where they are for xenons. The adjustment for left/right is in the hole closer to the fender and there is a cap that needs removed....from what I have read here, I have note needed to adjust this.
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02-12-2014, 09:08 PM	#5
Bassthe1st Private First Class 22 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2017 330i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Montreal, Qc iTrader: (0)	Just so you know, it could also be a broken level sensor arm like happened to some, including me. In my case they were pointing somewhere like 10ft in front of the car. __________________ Current: 2017 330i xDrive M Sport Past: 2013 328i xDrive, 2008 335XI 6MT, Legacy SPEC.B, MazdaSpeed6(best of all)
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02-13-2014, 02:52 PM	#8
gonein10 Private 8 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2013 x5D 2014 435i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: mississauga iTrader: (0)	adjustment screw on the 4series is not located the same as the f30
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02-13-2014, 03:00 PM	#9
Fille Private First Class 13 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 520d -15 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Stockholm iTrader: (0)	I also feel mine are pointing slightly low. When i'm behind another car in heavy traffic the light is roughly slightly under a regular Euro sedan's licence plate. __________________ I'm just a regular everyday normal guy.
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02-13-2014, 04:20 PM	#10
gonein10 Private 8 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2013 x5D 2014 435i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: mississauga iTrader: (0)	I've only noticed the 1 adjustment point and it it to move the head lights up and down position The system when it is turned on does cycle from a lower position and automatically level off. in my case they were out of adjustment
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02-13-2014, 04:44 PM	#12
gonein10 Private 8 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2013 x5D 2014 435i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: mississauga iTrader: (0)	I put my car about 8 feet away from a wall on level ground turned head lights on and adjusted. 5 complete turns is what I ended up with. Total # of turns or part of may very, but make sure they are equal on both sides if you want them done right take it to the dealer or some one that knows the exact level and measurement. Trial and error works for me
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02-14-2014, 02:05 PM	#13
RoundelM3 Major General 1837 Rep 6,990 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	This is an obvious question, but on a brand-new car, would it not make sense to take it to the dealer to get it done there? __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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02-14-2014, 02:18 PM	#14
gonein10 Private 8 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2013 x5D 2014 435i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: mississauga iTrader: (0)	I don't always have the spare time to waste at the dealer. My lights were out of adjustment so I made the adjustment myself. When I have time or another issue comes up I"ll have them check to see how good of a job, or not, I did so much for paying the dealer to do their P.D.I
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