Headlamps - New Vertical Adjustment Settings

GROUP 63
Lights

Bulletin Number
63 01 00

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
January 2000
Service Engineering

Subject
E46 New Vertical Headlight Adjustment Settings

Model
E46

Situation

Since July of 1999 production, E46 halogen headlights are adjusted to a new (vertical) specification. The new headlight setting will address customers complaints of: "headlight beams are adjusted too short".

When performing headlight adjustments on E46 (3 series) vehicles only the new specification should be used.

PROCEDURE

Before adjustment:

Ensure that the vehicle is parked on a flat, level surface 10 meters in front of the viewing screen (e.g. wall), measured from the front of the headlight lens. Verify that all tires are correctly inflated.

-- Load driver's seat with 165 lb. (75 kg) of weight. The fuel tank should be full, or appropriate additional weight should be placed in the trunk.

Adjustment procedure:

-- Measure the height of the headlight from the ground to the center of the headlamp (center=optical axis, which is marked by the third horizontal line on the lens).

-- Use that dimension to mark a horizontal line on the wall (H).





-- Switch headlights on. Proceed with adjustment as shown.

When adjusting headlight assembly, both adjusting screws have to be used:





1. Adjuster primarily used for vertical settings

2. Adjuster primarily used for horizontal settings

Note:
In order to achieve the highest standards of accuracy during headlight adjustment, BMW NA Service Engineering recommends using laser headlamp aiming equipment. For specifications and manufactures information, please refer to BMW Equipment Program Book page # 67.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

For information only.