Headlamp Aiming By the Screen Method

HEADLAMP AIMING BY THE SCREEN METHOD













LOCATION
The area should be darkened and large enough to allow for the vehicle and an additional 7.62 m (25 feet) measured from the face of the headlamps to the front of the screen. The floor on which the vehicle rests must be flat with the bottom of the screen. If the floor is not level, compensate as necessary.

AIMING SCREEN
If a screen is used, it should be at least 1.52 m (5 feet) high by 3.66 m (12 feet) wide with a matte white surface well shaded from extraneous light, and properly adjusted to the floor. The screen should be moveable so that it can be aligned parallel with the rear axle of the vehicle. It should be positioned so that a horizontal line drawn perpendicular to the centerline of the screen will pass an equal distance midway between the two headlamps. Refer to image.

The screen should be provided with a vertical center-line, two laterally adjustable vertical tapes, and one vertically adjustable horizontal tape.

If a regular commercial aiming screen is not available, the screen may consist of a wall having a clear uninterrupted area at least 1.83 m (6 feet) high by 3.66 m (12 feet) wide. The surface should be finished with a washable no-gloss white paint.

After the aiming screen has been set up and located, paint or tape a reference line on the floor 7.62 m (25 feet) from the screen. The vehicle should be parked with the front of the headlamps directly over this reference line.

HEADLAMP AIMING PROCEDURE
1. Park the vehicle square with the screen and with the headlamps directly over the reference line.
2. Make sure all components are in place, if other work has been done on the vehicle.
3. Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface.
4. Stop all other work on the vehicle.
5. Make sure the vehicle has on half tank of fuel or less.
6. Close the vehicle's doors.
7. Rock the vehicle sideways.
8. Line up the centerline of the vehicle with the centerline of the aiming screen. This can be done by marking the vertical center of the rear and front windows with tape. Use these lines as "sights" to line up the centerline of the vehicle and screen.
9. Adjust the vertical tapes on the screen to match the vertical centerline of each low beam lamp. (Measure the distance from the centerline of the vehicle to the centerline of a low beam lamp).
10. Adjust the horizontal tapes on the screen to match the horizontal centerline of each low beam headlamp. (Measure the height from the floor to the center of a low beam).
11. Turn on the low beam lamps. Observe the left and top edges of the high intensity zone on the screen. Adjust the headlamps so that:
A. The top edge of the center of intensity on the screen for the low beam is less than 101.6 mm (4 inches) above or below the cross section of the headlamp centerlines.
B. The left edge of the center of intensity on the screen for the low beam is less than 101.6 mm (4 inches) to the left or right of the cross section of the headlamp centerlines.