Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Headlamp Aiming

HEADLAMP AIMING

1. The headlamp aiming procedure depends on the type of beam pattern the headlamp is equipped with. Vehicles may come equipped with visual optical right (VOR), visual optical left (VOL), or SAE only (includes sealed beam type) headlamps. To identify the headlamp beam pattern, look on the headlamp lens. Molded in small letters on the headlamp lens is one of the following:
- SAE
- VOR or SAE
- VOL or SAE

2. Once the headlamp beam pattern is identified, aim the headlamps using one of the following methods as applicable.
- Photometric aimers can aim SAE, VOR and VOL type headlamps. This is the preferred method of headlamp aiming.
- Visual or screen method aiming can be used to aim SAE, VOR and VOL type headlamps.
- Mechanical aimers can be used only with SAE type headlamps. Lamps that can be aimed mechanically will have three nibs molded into the lens of the lamp.