Test requirements for headlights vertical aim adjustment
Attention!
Do not perform headlight adjustment immediately after lowering the vehicle on the vehicle hoist. In this case, the vehicle must be moved about approx. 15 m on its own axle before the headlight adjustment.
Attention!
Observe the operating instructions for the headlight adjusting device!
The headlight setting space must comply with the specifications as set out in German road traffic licensing regulations (German road traffic licensing regulations) 29 Annex 8d (or ISO 10604)!
These specifications are described in "Planning principles for the design of BMW service workshops".
- Park vehicle on flat and even surface.
- Replace defective glasses and mirrors as well as blackened bulbs.
- Check correct adjustment of headlights in relation to engine compartment lid (gap dimensions).
- Check tire pressure and correct if necessary.
Only halogen headlights, fog lights and headlights for Dynamic Marker Light (Dynamic Light Spot). Not required in case of vehicles with automatic headlight beam throw adjustment:
- Apply load equivalent to one person on driver's seat (approx. 75 kg).
- Vehicle with full fuel tank or appropriate additional weight in trunk.
- Switch on ignition.
- Manual headlight beam throw adjustment: Bring the handwheel to the neutral position (1).
- The light switch must be in the "low beams/headlights" position (3)!
- Do not perform headlight adjustment in the light switch position "automatic headlight control" (2)!
- Version with Xenon or LED (automatic headlight beam throw adjustment) : Wait 80 s after switching on lights. During this time, do not move the vehicle and avoid vibrations.
Attention!
Do not move the vehicle and steering wheel during the measuring and adjustment procedures!
Wheels must be in a straight-ahead position!
Attention!
Precise positioning of the headlight adjusting device (1) is necessary for correct measurement/setting!
The headlight adjusting device (1) must stand vertically to the vehicle longitudinal axis!
This applies to all headlights!
Position the headlight adjusting device (1) centrally in front of the vehicle (2) at distance (A) = 10 cm .
Align headlight adjusting device (1) according to laser beam (3). Laser beam (3) must strike two suitable points, e.g. the points marked by arrows.
Attention!
Define two reference points on the vehicle in order to align the headlight adjusting device! The points should be as far as possible from each other!
Trim panels are not suitable!
If the headlight adjusting device (1) does not have a laser beam (3), carry out the alignment according to the line in the mirror.
Attention!
Always perform positioning of the headlight adjusting device (1) at the outer headlight (2)!
The center of the collecting lens (1) must match the center of headlight (2) horizontally.
Correction is made by raising or lowering the headlight adjusting device.
When positioned correctly, the light/dark boundary of the headlight (marked with an arrow) must meet the converging lens of the adjustment device in the middle:
- The headlight adjusting device is too low.
- The headlight adjusting device is positioned correctly.
- The headlight adjusting device is too high.
The center of the collecting lens (1) must match the center of headlight (2) vertically.
Correction is made by moving the headlight adjusting device to the left or right sides.
Refer to OVERVIEW OF TRANSPARENT SCREENS OF DIFFERENT HEADLIGHT TYPES .
Set the marker line {M} on the headlight adjusting device to dimension {e}. The graduation on the headlight adjusting device corresponds to a gradient in cm at a distance of 10 m.
Light/dark boundary of headlights in headlight adjusting device
{e} Setting dimension, headlights:
- Value is indicated on headlight housing
and for vehicles with a production date up to 2011 on nameplate
in %.
(e.g.: 1.0% = -10 cm/10 m = - 1.0% on the headlight adjusting device)
- Value 1.0% applies to all BMW Group vehicles (adjustment value - 1.0% ).
- Exception: E53, E70, E71, E72, E83, F15, F16, F25, F26, R60, R61, F60. Value 1.1%
applies to these vehicles (adjustment value - 1.1%
).
Setting dimension, fog lights:
- For all BMW Group vehicles, value 2.0%
= -20 cm/10 m = - 2.0%
applies to the headlight adjusting device.
Headlight setting dimension, dynamic marker light (dynamic spotlight):
- For all BMW Group vehicles, value 0.0% = 0 cm/10 m = 0% applies to the headlight adjusting device.
{H} Height of headlight center above standing surface {h} {H} - {e} = height of marking line above standing surface + Central mark = center point of high beam headlight.
{M} Marker line of the headlight adjusting device
{S} Standing surface of the vehicle and headlight adjusting device
The setting dimension {e} specified above is only valid for ECE. Observe differing country-specific regulations, e.g.:
Setting dimension of headlight, USA: 0.7% = -7 cm/10 m = - 0.7% on the headlight adjusting device.