63 10... Test requirements for headlights vertical aim adjustment

• Park vehicle on flat and even surface.
• Replace faulty glass and mirrors and blackened light bulbs.

• Check correct adjustment of headlights in relation to engine compartment lid (gap dimensions).
• Check tire pressure and correct if necessary.

Only halogen headlight, fog light and headlight for dynamic marker light (dynamic spotlight): 

• 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 the ignition on.
• Manual headlight beam throw adjustment: Shift handwheel to neutral position (1).
• Light switch must be in "low beam headlight/low beam" position (3). 
• Do not carry out the headlight adjustment in the "automatic headlight control" light switch position (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.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Position the headlight adjusting device (1) centrally in front of the vehicle (2) at distance (A) = 10 cm. 

Align the headlight adjusting device (1) by laser beam (3). Laser beam (3) must hit two suitable points, e.g. marked by arrows.

If the headlight adjusting device (1) does not have a laser beam (3), complete the alignment analogous with the line in the mirror.

The center of the collecting lens (1) must match the center of headlight (2) horizontally.

Corrections are made by raising or lowering the headlight adjusting device.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

When positioned correctly, the light/dark boundary of the headlight (marked with arrow) must hit the collecting lens of the adjustment device in the center:

1. The headlight adjusting device is too low.
2. The headlight adjusting device is positioned correctly.
3. The headlight adjusting device is too high.

The center of the collecting lens (1) must match the center of headlight (2) vertically.

Corrections are made by sliding the side of the headlight adjusting device to the left or right.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Set the marker line {M} on the headlight adjusting device to dimension {e}. Scale graduations on the headlight adjusting device show a gradient in cm at a distance of 10 meters.

Light/dark boundary of headlights in headlight adjusting device 

{e} Setting dimension, headlights: 

• Value is indicated on the headlight housing  and on vehicles with production date up to 2011 on the nameplate  in %.

  (e.g.: 1.0 %  = -10 cm/10 m = - 1.0 %  on the headlight adjusting device)

• Value 1.0 %  (adjustment value - 1.0 %  ) applies to all BMW Group vehicles.
• Exception: E53, E70, E71, E72, E83, F15, F16, F25, F26, R60, R61, F60. For these vehicles, value 1.1%  (adjustment value - 1.1%  ) applies.

Setting dimension, fog lights: 

• Value 2.0%  = -20 cm/10 m = - 2.0%  on the headlight adjustment device applies to all BMW Group vehicles.

Headlight setting dimension, dynamic marker light (dynamic spotlight): 

• Value 0.0%  = 0 cm/10 m = 0%  on the headlight adjustment device applies to all BMW Group vehicles.

{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

Adjustment dimension {e} is only valid for EUR. Observe differing national regulations.