Head light adjustment

Fuman · 08-11-2017, 08:52 AM

I lowered my car with KW HAS and the head lights needed height (Vertical) adjustment.

So if there isn't info on adjusting the headlights, here's one:

See image attached - based on front left head light. Use your imagination for the right head light.

The adjustment screw is just above and in the middle of both the heat sinks for the lights.

I used a Philips screw driver.

Projecting onto a wall about 5m away, every half turn anti clockwise raises the beam by about 10mm.

Trial and error.

(FYI- There's also horizontal adjustment but I didn't need it)

DivideBYZero · 08-21-2017, 11:21 AM

Doesn't the auto leveling sort this out?

gmzanatta · 08-21-2017, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

Doesn't the auto leveling sort this out?

To a point, depends on how slammed the car is.

ChrisK · 08-21-2017, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

Doesn't the auto leveling sort this out?

Auto leveling accounts for passengers/weight. The level is still based on a baseline setting at the factory.

I have raised the headlights on every BMW I have owned. BMW seems to aim them lower then I like. Search across all the BMW forums, you find I am not alone in this.

The M2... seems to be the first BMW they are set correctly.

Fuman · 07-13-2018, 08:28 PM

I've since learnt that the right drivers side lamp dips and angles outward under 40 kmh. I needed help from a friend to send me pictures of how his lights point in reverse gear, neutral and high beam.

The best way is the set height of passenger lamp, and turn on high beam to adjust level and gap between drivers side lamp vs passenger side.

Technically both lamps on high beam should be perpendicular when pointed onto wall - the horizontal position.

ZPrime · 07-19-2018, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuman

I've since learnt that the right drivers side lamp dips and angles outward under 40 kmh. I needed help from a friend to send me pictures of how his lights point in reverse gear, neutral and high beam.

The best way is the set height of passenger lamp, and turn on high beam to adjust level and gap between drivers side lamp vs passenger side.

Technically both lamps on high beam should be perpendicular when pointed onto wall - the horizontal position.

Yeah, a non-US car should have VLD coded from the factory, meaning your beams are going to move around at lower speed, they drop a bit more and fan out to the sides to help illuminate more sidewalk/etc at "city speeds."

Putting it in reverse should revert them back to "normal," or at least that's how my US-spec car with VLD enabled via coding behaves. So to adjust the lights at normal height, put it in reverse and shut off the engine I guess? Or, maybe the lights don't adjust if the engine isn't running... I haven't checked that.

AndrewC1989 · 07-19-2018, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZPrime

Or, maybe the lights don't adjust if the engine isn't running...

That's correct. Engine has to be running for VLD to be enabled. They won't pan out in accessory mode, even if the headlights are switched on.

ZPrime · 07-19-2018, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewc89

That's correct. Engine has to be running for VLD to work. As soon as you start the car and enable the headlights the drivers side will pan out.

Ah, so problem solved then. Put it in "run" / accessory mode and turn on headlights, engine off. Adjust height with the screw then, and simply be aware that VLD will drop them lower and spread them out at lower speeds (this is on purpose and expected).

BSMF87 · 07-19-2018, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZPrime

Ah, so problem solved then. Put it in "run" / accessory mode and turn on headlights, engine off. Adjust height with the screw then, and simply be aware that VLD will drop them lower and spread them out at lower speeds (this is on purpose and expected).

You can also turn off auto headlights while the car is running by turning the headlight dial all the way to the right, headlights will be on in standard mode/ VLD off.

ZPrime · 07-20-2018, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSMF87

You can also turn off auto headlights while the car is running by turning the headlight dial all the way to the right, headlights will be on in standard mode/ VLD off.

Oh, they don't VLD/move around when in "on" mode, only in auto!? I was not aware of that. I wonder why?

Fugly M3 · 07-20-2018, 04:50 PM

I've done a lot of headlight adjustment as well over the years. I've always found I can never get it perfect like a shop would. On my current 230i, they seem to have come from the factory very well adjusted, even are fine post Dinan spring drop. I'd say I owe this to the fact that the I did European Delivery. In fact, the car in general seems to have slightly higher quality that other BMWs I've had. It's almost like they once-over the car more than once for ED customers. Even the paint pre-perfecting and coating had less orange peel.

switlikbob · 08-27-2019, 07:59 AM

Thanks for this info!

08-11-2017, 08:52 AM	#1
Fuman Private First Class 24 Rep 115 Posts Drives: F87 DCT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	I lowered my car with KW HAS and the head lights needed height (Vertical) adjustment. So if there isn't info on adjusting the headlights, here's one: See image attached - based on front left head light. Use your imagination for the right head light. The adjustment screw is just above and in the middle of both the heat sinks for the lights. I used a Philips screw driver. Projecting onto a wall about 5m away, every half turn anti clockwise raises the beam by about 10mm. Trial and error. (FYI- There's also horizontal adjustment but I didn't need it) Attached Images __________________ Current garage F87 DCT KW-HAS, and F20 N20. Previous E92 N54 FBO 100%-E85, E90 N52, E46, E21.
	Appreciate 1 bollinm25.00 Tweet Quote

08-21-2017, 11:21 AM	#2
DivideBYZero Never underestimate the Home-Bowl 484 Rep 821 Posts Drives: F87 M2<E92 M3<E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00] 2016 BMW M235i [0.00] 2012 BMW 120d M Spo ... [0.00] 2010 BMW M3 - SOLD [10.00] 2002 BMW Z3 2.2i Sport [0.00] 2001 BMW M3 - SOLD [9.00]	Doesn't the auto leveling sort this out? __________________ 2017 F87 M2, MG, M-DCT 2002 E36/7 Z3 2.2 Sport 5MT 2016 F22 M235i Coupe, MW, ZF8
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-13-2018, 08:28 PM	#5
Fuman Private First Class 24 Rep 115 Posts Drives: F87 DCT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Perth iTrader: (0)	I've since learnt that the right drivers side lamp dips and angles outward under 40 kmh. I needed help from a friend to send me pictures of how his lights point in reverse gear, neutral and high beam. The best way is the set height of passenger lamp, and turn on high beam to adjust level and gap between drivers side lamp vs passenger side. Technically both lamps on high beam should be perpendicular when pointed onto wall - the horizontal position. __________________ Current garage F87 DCT KW-HAS, and F20 N20. Previous E92 N54 FBO 100%-E85, E90 N52, E46, E21.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-20-2018, 04:50 PM	#11
Fugly M3 Major General 5029 Rep 5,093 Posts Drives: 2023 M3CX Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5)	I've done a lot of headlight adjustment as well over the years. I've always found I can never get it perfect like a shop would. On my current 230i, they seem to have come from the factory very well adjusted, even are fine post Dinan spring drop. I'd say I owe this to the fact that the I did European Delivery. In fact, the car in general seems to have slightly higher quality that other BMWs I've had. It's almost like they once-over the car more than once for ED customers. Even the paint pre-perfecting and coating had less orange peel. __________________ 2024 M4CX M2C PCD M2C Mountain West Roadie M4 Cross Country Roadie 2017 230i ED 2023 G87 Nurburgring Trip
	Appreciate 1 Fuman23.50 Quote

08-27-2019, 07:59 AM	#12
switlikbob Chuggin' Along 333 Rep 588 Posts Drives: 2017 LBB ///M2 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Southern NJ iTrader: (0)	Thanks for this info!
	Appreciate 0 Quote