DIY headlight up/down adjustment

[jakeCT]

For anyone needing to adjust the vertical aim of their headlight low beams-

I had not seen this posted before, and it's omitted from the manual.

My J1.1 car has LED Matrix PDLS+ headlights. The adjustment screw may differ on other models.

Just as a FYI, this is mentioned in the manual:

Tool needed:

PH1 precision screwdriver (PH2 may work as well)


Steps:

1. Remove top plastic cover
(from manual)

2. Remove side plastic covers
The front cover near the bumper does not need to be removed. Gently remove the rubber ends on the sides, sideways (red arrows). There are 2 metal trim fasteners (orange arrows) which should be pulled straight up. After the panel is removed, ensure the metal fasteners are firmly attached to the plastic panel before reinstalling.

3. Headlight up/down adjustment

passenger side

with PH1 screwdriver

driver side

close-up of adjustment screw on driver side (note the "up" marking and arrow); as an aside I would guess the other adjustment with the cover is for horizontal aiming and should not be touched.

-----

It should go without saying to avoid raising it to a point it causes glare to other drivers. There are many online guides for how best to aim your headlights (flat surface, tape on wall, measuring tape, etc). After adjustment, study your beam pattern to ensure it's not too high; other drivers flashing you would indicate that is probably the case. Make readjustments as necessary.

Unless your beam is clearly set too low, it may be best to have the service center perform this task.

My car was recently serviced and had the cooling fans replaced which involved adjustment of the headlight aim. The low beams were set so low it was not illuminating license plates of sedans ahead of mine, and substantially worse road illumination than our Model 3. I accidentally stumbled on the adjustment screw while looking for rattles (service broke/lost 2 fasteners). After the adjustment, despite missing adaptive headlights in the US, the low beams illuminate the road perfectly now.

May your new year be brighter!

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[Taycan4S_UK]

Nice! Thanks​

 

[acull2000]

Anyone finding this who is trying to prevent being flashed by other drivers when using "auto-high beam" on LED-Matrix lights, note:

• there is a self-calibration procedure worth trying
• it may be worth checking/toggling your "Inverted setting of dipped beam" to ensure it's correct (and the tick box is linked to the reality)
  
  

 

[W1NGE]

For anyone needing to adjust the vertical aim of their headlight low beams-

I had not seen this posted before, and it's omitted from the manual.

My J1.1 car has LED Matrix PDLS+ headlights. The adjustment screw may differ on other models.

Just as a FYI, this is mentioned in the manual:

Tool needed:

PH1 precision screwdriver (PH2 may work as well)


Steps:

1. Remove top plastic cover
(from manual)

2. Remove side plastic covers
The front cover near the bumper does not need to be removed. Gently remove the rubber ends on the sides, sideways (red arrows). There are 2 metal trim fasteners (orange arrows) which should be pulled straight up. After the panel is removed, ensure the metal fasteners are firmly attached to the plastic panel before reinstalling.

3. Headlight up/down adjustment

passenger side

with PH1 screwdriver

driver side

close-up of adjustment screw on driver side (note the "up" marking and arrow); as an aside I would guess the other adjustment with the cover is for horizontal aiming and should not be touched.

-----

It should go without saying to avoid raising it to a point it causes glare to other drivers. There are many online guides for how best to aim your headlights (flat surface, tape on wall, measuring tape, etc). After adjustment, study your beam pattern to ensure it's not too high; other drivers flashing you would indicate that is probably the case. Make readjustments as necessary.

Unless your beam is clearly set too low, it may be best to have the service center perform this task.

My car was recently serviced and had the cooling fans replaced which involved adjustment of the headlight aim. The low beams were set so low it was not illuminating license plates of sedans ahead of mine, and substantially worse road illumination than our Model 3. I accidentally stumbled on the adjustment screw while looking for rattles (service broke/lost 2 fasteners). After the adjustment, despite missing adaptive headlights in the US, the low beams illuminate the road perfectly now.

May your new year be brighter!

Did you not first try to recalibrate by simply pointing the car at a white wall and let the camera (which controls the lights) do its job?

 

[jakeCT]

Did you not first try to recalibrate by simply pointing the car at a white wall and let the camera (which controls the lights) do its job?

Yes, auto-calibration could not compensate for the mechanical base alignment being set too low. As an aside, the auto-calibration does a fine job at leveling beams for both sides and adjusting rotation angles too (I saw the calibrated values in PIWIS) making it look like a continuous and seamless beam for ECE headlights.

 

[Taycan4S_UK]

I actually need to adjust mine. Mine is way too low

 

[mystermykee]

I will add that if you don't have a PIWIS to do this, you should put the headlights in manual mode yourself before adjusting, especially with matrix.

 

[acull2000]

Yes, auto-calibration could not compensate for the mechanical base alignment being set too low. As an aside, the auto-calibration does a fine job at leveling beams for both sides and adjusting rotation angles too (I saw the calibrated values in PIWIS) making it look like a continuous and seamless beam for ECE headlights.

@jakeCT would you be able to upload a video of your calibration routine running (and specifically what your beam pattern looks like afterwards please)?

 

[Taycan4S_UK]

I will add that if you don't have a PIWIS to do this, you should put the headlights in manual mode yourself before adjusting, especially with matrix.

How do you adjust the height with PIWIS? Mind sharing please?

 

[mystermykee]

How do you adjust the height with PIWIS? Mind sharing please?

PIWIS in normal mode-->Front End Electronics-->Maintenance tab

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