Apparently you CAN manually adjust the HIDs... here are the official steps (edited slightly):

1. Adjust tire pressure to specification
2. Position the unloaded vehicle on a flat, level surface
3. Seat one person in the driver's seat
4. Position the vehicle straight ahead and perpendicular to a flat wall
5. Set the headlights about 10ft. from a flat wall
6. Place an object in front of the headlight not being adjusted to block the beam.
7. start the engine so the battery will remain charged.
8. Turn on the low-beam headlights
9. Adjust the headlights by turning the adjusting screw as shown in the figure.



Driver's side (L/F)


Passenger's side (R/F)



NOTE: If the adjusting bolts are tightened first, then loosened, they will continue to loosen when the vehicle is in motion and may cause the headlights to become misaligned. Always turn the screws in the tightening direction when finished.

 

Thanks. I am planning on adjusting mine soon.

 

This needs to be a sticky

 

Not to be an *** or anything, but this in no more helpful than the service manual. I have done EXACTLY this as described to no effect.

This is hardly sticky material.

 

I was able to successfully adjust my headlights with these instructions... really they are overly detailed (copied/paraphrased from a shop manual) but they give you an idea of how to accurately set the headlights... and actually not everyone has access to shop manuals (alldata/mitchell etc..).

I think many on the forums don't realize that, even though the HIDs are self-adjusting, there is the ability to manually adjust them. I set mine about two weeks ago and they haven't budged a millimeter.

 

The issue is many don't fully read through a thread and when they see someone saying that you can't manually adjust the HIDs, they didn't read previously that the conversation was directed towards if your sensors are malfunctioning, adjusting them won't do a thing.
Meaning you can level them manually, but it'll just lower itself back down.
Its one of those things that should have been written like, "You can't manually adjust them (and expect them to stay) if the sensors are defective".

 

Uh, THIS ^^^ was educational. Thanks .

 

So if the sensors are working properly, you can manually adjust them and they will stay? Right?

 

Thanks for this!

 

sorry to bump an old thread but im using the search function .

My hids also seem to be misaligned, with the right appearing to aim higher than the left or vice versa. I notice the difference mostly when pulling up to my garage where the beams have an almost razor sharp line on top and about 2-3" of height seperation between them. If I manually adjust them and they go back to that same level can I take the car in under warrantee to have it fixed, provided that my VIN is not included in the TSB for faulty sensors?
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...8-07-1729a.pdf

 

RxMadness- You don't want both sides to be level.
They are setup in a "Z" pattern for a reason.
The left side is lower than the right so that you don't blind incoming traffic.

 

Really? for the last few weeks I found it to be a bit of an annoyance.. I guess its something I'll have to get used to then.

 

I know after getting my 8 back from the shop my low beams only light up about 4ft of the road in front of me, so this thread might help , but how do I know if I have HID's

 

Sorry to bring up such an old thread, but......What type of a screwdriver will turn that screw? I'm trying to adjust mine, but am having difficulty getting the little bugger to turn.

 

nice

 

I actually adjust it through the wheel-well, found it to be easier:


Been a while, but I recall it having a hex-head so you can also use a socket.
Might have been either 8mm or 10mm.
And make SMALL adjustment turns... like 1/4 turn max because it doesn't take much.
The light may only raise a small amount when you're shining against the wall, but when you're on the road and shining at objects 50ft away, its much higher!

 

While changing the plugs on my car this weekend, I noticed a broken part that I belive to be the auto headlight adjuster. In the attached picture, it appears that a rod is broken. Also, I'm trying to determine if the bracket on the bottom is bent. Can someone look at the picture and see if I need to straighten it out before replacing the rod? Also, anyone know where I can get a replacment adjusting rod?

 

that looks like an end link to a sway bar...car been riding rough or banging around?

 

Thats the auto light leveler not the endlink.

 

I understand your trying to help, but your incorrect, Paimon is correct.

 

Sorry to hijack but my car is a gt so it has HIDS right. But for some reason it does not auto level. When i turn them on they dont seem do move up or down. Is this normal? I wanna be able for them to auto level.

 

you won't be able to notice them 'moving up and down' like some cars do. If you set the car up toward a wall and the lights are significantly low, then I'd worry about adjusting them.

 

Well my driveway is fairly steep (so my headlights point up when im on my driveway). And my garage door is black. When i turn on my HIDs i dont see them leveling.

 

I think, don't quote me on this, to see them move you have to just raise/lower the rear driver tire or front driver tire. the driver-side wheels are the ones with the sensors.

I have never seen mine or anyone else's 8 'auto-level' like mini coopers for instance. ie. Turn car on and they shift up and down and then stop at a certain point. I think ours are much more subtle..

 

Oh okay. Yea I've never seen mine 'auto level' like mini coopers as you said. Or a better example are beamers. I guess its really subtle and you barely notice it.