How to manually adjust headlights

[wyc]

I have the 2011 SX iAWD.

I changed my headlights to HID and there's inner ones that the shop tried to change to LED, but it came out purple. And they said, the socket was designed to give it a purple glow even with the whitest bulb they have. (I'm planning on changing it back to my stock bulbs for those purple lights)

After I changed my HIDs, I realized the beam was aimed too high, and I noticed my headlights were flashing into people's rearview mirror.

I looked at the manual to see if I could manually adjust them, but I couldn't find anything.

Anybody know how to lower my auto-leveling headlights?

[KuroNekko]

First of all, I need to confirm that you have a non-factory HID kit. Models with HID from the factory (not even offered in the US) should have auto-levelers. These are operated by a dial typically located next to the fog light switch for our cars.
You will only find auto-levelers on cars with factory HID as they are required by law in most places.

Given that you state you changed to HID, I am assuming these are aftermarket. Therefore the car would not have come with auto-levelers. You need to adjust headlight beam height by opening the hood and then looking at the plastic piece above the headlight. You will see a bunch of rivets and holes. Around one hole on each side, there will be a marking that has U <---> D. This hole contains the screw that adjust the headlight vertical angle. Insert a Phillips (+) screw driver and turn in the direction of D to adjust Down. Do this with the headlight on against a wall so you can see the beam aim lower. Stop turning once it is level.

I have found that you cannot adjust the horizontal Left to Right because a plastic piece blocks access to the adjusting screw (at least in US models). I am looking to get around that as I also have aftermarket HIDs and my left headlight (drivers side for US) is aiming too far into the right side. I have heard this was deliberate to not blind oncoming traffic, but I need more light output on left side as it's the driver side. On a dark empty road, it's harder to see what's on the left side of the road. I rather aim a little down than to the side for the sake of other drivers.

[Northernstar]

when you are adjusting, how can you tell if the headlight is leveled or not??

[KuroNekko]

when you are adjusting, how can you tell if the headlight is leveled or not??

You are supposed to adjust while the headlights are on and shining onto a clear (as in unmarked, unobstructed) wall. The service manual has specific instructions on aiming, angles, distance, etc.

Typically, I just park the car on a flat surface in a garage and aim the headlights onto a wall from something like 35 feet away (a distance where I can start to see where the offset headlight aims off target).
You are also supposed to have a full tank of gas and someone in the driver's seat. I also have heard you should rock the car to level the suspension. I rock the car and usually have the tank full, but I usually do it alone so no one in the driver's seat.

The problem I see with the Kizashi is that the horizontal (left to right) adjustment screw is blocked by what appears to be a piece of plastic deliberately placed there. The piece appears to be removable, but it would take some effort. My left (US driver-side) headlight aims to the right so I want to correct this sometime. Does anyone else have a driver's side headlight that goes into the other side? I read somewhere on this forum that it was designed that way to not blind oncoming drivers by having the beam focused in the opposite direction.
You can notice this on a dark, unlit road or if the headlights shine on a wall from a distance of over 50 feet.

I personally rather have my headlights cover the entire road and aimed slightly down to not blind oncoming traffic. I have HIDs so this is especially important. Projector lenses (like what the Kizashi has for the low beams) help focus light where it is needed and out of where it is not.

[Ronzuki]

yeah we all seem to have the issue with the left beam focused on the ditch along the right side of the road. Once my warranty is out, that plastic bugger is getting drilled and the beam is coming left. There's another thread somewhere on the topic.

[wylie-c]

The adjuster is definately there, I already broke the offending piece off and adjusted the left side back toward the road.

[KuroNekko]

Any tips on removing the piece? It definitely moves when you go at it. Almost like it snaps into place from the top. Does it come off if pushed out from the bottom?