How to adjust headlight aiming level?

[rogerkiu]

Hi all! Just a stupid question: How to adjust my X's HID headlight aiming level? I saw two white thing on the top of each headlight, which one is for which function?

By the way, is there any forum like this for BMW E46 3ers?

Thanks!

[Kris@modmynav]

Hello,

Passanger side : Turn outer screw CW lowers the low beam/CCW raises.
Driver side : Turn outer screw CW raises beam/ CCW lowers

for E46 M3 forum, try http://www.e46fanatics.com

[xnsf]

the two white things turn a black toothed-dial. they are used to adjust the normalized hieght of the headlights (meaning that's where the auto level up and down). in my experience, those white knobs are very easy to wear, so be careful, because if you use the wrong tool, you'll scrap out the indent and then you'll have to rotate the black dial which is tougher to turn

and here: forums.e46fanatics.com

[rogerkiu]

Thanks a lot! So what is the inner screw for? Is it possible to adjust horizontally?

[Eric Giles]

Originally Posted by rogerkiu

Thanks a lot! So what is the inner screw for? Is it possible to adjust horizontally?

Actually, the inner screw adjusts the vertical up/down aim of the headlights. The outer screws adjust them on the horizontal plane.

[Tomaz]

First make sure that your automatic headlight sensor is not out of alignment. You may be trying to mechanically adjust to compensate for the sensor position that is out of adjustment. The sensor is attached to the right front suspension. Good luck

[Sterling 4.4]

Does anyone know the correct alignment dimensions? Usually you shine the lights on a wall or garage door and measure wher ethe lights hit.

[rogerkiu]

My HID headlights does not equip with auto headlight sensor since it originally came with halogen headlights. I replaced them by myself, not factory fitted. Thanks!

[nietodp]

Just so you know, the X5 comes with an uneven headlight setup. The driver's side headlight is adjusted to be slightly lower so that it doesn't blind oncoming traffic. If you shine your headlights against a wall, they will not be even.

I'm not saying that you can't set them up even. I'm just letting you know what the factory setting is so that you won't think that that your lights are not aligned correctly if you notice this.

[white lancer]

Originally Posted by Tomaz

First make sure that your automatic headlight sensor is not out of alignment. You may be trying to mechanically adjust to compensate for the sensor position that is out of adjustment. The sensor is attached to the right front suspension. Good luck

I did not know that the X5 had an automatic headlight sensor

I recently replaced most of my front suspension - torsion arms, control arms, lower ball joints, bushes, sway bar links etc. I have recently noticed that my headlights are rather high and I get flashed quite a lot by other motorists. I have Xenon lights which are very bright.

How can I check the automatic headlight sensor attached to the right front suspension to see if it in the correct position?

Is it easier to adjust the white screw on the top of the headlights to lower the beam?