[sciphi]

Tonight was the first time driving my Cruze after dark. Something seemed a little off with the headlights during twilight, so with the help of a family friend I did an impromptu alignment. At 25 feet from the front bumper the cutoff from the headlights was raised by approximately 4", or ~2 full turns of the adjuster bolt (8mm head) Driving later, the headlights performed very nicely, with a good throw and excellent illumination on low beam. The high beams weren't that great, so I'll back off the lights by 1/4 turn, for a total of 1.75 turns of the adjuster.

Our Honda with its 9003/H4 headlights needed the exact same thing done to it right after delivery, so this wasn't my first time adjusting single-bulb headlight systems.

If your stock headlights are annoying you with their lack of illumination, try adjusting them up by 1.5 complete turns. The results may surprise you.

 

[sciphi]

Bumping this after adjustment and driving. I ended up adjusting the headlights up ~1.5 turns from stock and putting in some slightly nicer headlight bulbs. The result was a much improved low beam, with much improved throw down the road.

 

[Patman]

Good thing I saw this post. I was considering new lights etc. I adjusted my headlights and as the blind man says: "I can see!!!!!" I thought my night time vision was getting worse since I bought this car! Not I adjusted the lights I can see at night again!


Thx.

 

[sciphi]

Welcome! Glad to hear it helped you out!

 

[CLUBGUY]

Good thing I saw this post. I was considering new lights etc. I adjusted my headlights and as the blind man says: "I can see!!!!!" I thought my night time vision was getting worse since I bought this car! Not I adjusted the lights I can see at night again!


Thx.

I recently had the chance to drive my wife's LT 1 at night; felt the same as you about the low beams; where is the " adjustment screw/bolt"..............Thanks-in-advance

 

[sciphi]

It's the only white wheel on the backside of the headlights. An 8mm wrench or socket fits perfectly on it.

 

[EcoCruzer]

So, from 25ft what height is the cutoff at? Before and after.

 

[CLUBGUY]

It's the only white wheel on the backside of the headlights. An 8mm wrench or socket fits perfectly on it.

Thanks....

 

[sciphi]

So, from 25ft what height is the cutoff at? Before and after.

IIRC the cutoff was 22" from the factory. It should be about 23.5" to 24" after everything is said and done.

 

[RSchmidt624]

To aim them properly you need to measure to the center of the headlight (where the bulb sits) to the ground. Then at 25" away measure the center of the headlight beam on a wall to the ground. The center of the beam should be 2" or so lower than the distance from the ground to the bulb to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.

 

[sndguy]

To aim them properly you need to measure to the center of the headlight (where the bulb sits) to the ground. Then at 25" away measure the center of the headlight beam on a wall to the ground. The center of the beam should be 2" or so lower than the distance from the ground to the bulb to avoid blinding oncoming traffic.

Do you mean 25' away, 2' high? Spinal Tap, anyone?

 

[dbaydoun]

Great suggestion. A few turns and I can see again! :eusa_clap:

 

[sciphi]

Do you mean 25' away, 2' high? Spinal Tap, anyone?

Yes, hit the wrong key unknowingly. Thanks for spotting the error!

 

[Dpedraza]

well I did raise mine a hair. Def improvement over the stock aiming. The stock aiming put my headlights like 15-18' from my car and feel on the road. I couldn't see well.

 

[Starks8]

Are members who have recently purchased a new to recently built 2012 Cruze from factory, still seeing the need to adjust the headlights?

 

[obermd]

Mine appear to be good. 2012 ECO MT mfg date Oct 2011. I did add fog lamps to handle the close in lighting requirements for nightime wildlife viewing.

 

[Starks8]

What is the best way to tell if the headlights need to be adjusted from factory? Is this something the dealership would be able to spot and correct if you were to bring it up and ask them to check the headlight alignment?

How are the owners of the recently built 2012 Cruze owners seeing and feeling about the headlight alignment?

Would putting the Sylvania SilverStar headlight bulbs in the Cruze make a noticeable difference over the stock headlight bulbs when it comes to high beam and low beam projection? Especially if you get the beam alignment right? Thanks!

 

[sciphi]

What is the best way to tell if the headlights need to be adjusted from factory? Is this something the dealership would be able to spot and correct if you were to bring it up and ask them to check the headlight alignment?

How are the owners of the recently built 2012 Cruze owners seeing and feeling about the headlight alignment?

Would putting the Sylvania SilverStar headlight bulbs in the Cruze make a noticeable difference over the stock headlight bulbs when it comes to high bean and low beam projection? Especially if you get the beam alignment right? Thanks!

They'll tell you it's fine from the factory, and don't mess with it. That's a crock.

The directions for how to do this should be earlier in the thread. If they're not or you need more explanation, I'd be happy to explain.

For bulbs, get the Sylvania XtraVisions, or my current favorites, Philips H13 bulbs. The SilverStars are blue-coated, over-priced junk that make night vision worse, especially in rain/snow. The OEM bulbs are made for long life, not for good light output. Replacing them is best for improved vision at night.

 

[XtremeAaron]

I adjusted mine a few days after I took delivery. I could tell because the headlights only lit up a few hundred feet in front of the vehicle. My lifted Silverado lit up everything great so the cruze had to fill those shoes.

 

[Starks8]

They'll tell you it's fine from the factory, and don't mess with it. That's a crock.

The directions for how to do this should be earlier in the thread. If they're not or you need more explanation, I'd be happy to explain.

For bulbs, get the Sylvania XtraVisions, or my current favorites, Philips H13 bulbs. The SilverStars are blue-coated, over-priced junk that make night vision worse, especially in rain/snow. The OEM bulbs are made for long life, not for good light output. Replacing them is best for improved vision at night.

Could I get a shop like Merchants to do it if the dealership isn't willing to? Is there a specific spec that GM states that the headlight beams should be at so cruze owners know where to align the headlight beams? Also if you are willing to give more explanation on how to do this for me (can PM it) that would be muchly appreciated. Also why are the extravisions better then the Silverstars? What size and where could I get them from? Also I thought it was the silverstar Ultras that were junk and bad for night driving. Where can the philip h13 bulbs for the cruze be found and bought?