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.

 

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

 

Welcome! Glad to hear it helped you out!

 

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

 

Thanks....

 

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.

 

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?

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

On my 2012 LS I had to do about a turn and a half to have the cutoff at 2ft, such a huge improvement. This was back in march when I purchased/made the change.

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

 

They come to low from the factory. Think counter clockwise raises I forget but just do it at night against a wall or garage door and you'll see which way they are going.

 

Counterclockwise to raise is correct, clockwise to lower. Screw down (in) to lower, back out, (up) to raise. I have been messing with mine a little bit. 1/4 turn will do a lot to fine tune. I keep mine up as high as I can without getting the oncoming bright flash from other motorists. I drive at night about 1/3 of the year and am always watching out for deer on the road. I saw 3 cross in front of me this morning.

 

Anybody.......Which way to turn to raise the beams?

 

IIRC it's clockwise. Have the headlights on and aimed at a wall. If the beam lowers, go the other way. Make sure to count the turns the screwdriver is making!!! They don't need much adjustment, maybe 1-1.5 complete turns up.

 

How do you determine center of the headlight beam

 

Every car and motorcycle I've ever owned has needed its headlights raised. I don't get all techie with measurements etc. Just adjust low beam so whem following a standard height sedan the cut off is just below their outside mirrors on a level hiway.

If you drive at night like I do (every night) Keep the screwdriver with you and fine tune balancing the high beam pattern.

 

Working through this thread this is what I came up with.
Happy to amend if there is GM documentation on the alignment limits or if my figures are out.
I'm sure they will have a documented procedure floating around somewhere..

 

GM considers the headlights "pre-aligned" from the factory. I needed one replaced after a wildlife strike, and it was pointed into the ground, just like the headlights were when I picked the car up. Re-aligning it was needed.

 

Brand new Cruze, vision impairment, headlamps unsafe? Adjusted twice along with brighter headlamp bulbs installed, all done by dealership, and was told this voided the warranty.GM claims design and has no other complaints. Has anyone else complained to GM about this? Going to arbitration. Would appreciate any responses.

 

nosnow54,

I am sorry to hear you are having this concern with your head lamps. If you would like, I can look into your case further. I can not make any promises, but I can look into your case. Please private message me your name, VIN, address, phone number, and dealership. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

I reaimed 3/4 turn higher on my 2014, MUCH better now. Tried 1 full turn first and it seemed like it was starting to flirt with other drivers' mirrors, so I backed off a touch. Also I put a small Sharpie mark on the top of each white screw before I started as a reference point for tweaking or returning to factory setting.

 

Thanks for the thread. Adjusted mine today. Way better. 1 1/2 turns for me

 

I changed my bulbs and they never said anything about voiding the warranty

 

ill have to give this a try. i have hids but my windsheild is also tinted so ill just start off with one full turn and give it a try.

 

Gonna try this tonight. Thanks man.

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App