73pop
Registered User
how do i adjust the hight of the beam? Now the nights are getting longer and driving a friends s3 i have realised how low they are.
thanks
thanks
headlight height
- Thread starter 73pop
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There's a pair of phillips screw / allen key fitment adjusters on top of both headlamps, although Xenons shouldn't be adjusted as they are self levelling hence the lack of thumbwheel on the dash. Best left to someone with a beamsetter to ensure they're set to the correct level tbh.
Does it require VCDS to adjust? or can it be done with just manually adjusting screw #2?
I done mine without VCDS as I didn't have the info above when I done mine - doing it now I'd probably try with VCDS.
Turned both sides 1 1/2 turns anti clockwise and they're much better. Put a small paint index mark on the adjuster which makes it much easier to count the half turns.
Guess if I find some time I could turn them back then try the above with VCDS.
By the way it's adjuster 3 for dipped beam and adjuster 2 for main - I adjusted 3 only.
As mikemod said, the procedure states that adjuster 3 is for side-to-side adjustments...
Good spot may have to take another look at mine - as I said done mine before finding the fix above.
Will have a hunt in VCDS for the basic settings for when adjusting too.
Will have a hunt in VCDS for the basic settings for when adjusting too.
Reset adjuster 3 to stock (really worth having the index mark and making a note of how many turns you adjust!), it definitely seems lower but could well be because the light is now more focused on the kerb.
I need to have a play over the weekend ideally parked in front of a wall or garage door so you can see the effect immediately of the adjustments that you're making.
I need to have a play over the weekend ideally parked in front of a wall or garage door so you can see the effect immediately of the adjustments that you're making.
I got Audi to adjust mine up as they were far too low, it's better than it was but I still think it needs a bit more adjustment.
I'd do it myself if it was possible in conjunction with VCDS.
I'd do it myself if it was possible in conjunction with VCDS.
So, am I right in thinking that if I connect my VCDS cable, go into channel 55, go to each headlight in turn and adjust it with a screwdriver until it's the right height, then come out of the vcds program. This will store the settings and when I switch off the ignition and then switch it on again, it will apply these settings?
Just want to be sure I know the sequence before I try it.
Just want to be sure I know the sequence before I try it.
I'd like to know if this works too, could be a job for the weekend.
So it turns out I'd adjusted the right screw after all so no wonder my headlamp beam went lower after I turned it back to factory settings. Here it is with the paint mark :-
Just read my own extract from the workshop manual that I posted above wrong - must have been a long day.
Anyway done it again this time using VCDS, I'm assuming that in module 55 this is the setting that the workshop extract refers too :-
So I hit GO (the sample rate counter starts), made the adjustment then hit STOP, No idea what this does but I've done it so will see if anything unexpected happens in the next few days.
Just read my own extract from the workshop manual that I posted above wrong - must have been a long day.
Anyway done it again this time using VCDS, I'm assuming that in module 55 this is the setting that the workshop extract refers too :-
So I hit GO (the sample rate counter starts), made the adjustment then hit STOP, No idea what this does but I've done it so will see if anything unexpected happens in the next few days.
Another silly question, is it okay to do the adjustment with the headlamps on?
Yes ;o)
Yes absolutely, did mine facing the garage door with the lights on and could clearly see the beam raise as I turned the adjuster.
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I had mine adjusted by Audi when I'd lowered the car and was spot on.
Now it seems they have gone down since my service.
So are we saying it's adjuster 2 and anti clockwise to raise from the front of the car ?
Now it seems they have gone down since my service.
So are we saying it's adjuster 2 and anti clockwise to raise from the front of the car ?
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Did 1 full turn anti-clockwise. I'm heading out soon so it'll be interesting to see the difference.
It's not that bad, nobody was flashing at me. It's just a tad higher than it needs to be.
Just to confirm it's the bolt with the little green paint mark next to it?
Any I'm turning the screw with a screwdriver or the nut with a spanner?
Nope, wrong one. It's the white plastic Philips/Hex screw to the left of that bolt which is also about 30mm..ish nearer the rear of the car.
As above ..... it's this one, pretty sure it's a 5mm or 6mm Allen key. Helps if you paint a mark at the top of the screw so you don't loose where you are when counting half turns. This is your image ....
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Hmm I've had a go.
I've thought for a while my RH headlight was lower than my LH.
I got to as flat a surface as possible and shone up against a wall. It did look slightly lower so moved them both up a bit and until they showed at a similar level.
Not sure about the xenon but the LED don't seem to project symmetrical patterns or very clean edges so it was quite difficult.
On the way home they are now lighting to just above the rear number plate on car in front whereas before they hardly caught it.
I've thought for a while my RH headlight was lower than my LH.
I got to as flat a surface as possible and shone up against a wall. It did look slightly lower so moved them both up a bit and until they showed at a similar level.
Not sure about the xenon but the LED don't seem to project symmetrical patterns or very clean edges so it was quite difficult.
On the way home they are now lighting to just above the rear number plate on car in front whereas before they hardly caught it.
The left hand pattern is supposed to be slightly higher than the right.
So does this work well for led lights as mine seem so low... I was worried I should not change for led but sounds like easy half twist both sides should do trick?? so do others find led far too low?
Yes I'm LED too - it's fine.
Do them both the same amount unless there's a good reason not to and keep a record of how much you have turned them - suggest 1 complete turn anti clockwise to start with.
When you go for a test drive take the screwdriver or Allen key with you and if you get flashed then back them off half a turn.
If you set your headlights too high the high beam becomes less effective so try and get it spot on.
I turned mine about 2 full turns.
They had felt really low, now what a revelation, can't believe I've driven like that for so long.
Nobody flashing me yet but concerned if they are too high, will Audi usually set them for free?
They hit just above rear numberplate on a handful of different cars.
They had felt really low, now what a revelation, can't believe I've driven like that for so long.
Nobody flashing me yet but concerned if they are too high, will Audi usually set them for free?
They hit just above rear numberplate on a handful of different cars.
Sean6211
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Instead of playing hit or miss with the turns, there are measurements you can do that ensures the right aim for your headlights.
The stock LED and HIDs have a dip specification of 1.0%. This means if you aim the headlights to a wall 10m away on a level surface, the beam ends up 10cm below the headlight height marked on the wall. Plenty of good DIYs on aiming your headlights, do a google search.
The stock LED and HIDs have a dip specification of 1.0%. This means if you aim the headlights to a wall 10m away on a level surface, the beam ends up 10cm below the headlight height marked on the wall. Plenty of good DIYs on aiming your headlights, do a google search.
