If your Honda Accord’s headlights seem misaligned, you’re in the right place. Learning how do you adjust the headlights on Honda Accord is a straightforward task you can do at home. Properly aimed headlights are crucial for safe night driving, ensuring you can see the road without blinding other drivers. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from preparation to fine-tuning.
You’ll need just a few basic tools and a flat surface. We’ll cover both vertical and horizontal adjustments. Whether you’ve just installed new bulbs, noticed your lights are pointing too low or high, or recently carried a heavy load, this adjustment can make a big difference. Let’s get your Accord’s illumination back on track.
How Do You Adjust The Headlights On Honda Accord
This section provides the core adjustment procedure. The steps are generally similar for most Accord model years, though the location of adjusters might vary slightly. Always consult your owner’s manual for model-specific details if you’re unsure.
What You’ll Need for the Job
- A clean, level surface (like a garage floor or empty parking lot).
- A vertical wall or garage door (plain, without obstructions).
- Measuring tape.
- Masking tape or painter’s tape.
- A Phillips screwdriver or a long #2 Phillips bit (most common).
- A 10mm socket or wrench (for some models, to remove trim).
- A cloth or rag.
- A helper is useful but not essential.
Preparing Your Car and Workspace
Proper preparation is key to an accurate adjustment. Rushing this step will lead to poor results.
- Park your Accord on a perfectly level surface, facing a vertical wall roughly 10-25 feet away. The ground must be flat from the front tires to the wall.
- Ensure the tires are properly inflated. Remove any heavy items from the trunk or rear seats to simulate normal driving conditions.
- Press down on the front bumper a few times to settle the suspension. Gently rock the car side-to-side as well.
- Clean the headlight lenses with a cloth. Dirt can scatter light and make aiming difficult.
- Turn on your low beam headlights. Make sure the switch is set to low beams, not parking lights or high beams.
Marking the Reference Points on the Wall
This creates a template to measure against. Accuracy here makes the adjustment process simple.
- Pull your Accord straight forward, placing its front end as close to the wall as possible.
- Turn on the low beams. Mark the exact center of each headlight’s hot spot on the wall with a small piece of tape. Use a vertical and horizontal piece to form a “T” at the center.
- Next, measure the distance from the ground to the center of each headlight lens. Write this measurement down.
- Now, slowly back the car straight out until the front of the car is exactly 25 feet from the wall. You can use the measuring tape to check this distance from the wall to the headlight lens.
- At the 25-foot point, place a long horizontal strip of tape on the wall at the exact height you measured from the headlight centers. This tape line represents the ideal height of your headlight beams.
- Then, place two vertical strips of tape on the wall, aligned directly below the two “T” marks you made earlier. These represent the left-right centerlines of your headlights.
The ideal beam pattern should be just below the horizontal tape line and aligned with the vertical marks. If your car has projector headlights, the cut-off line should be sharp and sit right on that horizontal tape.
Locating the Adjustment Screws
You’ll need to find the adjustment screws on each headlight assembly. On most Honda Accords, you can access them from the top of the engine bay without removing the headlight.
- Open the hood and look at the back of the headlight housing. You will typically see two white, plastic, hex-shaped screws. They might have a Phillips head slot in the center.
- The vertical adjuster controls the up-and-down movement. It is usually the one closer to the fender (outer side) of the car.
- The horizontal adjuster controls the left-and-right movement. It is usually the one closer to the center of the car (inner side).
- Some models may have covers over these screws. You can gently pry them off with a flathead screwdriver. If you’re having trouble finding them, your owner’s manual is the best resource.
Step-by-Step Adjustment Procedure
Now for the main adjustment. Work on one headlight at a time, and make small, quarter-turn increments.
Adjusting the Vertical Aim (Up and Down)
- Stand in front of the car and look at the beam pattern on the wall. Cover the headlight you are NOT adjusting with a cloth or cardboard to avoid confusion.
- Locate the vertical adjustment screw on the headlight you are working on.
- Using your Phillips screwdriver, turn the screw slowly. Typically, turning it clockwise will raise the beam, and counterclockwise will lower it. But this can vary, so observe the beam on the wall as you turn.
- Adjust until the brightest part of the low beam (or the cut-off line for projectors) is sitting exactly on the horizontal tape line you made. It should be just below it, not above.
- Once satisfied, move to the other headlight and repeat the vertical adjustment.
Adjusting the Horizontal Aim (Left and Right)
- With both headlights uncovered, now look at their side-to-side alignment. The hot spot should be aligned with the vertical tape marks you made.
- Locate the horizontal adjustment screw on the first headlight.
- Turn the screw slowly. Usually, clockwise moves the beam to the right, and counterclockwise moves it to the left. Again, watch the wall to confirm.
- The goal is to have the beams straight ahead. For the left (driver’s side) headlight, the beam can be aimed slightly to the right of the centerline to help illuminate the roadside without blinding oncoming traffic. The right (passenger side) headlight is often aimed straight ahead or very slightly to the right.
- Aim for symmetry. Both beams should have a similar spread and direction relative to the center of the car.
Final Verification and Testing
After adjusting both headlights, it’s time to verify your work.
- Remove all tape from the wall.
- Take the car for a short night-time drive on a quiet, dark road. Test the low beams first.
- Pay attention to the road illumination. You should see a good spread of light without dark spots immediately in front of the car.
- Check that you are not blinding oncoming drivers or causing glare in rearview mirrors of cars ahead of you. If you are, the vertical aim is likely too high and needs to be lowered a bit.
- Park facing a wall again to do a final visual check of the beam pattern. Make any tiny tweaks if necessary.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Sometimes things don’t go perfectly. Here are some common problems and solutions.
Adjustment Screws Are Stuck or Stripped
If the screws haven’t been turned in years, they can be stiff. Apply a small amount of penetrating oil (like WD-40) around the base of the screw and let it sit for 15 minutes. Use a properly fitting screwdriver and apply steady pressure. Avoid forcing it, as the plastic can strip easily.
Beam Pattern is Uneven or Blurry
This could be due to a dirty lens on the inside, a failing bulb, or a damaged reflector inside the housing. If cleaning the outside lens doesn’t help, the headlight assembly itself may be damaged or degraded. Moisture inside the headlight will also scatter light.
One Headlight Seems Much Dimmer After Adjustment
This is likely not an aiming issue. Check the bulb on that side. It may be nearing the end of its life or have a poor electrical connection. Ensure both bulbs are the same type and wattage.
High Beams Seem Off After Low Beam Adjustment
On most Accords, adjusting the low beams also affects the high beams, as they are in the same housing. There is usually no separate adjuster for high beams. Your adjustment should prioritize correct low beam alignment for safety.
When to Seek Professional Help
While this is a DIY-friendly job, some situations warrant a pro.
- If your headlight housing is cracked or damaged, aiming it won’t fix the poor light output. It needs replacement.
- After a front-end collision, the entire headlight mounting points could be misaligned. A body shop should inspect it.
- If you have advanced adaptive headlights (like Honda’s Adaptive Front Lighting System), they require specialized calibration tools. It’s best left to a dealership or qualified technician.
- If you’ve followed all steps and the beams still won’t aim correctly, there may be a suspension or frame issue affecting the car’s level.
FAQ Section
How often should I adjust my Honda Accord headlights?
There’s no set schedule. Check them if you notice a problem, after replacing a bulb, or if you frequently carry heavy loads in the trunk. An annual check is a good practice.
Can I adjust my Honda Accord headlights without a wall?
Using a wall is highly recommended for precision. While you could try to adjust them on a very dark road, it’s imprecise and can easily result in misaimed lights that blind others.
What’s the difference between adjusting halogen and LED headlights?
The adjustment process is identical. The beam pattern from LED or HID projector headlights often has a sharper cut-off line, which can actually make aiming easier and more accurate against your tape lines.
Why are my newly adjusted headlights still not bright enough?
Aiming won’t increase brightness. If the output is weak, your bulbs may be old, the lens could be hazy and yellowed from UV damage, or there might be a wiring issue. Consider bulb replacement or headlight lens restoration.
Is it legal to adjust my own headlights?
Yes, it is legal to perform the adjustment yourself. In fact, it’s your responsibility as a driver to ensure your headlights are correctly aimed for safety. Most state vehicle inspections include a headlight aim check.
Adjusting your Honda Accord’s headlights is a simple yet vital maintenance task. With a level space, a blank wall, and about an hour of your time, you can restore proper lighting performance. This ensures your safety and the safety of everyone else on the road. Remember to always start with a clean, level car and make small adjustments while frequently checking the pattern on the wall.