Nissan Sentra Service Manual: Headlamp

Aiming adjustment

Preparation before adjusting

Before performing aiming adjustment, check the following:

• Ensure all tires are inflated to correct pressure.
• Place vehicle and screen on level surface.
• Ensure there is no load in vehicle other than the driver (or equivalent weight placed in driver's position).
• Coolant and engine oil filled to correct level, and fuel tank full.
• Remove cargo and/or luggage to maintain an unloaded vehicle condition.
• Confirm spare tire, jack and tools are properly stowed.
• Carefully wipe off any dirt from headlamp lens.

Caution:

Do not use organic solvent (thinner, gasoline etc.)

• Place a driver or equivalent weight of 68.5 Kg (150 lb) on the driver seat.
• By hand, bounce the front and rear of the vehicle to settle the suspension and eliminate any static load.
• Place the front tires in the straight ahead position.
• Aim each headlamp individually and ensure other headlamp beam pattern is blocked from screen.

Note:

• For headlamp aiming details, refer to regulations in your area.
• By regulation, no means for horizontal aim adjustment is provided from the factory; only vertical aim is adjustable.
• Use adjusting screw to perform aiming adjustment.
• Perform headlamp aiming if:

• The vehicle front body has been repaired.
• The front combination lamp has been removed or replaced.
• Any outfitting has been installed.
• The vehicle’s standard load condition has been substantially increased.

1. Front combination lamp

1. Suitable tool (for aiming adjustment)
2. Adjusting screw

Aiming adjustment procedure

1. Position the screen.

Note:

• Stop the vehicle facing the screen
• Place the screen on a plain road vertically.

2. Face the screen with the vehicle. Maintain 10 m (33 ft) between the headlamp bulb center and the screen.
3. Start the engine. Turn the headlamp (lo) on.

Caution:

Do not cover the lens surface with tape, etc. The lens is made of resin.

Note:

• Aim each headlamp individually and ensure other headlamp beam pattern is blocked from screen.
• For horizontal aiming, adjust headlamp until beam pattern is at horizontal center point.

1. Right
2. Left
3. Center of headlamp bulb (H-V point)
4. Cutoff line
5. Screen
6. Aim evaluation segment
7. Step
8. Horizontal center line of head lamp

10. 30 mm (1.18 in)
11. 4 mm (0.16 in)
12. 10 m (33 ft)
13. 480 mm (18.90 in)
14. 160 mm (6.30 in)

22. Vertical center line of headlamp

• Basic illuminating area for adjustment should be within the range shown on the aiming chart. Adjust headlamps accordingly.