How to: Aim LED Headlights

Upgrading your vehicle with LED headlights is a great way to improve your visibility while you are driving. LED headlights, such as our popular Elite LED Headlights, provide better performance and light output than factory halogen headlights. Additionally, they offer features that deliver more functionality than the factory headlights with a more modern appearance. 

If you upgraded your vehicle with LED headlights, you're already aware of the benefits that they bring. However, to get the best possible performance from your new headlights you need to ensure that they are aimed properly. 

Whether you're upgrading your vehicle's lighting or seeking optimal visibility, the following aiming guide will provide you with detailed instructions on how to aim LED headlights. Check out the aiming video, or continue reading for step-by-step instructions below!

Note: In our video, we aim the LED headlights of a JL Jeep Wrangler, but the same steps can be used to aim the headlights on almost any vehicle.

Aiming Tools

• Tape
• Long Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Headlight Adjustment Key (if your headlights came with one)

Measuring Instructions

Before getting started, make sure that your vehicle is on a level surface and that the tires are inflated to the recommended levels. Be sure to remove any excess weight from your vehicle that isn't normally there. 

Step 1 - Position Vehicle.

Park your vehicle 25 feet away from a flat wall or garage door. 

Step 2 - Measure LED Headlight Height.

Using a measuring tape, measure from the ground up to the center of your LED headlight.

Check for a small aiming dot that may be molded into the lens of your LED headlights if they have more than one projector.

Step 3 - Measure Distance Between LED Headlights.

Measure the distance between the center of each LED headlight or the aiming dots if they are present. 

Step 4 - Identify LED Headlight Markings.

On each LED headlight, look for a marking that says "VOL" or "VOR". This should be molded along with other information at the top or bottom of the headlight's lens. 

This indicates if the aim for the light should be VOL (Visual-Optical Align Left) or VOR (Visual-Optical Align Right). 

All modern LED headlights will have these marks. If you don't see one, check your owner's manual, as you may need to use an alternative method to aim your headlights. 

Step 5 - Mark LED Headlight Height.

Mark the measured height of your LED headlights from Step 2 with a long piece of tape placed horizontally on the wall as shown below.

Note: The DOT states that vehicles with headlight centers taller than 36 inches should aim the headlights two inches below their measured height. For example, the Jeep featured in our aiming video has headlight centers that measure 42 inches from the ground. On the wall, we will place the horizontal tape at 40 inches to meet DOT compliance. 

Step 6 - Mark LED Headlight Width.

Using the measured distance between the center of your LED headlights in Step 3, put a piece of vertical tape on the wall in front of each headlight.

Step 7 - Turn On Low Beams.

Turn on your vehicle's low beams and see where they line up with your wall markings. 

If you have reflector-style headlights, the beam pattern should have a cutoff at the top like the picture below. 

If you have projector LED headlights, you should have a cutoff with a small step like the picture below.

Aiming Adjustment Instructions

If your headlight beams require adjustment, you will need a tool to adjust their aim. In most cases, a long Phillips head screwdriver will do. If you have Diode Dynamics Elite LED Headlights, we included an adjustment key that can conveniently be stored in the glove box. 

Step 8 - Access Aiming Adjuster.

Access the aiming adjusters on your LED headlights. To do so, you may need to pull back the fender on your vehicle to reach the adjusters.

Step 9 - Adjust Headlight Beams.

To move your LED headlight beams up or down, adjust the vertical alignment by turning the adjustment screw clockwise or counterclockwise. 

If you have any questions, refer to the manual so you know which direction to rotate the screw in order to raise or lower the beam pattern of your LED headlights. 

Step 10 - Aiming for VOR.

If your LED headlights have a VOR marking that you identified in Step 4, use the adjustment mechanism to move the headlight beam pattern so that the right side of the beam pattern is at the same height as your horizontal tape (circled in red below).

Step 11 - Aiming for VOL.

If your LED headlights have VOL markings, aim the headlight beam pattern according to the left side of your vertical tape markings. 

In this case, adjust the left side of the beam pattern three inches below the horizontal tape line. If the right side step goes above the horizontal tape line, you do not need to worry since you're aiming for VOL.

Make sure that both the left and right LED headlight beam patterns hit the tape at the same point as pictured below.

Step 12 - Horizontal Adjustment.

Some vehicles are equipped with horizontal beam adjusters. This isn't the case for all LED headlights. If your headlights do have horizontal beam adjusters and you wish to make adjustments, begin by squaring your vehicle up with the wall. 

Then take the distance measured from the center of each LED headlight in Step 3 and make sure the beam pattern is the same distance apart on the wall. Essentially, you want your headlights to shine parallel as shown below. 

Questions About Aiming Your LED Headlights?

If you have any questions or issues aiming your Elite LED Headlights, please contact us for further assistance.

Where Can I Buy Elite LED Headlights?

If you’re ready to upgrade your vehicle with Elite LED Headlights, you can purchase them by clicking here or by using our dealer locator to find a dealer near you. 

Want to know more about Diode Dynamics products? Visit DiodeDynamics.com and subscribe to our newsletter for new product releases and more!