Properly adjusted headlights are essential for safe driving, especially at night or in adverse weather conditions.
Tesla vehicles are known for their advanced technology and cutting-edge features, including their headlights.
However, even the most sophisticated headlights can become misaligned over time, potentially causing glare for other drivers or reducing your visibility on the road.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of adjusting the headlights on your Tesla, ensuring optimal visibility and safety.
Here’s How to Adjust Tesla Headlights:
- Turn On or Off Low Beam Headlights: Go to Controls > Lights > Headlights. Now, ON or OFF.
- Enable or Disable High Beam Headlights: Use turn signals stalk or button on the steering yoke.
- Raise or Lower Headlights angle: Go to Controls > Service > Adjust Headlights. Now, use the left scroll wheel to adjust the headlights according to your preference.
Why Headlight Adjustment is Important?
Before diving into the adjustment process, it’s crucial to understand why headlight adjustment is necessary. Correctly aligned headlights offer several benefits, including:
1. Enhanced Visibility
Properly aligned headlights provide better illumination of the road ahead, allowing you to see obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles more clearly.
2. Reduced Glare
Misaligned headlights can blind other drivers, causing dangerous situations on the road. Adjusting your Tesla’s headlights will help minimize glare, enhancing safety for everyone.
3. Regulatory Compliance
Many regions have laws and regulations regarding headlight alignment. Ensuring your Tesla’s headlights meet these standards is not only safer but also keeps you in compliance with local laws.
Preliminary Steps Headlights Adjustment
Before adjusting your Tesla’s headlights, it’s essential to perform some preliminary checks and preparations:
1. Park on a Level Surface
Ensure your Tesla is parked on a level surface, preferably in a garage or an area with minimal external lighting. This will provide a stable and consistent environment for the adjustment process.
2. Check Tire Pressure
Proper tire pressure is essential, as it affects the vehicle’s ride height. Incorrect tire pressure can lead to inaccurate headlight alignment.
3. Load the Vehicle
Load your Tesla with the usual amount of cargo and passengers you typically carry. Headlight alignment can vary with the vehicle’s weight distribution, so replicating real-world conditions is essential.
4. Verify Tire Alignment
Misaligned tires can affect headlight alignment. If you suspect your Tesla’s tires are misaligned, it’s best to have them professionally aligned before adjusting the headlights.
Adjusting the Headlights
Now that you’ve completed the preliminary steps, you can proceed with the actual headlight adjustment.
Turn on the Headlights: Start your Tesla and turn on the headlights. Ensure they are facing a flat, preferably dark surface, like a garage door or wall, about 10 to 25 feet away.
Mark the Headlight Centers: Use masking tape or small adhesive markers to indicate the center of each headlight’s beam pattern on the wall. Placing the tape around the 3-foot height from the ground would be best.
Adjust the Headlights: Go to Controls > Service > Adjust Headlights and use the left scroll wheel button to adjust the headlights. Select the Left or Right headlight for adjustment on the screen first.
- Vertical Adjustment: To adjust the vertical alignment, scroll the wheel upward or downward. Aim to align the center of the beam with the height of the markers on the wall.
- Horizontal Adjustment: For horizontal alignment, scroll the wheel sidewise and ensure that the center of the beam aligns with the horizontal markers.
Check Alignment: After making adjustments, step back and inspect the headlight alignment. The beams should be even and symmetrical, with no noticeable glare or deviation. Repeat the adjustment process as needed until the alignment is satisfactory.
Testing Headlight Alignment
After adjusting your Tesla’s headlights, it’s crucial to test their alignment to ensure they meet your visibility and safety needs. Here’s how to test the headlights:
Road Test: Take your Tesla for a short drive on a well-lit road to evaluate the headlight alignment under real-world conditions. Pay attention to visibility and glare.
Dark Area Test: If possible, find a dark area away from city lights and traffic to observe the headlights’ performance. Check for proper illumination and any issues with alignment.
Vehicle Inspection: Park your Tesla on a level surface again and inspect the headlight alignment against a wall or garage door, just as you did during adjustment. Ensure that the beams are still aligned as intended.
Consult an Expert: If you’re uncertain about the alignment or if you notice any persistent issues, consider consulting a professional technician or Tesla service center for further assistance.
Maintenance and Ongoing Checks
Headlight alignment is not a one-time task. It’s essential to periodically check and maintain your Tesla’s headlights to ensure they remain properly aligned. Here are some tips for ongoing maintenance:
1. Regular Checks
Perform regular visual checks of your Tesla’s headlights to ensure they are not misaligned or damaged. Look for any signs of wear, cracks in the lens, or condensation inside the housing.
2. Check Alignment After Maintenance
Whenever you have maintenance or repairs performed on your Tesla that involve the front suspension, steering components, or headlight housing, it’s a good practice to recheck the headlight alignment.
3. Keep Headlights Clean
Clean your Tesla’s headlights regularly to remove dirt, debris, and road grime that can obstruct the light output. Dirty or foggy headlights can also affect alignment.
4. Monitor Adaptive Headlight Systems
If your Tesla is equipped with adaptive headlight systems, monitor their performance and ensure they are functioning correctly. Any issues should be addressed promptly by a Tesla service center.
Conclusion
Properly aligned headlights are essential for safe and comfortable driving in your Tesla.
By following this comprehensive guide and performing regular checks and maintenance, you can ensure that your Tesla’s headlights provide optimal visibility without causing glare for other drivers.
Remember that headlight adjustment is a critical aspect of vehicle safety, and neglecting it can lead to hazardous conditions on the road. Stay safe and enjoy the enhanced visibility that well-aligned headlights provide in your Tesla.