Proper headlight alignment in your Toyota Camry is important so not only are you safe and don’t get a ticket, but also to ensure the best ride-quality. Proper lighting does more than helps drivers see better at night and keeps light from hitting the eyes of other motorists. Sometimes headlights get out of alignment from potholes, bumps or vehicle height changes. Thankfully, fixing your headlight alignment is something you can do at home (and without a trip to the mechanic). This is an article on how to correct the headlights of your Toyota Camry so you can use it at night more comfortably and safely.
Tools Needed
Of course, you need certain tools or equipment to adjust your Toyota Camry headlights so what the heck are they? Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Masking Tape — To mark on the wall where we are going to test and adjust headlight beams.
2. Phillips Screwdriver: You’ll probably need this to loosen or tighten the adjustment screws on your car’s headlight housing.
3. Phillips or Flathead Screwdriver: Some headlight assemblies have to be pried open a little bit, and the adjustment screws are even easier here.
4. Tape measure– Good to have it around for measurements and verification of correct height you used while marking the wall center on top beam.
5. Rag or Cloth: Pulling out a rag will work best during the latter stages to clean and get rid of all fingerprints, as well any dirt from the headlight lens.
6. Assistance (optional): Although not a tool, having another set of eyes from the driver’s seat to check that your wheels are perfectly aligned can make this process easier and more accurate.
Headlight Alignment Adjustment a Step by Step Guide
1. Park and Prepare
- If you have a Toyota Camry: Park your car on level ground facing a solid flat surface wall or garage door.
- Use the masking tape to measure and mark a horizontal line on the wall — parallel with the ground, at about headlight height in your headlights.
2. Access Adjustment Screws
- To reset the service light and confirm that you have done it, open up your Camry hood to get access into headlight assembly.
- Locate the adjustment screws: There should be two per headlight, one for vertical and another for horizontal adjustments.
3. Vertical Adjustment
- Vertical Adjustment Screw (Use a Phillips to turn this screw)
- Move the beam up and down until the brightest part of it lines-up with a horizontal tape line on your wall. We recommend a descent from the center at about 1-percent to reduce that issue of oncoming traffic.
4. Horizontal Adjustment
- Fine Horizontal Adjustment Screw: Adjusts the horizontal direction of the beam using a cross-point screwdriver
- Centered and Arbitrarily pointing it too far to the left or right.
5. Test and Fine-Tune
- After adjustments, back up your Camry about 25 feet from the wall to check the alignment.
- Ensure both headlights produce an even, symmetrical beam pattern without glare above the cutoff line.
6. Secure and Clean Up
- When properly aligned, make sure to retighten the adjustment screws firmly.
- Remove the masking tape from wall and shut your Toyota Camry hood.
- Wipe the headlight lens clean of any fingerprints or dirt with a rag.
Conclusion
With these easy-to-follow instructions, you can adjust your Toyota Camry headlights at home and with confidence. Having properly aligned headlights is not just about increasing your visibility and safety—it also means you are being considerate of the other drivers on the road. Inspect and adjust position of your headlights to confirm that they are functioning optimally. Good visibility is imperative for safe driving so use a few minutes to make sure everything on your car headlights are properly aligned before setting off.
