GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The vehicle has a visual optical headlamp aiming system. The aim has been preset at the factory and should need no further adjustment

However, if the vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp aim may be affected and adjustment may be necessary.

If oncoming vehicles flash their high beams at you, this may also mean the vertical aim needs to be adjusted.

It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to your dealer for service if the headlamps need to be re-aimed. It is possible however, to re-aim the headlamps as described in the following procedure.

The vehicle should be properly prepared as follows:

    • The vehicle should be placed so the headlamps are 15 ft. (4.6 m) from a light colored wall or other flat surface.
    • The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly level surface which is level all the way to the wall or other flat surface.
    • The vehicle should be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall or other flat surface.
    • The vehicle should not have any snow, ice, or mud on it.
    • The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other work stopped while headlamp aiming is being performed.
    • The vehicle should be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one person or 160 lbs (75 kg) sitting on the driver's seat.
    • Tires should be properly inflated.
    • The spare tire is in its original location in the vehicle.

Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle's low-beam headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.

To adjust the vertical aim on the headlamps, do the following:

  1. Open the hood. See Hood Release for more information.

  2. Object Number: 1545698  Size: B2
  3. Find the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam headlamp.
  4. Measure the distance from the ground to the aim dot on the low-beam headlamp. Record the distance.
  5. At the wall or other flat surface, measure from the ground upward the recorded distance from Step 2 and mark it.
  6. Draw or tape a horizontal line the width of the vehicle at the wall or other flat surface where it was marked it Step 4.
  7. Notice: Do not cover a headlamp to improve beam cut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp may cause excessive heat build-up which may cause damage to the headlamp.


    Object Number: 822593  Size: B3
  8. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place a piece of cardboard or equivalent in front of the headlamp not being aimed. This should allow only the beam of light from the headlamp being aimed to be seen on the flat surface.
  9. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws, which are under the hood near each headlamp assembly.
  10. The adjustment screw can be turned with a No. 2 Phillips head screwdriver.

    Passenger's Side Shown


    Object Number: 1545700  Size: B4
  11. Turn the vertical aiming screw (A) until the headlamp beam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. If you turn it clockwise, it will raise the beam and if you turn it counterclockwise, it will lower the beam.
  12. The top edge of the cut-off should be positioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal tape line.

  13. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for the opposite headlamp.