|
Information
|
Method
of Inspection |
| This
inspection applies to: All obligatory headlamps, and optional
(additional) dip beam headlamps. |
To
check headlamp aim |
| 1.
Position the vehicle on the designated headlamp aim standing
area. |
| Type
of headlamp |
| The
aim of headlamps must be checked on main or dipped beam according
to their type. See diagrams 1,2 or 3 on pages 10-12, which
include details appropriate to each headlamp type.
These
methods of inspection involve the use of beam checking equipment
with a collecting lens. |
2.
Follow the headlamp tester manufacturer's user manual instructions,
and |
| a.
align the headlamp aim equipment with the longitudinal axis
of the vehicle |
| b.
align the centre of the collecting lens with the centre of
the headlamp under test |
| Masks
or converter kits |
| Right
hand dip headlamps can be temporarily altered for use in the
UK by fitting masks or converter kits which remove the beam
'kick-up' to the right A
headlamp altered in this way is not a reason for rejection,
if a.
the headlamp aim is not rejected for the reasons listed under
diagram 1 (except that the top of the beam image will be a
straight line) b.
the light output is not unduly reduced- not usually a problem
with commercially produced kits c.
the mask or converter is securely attached |
3.
With an assistant sitting in the driving seat, switch on the
headlamps to the beam on which the headlamp is to be checked.
Note:
When checking headlamp aim on vehicles with hydropneumatic
suspension systems, it is necessary to have the engine idling.
|
| Driver's
beam control |
| Where
these are fitted the beam aim should be tested without altering
the controls setting except where this would result in failure
for beam aim being too low, in such cases the beam aim should
be re-checked with the control set at its 'highest'
position. |
| 4.
Determine the appropriate headlamp beam image and its aim
(see diagrams 1,2 and 3). Old vehicles (approx. pre 1950)
headlamps beam image may not conform to either diagrams 1,2
or 3. In such cases check dip
beam headlamps are aimed so they do not dazzle, ie the beam
image brightest part is aimed at least0.5% below the horizontal
or
for headlamps which cannot be checked on dip beam, check
main
beam headlamps are aimed so that the beam image centre is
on or slightly below the horizontal |
| Information
|
| This
inspection applies to: all obligatory headlamps, and optional
(additional) dip beam headlamps. |
Type
of headlamp The aim of headlamps must be checked on main or
dipped beam according to their type. See diagrams i, Z or
3 on pages 10-12, which include details appropriate to each
headlamp type.
These methods of inspection involve the use of beam checking
equipment with a collecting lens. |
| Masks
or converter kits Right hand dip headlamps can be temporarily
altered for use in the UK by fitting masks or converter kits
which remove the beam 'kick-up' to the right. |
| A
headlamp altered in this way is not a reason for rejection,
if |
| a.
the headlamp aim is not rejected for the reasons listed under
diagram 1 (except that the top of the beam image will be a
straight line) |
| b.
the light output is not unduly reduced not usually a problem
with commercially produced kits c. the mask or converter is
securely attached |
| Driver's
beam aim controls Where these are fitted the beam aim should
be tested without altering the controls setting except where
this would result in failure for beam aim being too low. In
such cases the beam aim should be re-checked with the control
set at its 'highest' position |
| Method
of Inspection |
| To
check headlamp aim |
| 1.
Position the vehicle on the designated headlamp aim standing
area. |
| 2.
Follow the headlamp tester manufacturer's user manual instructions,
and a. align the headlamp aim equipment with the longitudinal
axis of the vehicle b. align the centre of the collecting
lens with the centre of the headlamp under test |
| 3.
With an assistant sitting in the driving seat, switch on the
headlamps to the beam on which the headlamp is to be checked.
Note: When checking headlamp aim on vehicles with hydropneumatic
suspension systems, it is necessary to have the engine idling.
Determine the appropriate headlamp beam image and its aim
(See diagrams i, Z and 3). |
| Old
vehicles (approx. pre 1950) headlamps beam image may not conform
to either diagrams i, Z or 3. In such cases check · dip beam
headlamps are aimed so they do not dazzle, ie the beam image
brightest part is aimed at least 0.50/o below the horizontal
or for headlamps which cannot be checked on dip beam, check
· main beam headlamps are aimed so that the beam image centre
is on or slightly below the horizontal |
 |
European
type headlamp - Characteristics a. an asymmetric dipped beam
pattern with · a distinctive horizontal cut-off on the right,
and · a 15 degree wedge of light above the horizontal (the'Kick
up') towards the left |
| b.
a lens with one or more asymmetric stepped patterns moulded
in the glass |
| c.
a lens may carry a European approval mark - a circle containing
an 'E' and a number, or .a rectangle containing an 'e', and
a number |
| The
European approval mark should incorporate a single or double-headed
arrow. A dipped beam is denoted by either: · a capital letter'C'
above a capital 'E' · a capital letter'C' above an 'e'
|
| Reason
for Rejection |
| Note:
Setting 'E' Beam Headlarirp Aim Repairs or adjustment must
not be carried out during an MOT test. |
| These
dip-beam headlamps should be set to aim downwards the amount
shown on a marking which is either close to the vehicle manufacturer's
plate or the headlamp. |
| For
vehicles without a marking, the downward aim should be set
to i 1.3%, if the headlamp centre is not more than 850 mm
from the ground 2.0%, if the headlamp centre is more than
850 mm from the ground |
| 1.
The beam image'kick-up' is to the offside. |
| For
headlamps with centres not more than 850 mm from the ground
the beam image horizontal cut-off is not between the horizontal
0.5% and 2% lines, ie the red tolerance band. |
| For
headlamps with centres more than 850 mm from the ground, the
beam image horizontal cut-off is not between the horizontal
1.25% and 2.75% lines, ie the blue tolerance band.
|
| 4.
The beam image 'break point' is · To the right of the 0% vertical
line, or · To the left of the vertical 2% line |
 |
Reason
for Rejection |
| 1.
The 'hot spot' centre is above the horizontal 0% line.
|
| 2.
The 'hot spot' centre is to the right of the vertical 0% line,
or to the left of the vertical 2% line. |
| 3.
For headlamps whose centre is not more than 850 mm from the
ground the 'hot spot' centre is below the horizontal 2% line.
|
| 4.
For headlamps whose centre is more than 850 mm from the ground,
the 'hot spot' centre is below the horizontal 2.75% line.
|
| British
American type (checked on main beam)- Characteristics:
|
| a.
headlamps tested on main beam have a symmetrical main beam
pattern with a central area of maximum intensity (hot spot)
|
| b.
this type of lamp generally has a circular lens which may
be marked with a figure 1 followed by an arrow indicating
the direction of dip |
 |
British
American type (checked on dipped beam)- Characteristics: a.
an asymmetric dipped beam pattern with an area of high intensity
intended to be directed along the nearside of the road
|
| b.
a circular lens marked with the figure Z which may also have
an arrow showing the direction of dip |
| British
American type (checked on main beam)- Characteristics:
|
| a.
headlamps tested on main beam have a symmetrical main beam
pattern with a central area of maximum intensity (hot spot)
|
| b.
this type of lamp generally has a circular lens which may
be marked with a figure 1 followed by an arrow indicating
the direction of dip |
