Fall has arrived, bringing with it shorter days. As the time spent in daylight shrinks, you may find that your South Jersey commute is darker. Earlier sunsets cast a light on the importance of functional headlights, particularly when you commute in the morning and evening. If you were recently in a car collision, now is the time to inspect your headlight alignment. Proper headlight alignment is more important than you may think.
Key Takeaways
- Proper headlight alignment ensures the beam illuminates the road ahead without creating unnecessary glare for other drivers.
- Collision damage can affect headlight housings, mounting brackets, surrounding structural components, and electrical connections, potentially changing the aim of the headlights.
- Modern lighting systems, including LED, adaptive, and automatic-leveling headlights, may require specific aiming procedures and equipment after repairs.
- Uneven beams, poor nighttime visibility, frequent high-beam flashes from oncoming drivers, or headlights that appear to point in the wrong direction can indicate an alignment problem.
- If your vehicle was recently involved in a collision or front-end repair, a professional headlight inspection can help ensure your lighting system is properly positioned before shorter fall days lead to more nighttime driving.
What Does Headlight Alignment Mean?
Headlight alignment refers to the horizontal and vertical aim of the headlight beam. Most modern vehicles will feature one of three headlight types: halogen, high-intensity discharge (HID), or LED. Each has its own demands for how it must be maintained and positioned to provide you with clear vision at night without reducing visibility for other drivers.
Furthermore, certain makes and models will have a specific angle that the headlight needs to be placed. If your headlight wasn’t reset according to manufacturer guidelines or with the proper aiming equipment, your car may be sending light somewhere it doesn’t need to go.
A beam that is aimed too low will reduce how far you can see along the road. Meanwhile, if the beam is aimed higher, it may cause potential glare for oncoming traffic, and you won’t see much of the road. Lastly, if the beam is aimed too far to either side, you may miss objects in the middle of the road.
How a Collision May Impact Headlight Alignment
A collision—no matter how minor—can have a widespread impact on a vehicle. For example, if the front of the vehicle is hit from the side as you make a turn in traffic, the resulting damages may affect the following components and more:
- Headlight housing
- Mounting brackets
- Front bumper
- Fender
- Radiator support
- Front-end structural components
- Wiring and electrical connections
- ADAS sensors
Mounting-point and structural damage can alter how a headlight sits within its well. If the surrounding area is not restored correctly, the beam’s placement may be affected. Similarly, if the ADAS sensors connected to the headlights do not receive recalibration after the accident, any adaptive settings, such as light filtering, may malfunction.
Headlight Alignment Is Required for Modern Lighting Systems
Modern vehicles have much more technology present than even cars from 5-10 years ago. Standard headlight features and tech include:
- LED headlights
- Projector systems
- Adaptive lighting
- Automatic high beams
- Automatic leveling systems
Each of these systems are sophisticated and need to be aimed appropriately to benefit the person behind the wheel. Much more goes into this process than replacing the bulb.
Signs Your Headlights May Not Be Properly Aligned
There are several signs your headlights may need to be realigned before winter comes. Keep an eye out for the following warning signs:
- One beam appears noticeably higher or lower than the other while driving.
- You can’t see far enough ahead on dark roads and may experience increased eye fatigue.
- One side of the road seems significantly darker.
- Oncoming drivers frequently flash their high beams at you.
- A headlight appears to point toward the ground.
- The beam pattern is uneven.
- Headlight positioning looks different after a collision or front-end repair.
- Headlights appear to move or vibrate while driving.
Drivers in South Jersey are encouraged to call their local collision repair center if any of the aforementioned signs are noticed. A certified technician will be able to diagnose the cause of the misalignment after a thorough inspection of your vehicle. You’ll be back on the road in no time.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Brighter Headlights
If it is not clear whether your headlights are misaligned, consider cleaning the area. Bugs, dirt, and oil can dim the light of your beams, making it harder to see at night. Begin by carefully removing the plastic covering and washing it with soap, water, and soft cloth. Do not use an abrasive cleaner, as that can cloud the plastic.
If the grime on your headlights is stubborn, other options include toothpaste or baking soda and water. The abrasives are mild enough to help polish the grime on the surface of older plastic without scratching it. Once done, rinse the surface of the plastic and around the light bulb thoroughly. You may want to apply a UV protectant to the plastic to prevent yellowing, as well.
Don’t Let Shorter Days Darken Your Drive
As fall descends, drivers spend more time driving with their headlights on. If your headlights aren’t aimed correctly, you may miss what’s on the road. If your vehicle has been recently repaired, consider asking for a headlight alignment inspection, especially if something feels “off.”
Since 1947, Elmer’s Auto Body has helped South Jersey drivers with collision repairs. We used OEM parts and follow manufacturer guidelines when repairing vehicles. Let’s get your car back on the road—with your headlights aimed correctly.
Auto Body Repair in South Jersey Done Right
Ensure your repairs—and your headlights—are properly repaired and aligned correctly. Elmer’s Auto Body is a highly rated South Jersey collision repair center with the tools and knowledge needed to ensure your headlights are lighting up the road. Give us a call at one of our three convenient locations:
Mt. Ephraim: (856) 456-7018 |
Sewell: (856) 218-0202 |
Medford: (609) 714-4050