Do dipped beam headlights have to slope up to the left or can they be level? How much do they have to slope if they do?

There are horribly complicated diagrams in the SVA manual in section 9.3 (which unhelpfully isn't in the dodgy pdf) which show headlamp aim and kickup/breakpoint/horizontal cut-off limits.

Unfortunately I don't own a scanner and the text makes no sense without the diagram (to be honest it's all greek to me even with the diagram).

If no one else has the manual+scanner I'll have a scout around the family to see what can be done at the weekend.

[Edited on 18/10/07 by iank]

It definitely requires a 15 degree kick up to the left.

[Edited on 18-10-07 by RazMan]
Rescued attachment SVA Headlights.jpg

For a really accurate drawing, look on Page 34 in this pdf: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/r112r1e.pdf

The dimensions are for measurement on a screen 25m from the vehicle.

Unfortunately the monochrome scan has lost the big yellow splodge illustrating the beam shape expected.

I read the book, didnt understand a word, chucked it to one side and set up lamps with vertical board just in front of the car. I marked the headlight centre points on the board. Made sure full beam brightest spot was on the centre mark. Switched to dipped and observed the beam dropped a touch and moved to the left. Then rotated the lens so the horizontal bit was horizontal, the angle is then a product of the headlight itself. Passed SVA no probs and tester even commented that they were very accurately set - which was nice.


Surprisingly easy to do in the garage.

From the other thread about getting an E-mark, I think smart51 is trying to manufacture some LED headlights that throw the correct beam shape.

This is the published beam pattern. Do I have to fill the unshaded area or do I have to make no light in the unshaded area?

None of the headlights on my cars fill the unshaded area but that doesn't mean they're not supposed to.
Rescued attachment dipped beam.jpg

Newer Porsches do not have the 15 degree kick up they just have a flat top to the beam pattern. Believe the same applies to other new cars as well