How do you adjust low beam headlight on 06 Mazda 3?

Answer 1

This is an easy task. You need 3 things: a roll of dark masking tape, blue works really well, a medium to large flat screwdriver a #2 works well, and a wall with a level flat driveway, your garage door may work if you have a level flat driveway.

Best to do this when its dark or getting dark, NOT in bright sunlight.

SET dashboard headlight adjustment knob (feature on several Mazda) to position "0". All positions but "0" interfere by compensating. Set it to "0".

Drive your car close to the wall, about 1 foot away works well.

Turn your headlights on. You will see across the wall the top of your lights, below bright above much less bright.

NOW, place a strip of dark masking tape on the wall along that edge of light.

That tape is your Mark for adjusting your lights level.

Carefully and safely back the car straight about 10 to 15 feet, if possible.

Notice where your headlight boundary is now relative to the masking tape.

If it is right along the tape your adjustment is normal, and OK.

If it is much higher that may bother oncoming drivers and should be lowered.

If much below the masking tape its too low, unsafe, you may not see hazards and should be adjusted to raise it.

Be sure engine is turned OFF and headlights are on, be SAFE!

To adjust, Open hood, look for white adjustment toothy wheel with six sided adjustment Slot, located right behind the headlight electrical connector.

NOTE: in some models you may have a plastic snap-on cover above it, unsnap to access the Adjustment with your screwdriver. Use a flashlight to see it.

Insert screwdriver blade carefully into the slot. If you have a proper size screwdriver it should fit in easily and snug, do NOT force it, if loose or tight get another different screwdriver that will fit properly. Do NOT damage the slot, its plastic!

While watching the light on the wall relative to masking tape turn the screwdriver, counterclockwise to RAISE, clockwise to LOWER. Be careful and know it may take from 2 to 5 screwdriver turns to notice movement of the light.

When the light boundary is right at the masking tape you lights are Level.

When necessary do this for each headlight. Same procedure.

Good job, close your hood and drive the car and notice the difference.

If you have dashboard headlight level adjust feature try it, moving from "0" to "1", "2" etc should LOWER the headlight level. This allows you to lower your headlights for city driving and set it to "0" for open road driving where you need more light coverage ahead to see road hazards.

Jay, 2007 Mazda 3