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C5 C6 Corvette: How to Adjust Your Headlights

Learn how to the adjust the headlights for both the C5's pop-up style headlights and the C6's fixed units.

By James Karuga - February 4, 2015

This article applies to the C5 and C6 Corvette (1997-2013).

Misaligned headlights in any Corvette can ruin the most tranquil night drives and not just for the driver, but for other motorists on the road. Headlights lose their aim due to damage from collisions or habitual opening and closing of the hood. If people are constantly honking at you at night; there's a good chance you're blinding them. This guide explains how to correct your headlights aim by yourself and the time it takes. If you opt for professional assistance, the guide gives you the estimate costs.

Materials Needed

  • Flat head screwdriver
  • Masking tape (blue/black in color)
  • Cleaning rag
  • Flat white wall surface
  • Allen wrench

Step 1 – Prepare headlight aiming screen and Corvette

Park the Corvette a few feet in front of a white wall. Now, put a line down the middle of the wall with masking tape. The vertical line on the wall must be aligned with the center of the vehicle, or else the headlight alignment will be off. The Corvette manual suggests looking through the rear window and past the hood. Next, measure the distance between the center of the right and left headlight. Put vertical lines on the wall to mark both of these locations.

Figure 1. Headlight aiming grid.

Pro Tip

Ensure the surface you parked on is leveled to get the best results.

Step 2 – Lubricate the aiming screws

Reverse the Corvette 30 feet from the wall. Open the hood and locate the aiming screws housed by the headlight housing and lubricate them. You can use your hands, a screwdriver or the Allen wrench to adjust the lights by turning the screws.

Pro Tip

You can use the cleaning rag to wipe the screws before or after lubricating them.

Step 3 – Aiming the lights

This step differs slightly between the C5 and C6+ models of the Corvette. The pop-up headlights on the C5 Corvette can be adjusted both horizontally and vertically via the adjustment screws located in the headlight housing. The adjustment screws are located on the inboard side of the headlight. There'll be a plug on the headlight housing, covering the horizontal adjuster. Use Figure 2 as a reference.

Figure 2. C5 Corvette headlight removed from its housing.

The C6 Corvette's headlights are fixed and cannot be adjusted horizontally. C6 headlights that are horizontally misaligned most likely have an improperly installed headlight. Adjusting them vertically requires an Allen wrench.

Figure 3. Adjusting the C6 Corvette's headlights.

Adjust each side headlight until the top edge of the headlight beam is within two inches of the horizontal center line. To horizontally align the headlights on the C6, line up the left edge of the headlight beam within four inches of that headlight's center line.

This will ensures your C6 Corvette's beams don't blind other drivers from the left side heading to an opposite direction. Afterwards, take your Corvette for a test drive at night.

Figure 4. Headlight beam positioning diagram.

Pro Tip

Be careful when aiming the light because the aiming screws can break and the extra parts are not sold with Corvettes.

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