[Electric Tire Shredder]

6mm* Allen key here screws the FRONT of the light down or up: Turn LEFT for up, right for down. I have to think of them like sprinkler faucets: Turn left to make them go higher.

* Unlike most 6mm nuts/bolts, a 1/4" tool won't fit. My sharpest newest 7/16 barely works though, or a slightly-under-quarter-inch screwdriver blade, since it's low-torque:

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

T15 Torx screwdriver here* screws the top in or out. Also LEFT for UP! I have to think of them each like a sprinkler faucet: Turn left to make it go higher.

Please don't give up on the fogs just to save $1 on the 99-Cent-Store tool shown below (or $3.45 on Amazon. Search "Torx T15 screwdriver").
Low beam is MORE important than high: Consider being on high-beam, driving an appropriate speed for their great illumination, & suddenly someone comes toward you around a corner or out of a drive. Now you not only have to resort to low beam, but you have the added detriment of their lights shining in your eyes!

*3.3mm or about 1/8" max dia. I'll leave it to someone else to report what size Allen key works, if any.

 

[senorgrand]

Nice! How much did you adjust them?

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

a LOT, relatively speaking. Maybe only a few degrees, but that makes a HUGE difference 100 feet away where you need to see.

My favorite way to check is park on a flat lot, stand right in front of one light on LOW-beam & put a fingertip on my thigh where the light cutoff line is. Then walk ahead 30 feet or so & if the line is too much lower I go back & raise it a bit. Fogs are only a bit harder since you can't walk with your hand on your ankle.

Another way to check is on a flat surface on LOW beam, drive towards an object & see if the cutoff line goes up too much as you approach.

My preferred setting after over 40 years driving small cars where you want to see the ROAD, as much as what's ON the road, is when the cutoff line hits the road at the light's own limit of power. You should sometimes be able to see the line on the road, but only when you approach a rise, go into a dip, or the rear wheels are on a speed bump.

 

[smark]

In 10 years of ownership. I never have had a issue with my projection headlamps. We use to drive 200 miles at night. On 2 lane roads, at night. They were just fine. Of course we use the high beams a lot too. The fog lamps are really worthless. Use them on snow/ice conditions.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Ya, I'd even say they're better than just "fine". Really pretty good on low beam (I don't get to use hi much). It's ONLY the factory alignment setting that's so low that people think the lights are bad.

My 2013's were set way too low. My friend's 2015 was the same, & my other friend's 2016. Then I saw a couple people complaining about them but they probably only need adjustment, which is the whole point of this thread.

The fogs are pretty good too, filling In the lowbeams nicely, once adjusted.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Too high is also bad of course, since the blinded other driver might even hit YOU!

If someone hasn't yet changed the crappy OEM setting & wants to be SUPER helpful they could try to COUNT how many turns of the screws is needed, & report back to help others.

 

[smark]

The head lamp height adjustment here, must comply too our states regulations. To pass, the safety Requirements. If it fails, your off to have your head lamps adjusted.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Ya, if you're subject to headlight inspections, check how they're measured & adjust accordingly, at least prior to inspection.

 

[smark]

The only issue, I had with my headlamp. on the drivers side, the dealership install a new one under warranty. They install the bulb crooked in the housing. It was illuminating, to the left of the car. shining in on going cars. You didn’t notice the bulb cockeyed under the rubber protect cover. Coming back from a long two lane night trip. The cars on the opposite side, were flashing us. No adjust left to right. Other wise, I haven’t had a issues, with the factory headlamp adjustments. Its just fine. Projection headlamps are spotty. Each owner, has there own preference.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

It might be another of the many differences between a 500e & a gas one:

All 3 different model years of 500e that I've driven at night had all 4 lights adjusted so the cutoffs hit the ground relatively close to the front of the car & other drivers have complained about dim low-beams even though they're great once adjusted. So apparently many electric Fiat's factory settings are too low.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

SO sorry if I made it harder for anybody!

I wonder why nobody posted to correct me: I finally got around to the final fine-tuning of my fogs, & realized that they are also "left for up"! So I corrected my post above.

They all feel backwards to me. I have to think of them each like a sprinkler faucet where you turn it left to make it go higher.

 

[twinturboz]

My lowered 500e with LED lamps I never adjusted anything since I got it, seems fair enough illumination to not need to either.

 

[Dr_Sharp]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but this was very helpful. I recently bought a 2017 and it still had the original long-life bulbs in it -terrible lighting. I replaced them with Philips Nightguide Platinum bulbs and they only made a mild difference (much brighter, but not much better visibility). When I checked the alignment, not only were they aimed very low, the driver’s side light was aimed much lower than the passenger’s side. I followed the directions above from ETS and it made a huge difference. Night time visibility is great! My fog lights seemed fine so I didn’t adjust them. Anyway, thanks for the tip and directions ETS.
And if anyone is wondering, it took 3 full turns on the passenger’s side and between 5 and 6 on the driver’s.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Thanks for reporting how many turns it took.

Also thanks for reminding me to add it to the Post Purchase Prep thread.

It also reminded me to add 12V battery insulation to the prep.

 

[tuttipazzo]

How did you replace the passenger side headlight bulb? The driver side was easy. There's wiring harness touching the passenger side.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

LEDs that work without errors

INSTALLATION TIPS: Super-easy driver side: Twist off the dust cap & the old bulb, both counterclockwise as viewed from the driver's seat. Twist the LED's adapter ring* so its long tab is straight down when the bulb plug is straight up*. Insert & twist clockwise to lock the ring, plug it in...

www.fiat500owners.com

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Just bringing this thread to the top of the list for @peterpham1

 

[akvanderpool]

Does anyone know if I can replace the plastic adjuster on my passenger side? Mine is missing. It’s extremely low. I have a 2012 and have never been able to find a replacement online!

 

[element22rider]

Does anyone know if I can replace the plastic adjuster on my passenger side? Mine is missing. It’s extremely low. I have a 2012 and have never been able to find a replacement online!

The adjuster is part of the housing - however it appears if the white plastic worm gear is missing you can use the hex fitting below it with a socket