How to Adjust Headlights on a 2010 Nissan Maxima SV: A Step-by-Step Guide for Safe Night Driving​

2025-11-03

If your 2010 Nissan Maxima SV’s headlights feel dim, uneven, or misaligned—especially at night—it’s not just an inconvenience. Misaligned headlights reduce your visibility on dark roads, increase glare for oncoming drivers, and raise the risk of accidents. The good news? Adjusting them yourself is simpler than you think, requires minimal tools, and can restore your car’s safety and performance in under an hour. This guide walks you through every step, from preparation to testing, so you can do it safely and effectively.

Why Adjusting Your 2010 Maxima SV’s Headlights Matters

Before diving into the “how,” let’s clarify why this task is critical. Over time, factors like potholes, rough roads, minor collisions, or even normal wear can knock your headlights out of alignment. For a 2010 Maxima SV—known for its sleek design and powerful V6 engine—headlights that point too high blind oncoming drivers; too low, and you’ll miss debris, pedestrians, or obstacles on the road. Properly aligned headlights ensure your low beams project a sharp, flat cutoff line (to avoid glare) and high beams illuminate farther ahead without scattering light upward.

Tools You’ll Need to Adjust Your 2010 Maxima SV’s Headlights

To avoid frustration, gather these tools first:

  • ​Measuring tape or ruler: To measure distance from the wall to your headlights.

  • ​Masking tape: To mark reference lines on a garage wall.

  • ​Phillips-head screwdriver: Most 2010 Maximas use Phillips screws to adjust headlight aim.

  • ​Flathead screwdriver: For prying off plastic covers (if your model has them).

  • ​Chalk or spray paint: Optional, for marking your vehicle’s position in the garage.

  • ​Helper: Not required, but useful to confirm adjustments as you make them.

Step 1: Prepare Your Vehicle and Workspace

Proper setup is half the battle. Follow these steps to ensure accuracy:

Find a Flat, Level Surface

Park your 2010 Maxima SV on a flat, level driveway or garage floor. Uneven ground will throw off your alignment—avoid slopes or gravel.

Turn Off the Engine and Let It Cool

Headlight assemblies can get hot after driving. Let the car sit for 30 minutes to avoid burns when removing covers.

Clean the Headlights and Lens

Dirt, grime, or old wax on the headlight lens can distort light output. Wipe each lens with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to ensure you’re adjusting clean optics.

Set Up a Wall Reference

Pull your car as close as possible to a garage wall or large flat surface (25 feet away is ideal—this mimics real-world driving conditions). If using a garage, park perpendicular to the wall so your headlights face it directly.

Step 2: Mark Reference Lines on the Wall

To align your headlights, you need a visual target. Here’s how to create it:

  1. ​Measure the height of your headlights: Use the measuring tape to note the vertical distance from the ground to the center of each headlight lens. Write this number down (e.g., 28 inches).

  2. ​Mark horizontal and vertical lines: On the wall, use masking tape to create two lines:

    • ​Vertical line: Align it with the center of your car’s grille or hood ornament (this marks the car’s centerline).

    • ​Horizontal line: Measure up from the floor to match the headlight height you recorded (e.g., 28 inches) and draw a straight line across the wall. This is your “aiming line.”

Step 3: Locate the Headlight Adjustment Screws

Now, get under the hood to find the adjustment mechanisms. For the 2010 Maxima SV:

  1. Open the hood and secure it with the prop rod.

  2. Look behind each headlight assembly—you’ll see two adjustment screws (or bolts):

    • ​Vertical adjustment screw: Controls up/down movement. It’s usually located on top of the headlight housing.

    • ​Horizontal adjustment screw: Controls left/right movement. It’s typically on the side of the housing, near the outer edge.

  3. If your Maxima has plastic covers over the headlight area, use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry them off.

Step 4: Align the Headlights Using the Wall Reference

With the car 25 feet from the wall, turn on the low beams (do NOT use high beams yet). Here’s how to adjust:

Start with the Driver’s Side Headlight

  1. ​Vertical alignment: Look at the light pattern on the wall. The brightest part of the low beam should hit just below the horizontal line you marked. If it’s too high, turn the vertical adjustment screw clockwise to lower it; counterclockwise to raise it.

  2. ​Horizontal alignment: The main light beam should be centered on the vertical line (matching your car’s centerline). If it’s skewed left or right, adjust the horizontal screw until the beam aligns.

Repeat for the Passenger’s Side Headlight

Do the same for the passenger-side headlight, using the same reference lines. Both headlights should project identical patterns—no one should be higher, lower, or shifted more than ½ inch from the centerline.

Step 5: Test Drive and Fine-Tune

After adjusting, take your 2010 Maxima SV for a nighttime test drive on a familiar, dark road. Pay attention to:

  • ​Glare: Do oncoming drivers flash their lights? If so, your beams may still be too high.

  • ​Coverage: Can you see the road ahead clearly, including the edges? If not, the beams might be too low.

  • ​Symmetry: Do both headlights illuminate the road evenly? If one side feels dimmer, revisit the adjustment screws.

If needed, return to the garage and make small tweaks—headlight adjustment is precise work, and minor changes can make a big difference.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Even with careful steps, you might encounter problems. Here’s how to fix them:

“My beams are still crooked after adjusting.”

Check if the car is truly 25 feet from the wall. If the surface is sloped, reposition on flat ground. Also, ensure you didn’t mix up the adjustment screws—some models have hidden or hard-to-reach screws.

“The light pattern looks fuzzy or scattered.”

Dirty lenses can cause this. Re-wipe the headlights with glass cleaner, or consider restoring cloudy lenses with a headlight polishing kit.

“High beams don’t work after adjusting low beams.”

Unlikely, but if this happens, check the high beam bulb connections—they might have been jostled during adjustment.

How Often Should You Adjust Your 2010 Maxima SV’s Headlights?

Ideally, check alignment every 6 months or 10,000 miles. More frequently if you’ve hit potholes, been in a minor fender-bender, or notice reduced visibility. For older vehicles like the 2010 Maxima, suspension components (like control arms) can wear, gradually shifting the headlight angle—regular checks prevent big issues.

When to Call a Professional

While most adjustments are DIY-friendly, some situations require a mechanic:

  • ​Severe misalignment: If the beams are drastically off after multiple tries, the headlight assembly itself may be loose or damaged.

  • ​Electrical issues: If adjusting screws doesn’t fix dimness, the bulbs, fuses, or wiring might be faulty.

  • ​After collision repair: If your Maxima was in an accident, even a minor one, have a shop realign headlights to factory specs.

Final Thoughts: Why This Matters for Your Safety

Adjusting your 2010 Nissan Maxima SV’s headlights isn’t just a maintenance task—it’s a safety essential. Clear, properly aimed headlights let you see farther, reduce glare for others, and make you more visible on the road. With the steps above, you can take control of this simple but critical job, ensuring your Maxima remains safe and reliable for years to come.

Take 30 minutes tonight, grab your tools, and give your headlights the attention they deserve. Your future self (and other drivers) will thank you.

BACK