[sdhotwn]

Curious what others think of the low beam aiming on the adaptive headlights. Mine from the factory seems REALLY short. You can see the beam cutoff line on the pavement about 30 feet in front of the car. I can be at a light and parked a car length back and not even hit the bumper with the cutoff lines. Similar for anyone else?

Thanks!

Steve

[Pauleebe]

I'm pretty sure BMW uses really accurate technology to align the headlights from the factor. You have to be careful with making the beam cutoff higher because it can blind oncoming or traffic ahead of you.

[sdhotwn]

Yeah, I understand that. I also have adaptive headlights on our X3 with WAY different aim. I'm curious if something is off for some reason. May have the dealer re-check it.

[umkc]

i complained about the same issue and dealer fixed it( raised the focus angle) without a question, which is odd because its a traffic hazard and can blind the oncoming vehicles, but i am happy because i can actually see at night now.

[cricoid]

Mine seem aimed very low too. I typically drive home on a rural two-lane road, and the high beams are pretty much required to see at a safe distance when moving at a brisk pace.

It's especially noticeable after I've been driving my 4Runner for a day or so. Those low beams seem to throw an amazing distance in comparison to the 435.

[sdhotwn]

Well at least it's not just me. Hopefully the dealer will adjust it a little bit.

[Koer]

Originally Posted by cricoid

Mine seem aimed very low too. I typically drive home on a rural two-lane road, and the high beams are pretty much required to see at a safe distance when moving at a brisk pace.

It's especially noticeable after I've been driving my 4Runner for a day or so. Those low beams seem to throw an amazing distance in comparison to the 435.

you can adjust them yourself.. just google "f30 headlight adjustment". should be pretty similar to the 4 series.

there are 2 adjustment knobs on each headlight when you open the hood. one adjusts left-right direction and the other up-down.

park your car in front of a wall so you see how much you raise them, remember that every turn is about 8 feet of range in either direction

[sdhotwn]

Originally Posted by Koer

you can adjust them yourself.. just google "f30 headlight adjustment". should be pretty similar to the 4 series.

there are 2 adjustment knobs on each headlight when you open the hood. one adjusts left-right direction and the other up-down.

park your car in front of a wall so you see how much you raise them, remember that every turn is about 8 feet of range in either direction

Good to know. If they say they are "fine" then I'll adjust. I have to take it in for a few other quibbles eventually here, so we'll see.

[rking117]

I dont know about the F30 but on my E89 each wheel has a sensor that sends a signal to the auto leveling function and the sensors have been known to flip around backwards after hitting a large bump like a speed bumb or something. Once that happens the headlights dont project but maybe a few feet in front of the vehicle. To correct the problem the car has to be raised and the sensor removed and flipped back around so that it sends the right signal to the auto levleing function again. This is a big issue on the E89 forum.

But like i said I am not aware that this issues crosses over to the F30s or not but it is worth taking it in to have them take a look at the sensors. If you find out that it does work similar to the E89 please post your results as this may be one more thing we need to monitor on the F30.

[snowghost]

I was noticing the same on my F30. I do have the Dinan springs which lower the suspension another 10mm. But it is a level drop, so you would think that would not cause it.

I find that having the Anti-Dazzle unlocked on the Adaptive Headlights takes care of it though.

[wolves]

Originally Posted by Koer

you can adjust them yourself.. just google "f30 headlight adjustment". should be pretty similar to the 4 series.

there are 2 adjustment knobs on each headlight when you open the hood. one adjusts left-right direction and the other up-down.

park your car in front of a wall so you see how much you raise them, remember that every turn is about 8 feet of range in either direction

Thanks for posting, I need to do this.

[mvrwdakingtm]

I also have adaptive headlights on our X3 with WAY different aim.

[sdhotwn]

Originally Posted by mvrwdakingtm

I also have adaptive headlights on our X3 with WAY different aim.

That's interesting and good to know.

Last night I was following a newer Subaru Forester and it looked like their beam cutoff distance was the same as the 335's.

[msej449]

Not sure if this helps, but I initially felt the same until I started to turn on the High-beam Assist and let the forward-scanning camera adjust the lighting dynamically.

This gives you almost permanent high-beam on the near-side (driver's side), which adjusts to the road's curvature left/right.

You then have to get used to the constant adjustment of the ahead and off-side vertical/horizontal throw. At first, it can seem like it's overly 'busy' and is changing the throw all the time (which it is): but after a while you get used to it.

I suppose what I'm saying is that the Adaptive works best in conjunction with High Beam Assist and the relatively short 'throw' isn't a problem when both are working in tandem. I think BMW should really package these together as a single option and give owners a bit more guidance.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by msej449

Not sure if this helps, but I initially felt the same until I started to turn on the High-beam Assist and let the forward-scanning camera adjust the lighting dynamically.

This gives you almost permanent high-beam on the near-side (driver's side), which adjusts to the road's curvature left/right.

You then have to get used to the constant adjustment of the ahead and off-side vertical/horizontal throw. At first, it can seem like it's overly 'busy' and is changing the throw all the time (which it is): but after a while you get used to it.

I suppose what I'm saying is that the Adaptive works best in conjunction with High Beam Assist and the relatively short 'throw' isn't a problem when both are working in tandem. I think BMW should really package these together as a single option and give owners a bit more guidance.

This needs to be coded here in the USA. By default the Adaptive Anti Dazzle is decoded.

[coolguy_y]

Originally Posted by msej449

Not sure if this helps, but I initially felt the same until I started to turn on the High-beam Assist and let the forward-scanning camera adjust the lighting dynamically.

This gives you almost permanent high-beam on the near-side (driver's side), which adjusts to the road's curvature left/right.

You then have to get used to the constant adjustment of the ahead and off-side vertical/horizontal throw. At first, it can seem like it's overly 'busy' and is changing the throw all the time (which it is): but after a while you get used to it.

I suppose what I'm saying is that the Adaptive works best in conjunction with High Beam Assist and the relatively short 'throw' isn't a problem when both are working in tandem. I think BMW should really package these together as a single option and give owners a bit more guidance.

Many times when I am driving I feel like I am getting flashed from drivers behind me only to find out that their lights are set to auto setting and every bump (speed or a pothole or whatever) sets the system to auto correct and level. It's momentarily blinds people driving ahead of you who don't have anti-reflective coatings on either their side view or rear view mirrors.

I feel that high beam assist is not a safe feature for drivers in front of you and for drivers in the oncoming traffic. This can lead to dangerous situations for these folks at the expense of the "auto" feature.

[Prissy]

takes 1mins to adjust the aim yourself.

[Jimminez]

Originally Posted by Prissy

takes 1mins to adjust the aim yourself.

^this.

There are two adjustment screws on the top side of each headlight. The ones towards the middle adjust vertically. Follow the guidance in the site linked below.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html

[Koer]

Originally Posted by rking117

I dont know about the F30 but on my E89 each wheel has a sensor that sends a signal to the auto leveling function and the sensors have been known to flip around backwards after hitting a large bump like a speed bumb or something. Once that happens the headlights dont project but maybe a few feet in front of the vehicle. To correct the problem the car has to be raised and the sensor removed and flipped back around so that it sends the right signal to the auto levleing function again. This is a big issue on the E89 forum.

But like i said I am not aware that this issues crosses over to the F30s or not but it is worth taking it in to have them take a look at the sensors. If you find out that it does work similar to the E89 please post your results as this may be one more thing we need to monitor on the F30.

it's no longer an issue on the f30... i've hit potholes that have broken both the tire and my rim on the rear and my auto level never stopped working. There is a fine line between too high and too low on the low beams, finding the right height might require some nightime driving but its worth it!! after that let the auto level do the fine tuning

[mvrwdakingtm]

I also have adaptive headlights on our X3 with WAY different aim.

[Christos]

Originally Posted by sdhotwn

Curious what others think of the low beam aiming on the adaptive headlights. Mine from the factory seems REALLY short. You can see the beam cutoff line on the pavement about 30 feet in front of the car. I can be at a light and parked a car length back and not even hit the bumper with the cutoff lines. Similar for anyone else?

Thanks!

Steve

I have felt the same about my 428i since delivery. So many deer on the roads around central Nj, I can't see far enough ahead. High beams are a required more than ever with this car. guess I'll have to google headlight adjustment