Headlight on in bright conditions???

bobiam · 07-19-2018, 06:59 PM

I was out this evening when the sun was about an hour or so form setting. It was darn bright out! Car is switched to automatic headlights and daytime lights selected on in settings. I could not believe the headlights were on all the time. Fog lights switched off. I looked up the below pg 87 in the on-line manual.....I suppose this is what they are talking about. I guess there is no sensitively control!

Automatic headlamp control
Switch position (automatic headlights) the low beams are switched
on and off automatically, e.g., in tunnels, in twilight
or if there is precipitation. The indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams always stay on when the fog
lamps are switched on.

Billfitz · 07-19-2018, 09:01 PM

There is a sensitivity adjustment, but not in iDrive settings. You have to code it.

vooonoo · 07-19-2018, 09:19 PM

I mean most states have a law that your headlights must be on when visibility is low, the sun being in that position causes low visibility, so it's not a bad thing

Billfitz · 07-20-2018, 07:22 AM

I agree with the OP that the sensitivity is too high. My lights come on a good half hour or more earlier than they should IMO with respect to how dark it is. They also seem to respond more to the position of the sun in the sky than the actual ambient light level, as they don't come on prematurely when the sun is high but the sky is overcast. There's no statutory reason for the headlights to come on unless you actually need them to see, as the DRLs allow others to see you. It doesn't bother me enough to have taken the time to code them to reduced sensitivity, but I can see how having the lights come on for no good reason can be irritating.

bobiam · 07-20-2018, 07:47 AM

Ok..... How do we code them???? If my Subaru automatic lights work ideally (and provide easy owner adjustment), why can't BMW?

Billfitz · 07-20-2018, 10:09 AM

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=429

bobiam · 07-20-2018, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=429

I read this over... I thought I was reasonably technical the this guy is from another world. I wish he lived next door to me!! Anyway, since he does not, I'll leave the headlights be for now.

Thanks for the link...

upsidedownfunnel · 07-20-2018, 12:49 PM

When it's overcast, it's actually much brighter than you think. Anyway, as far as I remember, it's either the law (or just good practice) to have your headlights on 30 minutes before sunset and after sunrise, regardless of how bright it is. I'm not sure why it's a big deal to have your headlights on though?

07-19-2018, 06:59 PM	#1
bobiam Second Lieutenant 76 Rep 234 Posts Drives: Mineral White 2015 335xi Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Unionville, CT iTrader: (0)	Headlight on in bright conditions??? I was out this evening when the sun was about an hour or so form setting. It was darn bright out! Car is switched to automatic headlights and daytime lights selected on in settings. I could not believe the headlights were on all the time. Fog lights switched off. I looked up the below pg 87 in the on-line manual.....I suppose this is what they are talking about. I guess there is no sensitively control! Automatic headlamp control Switch position (automatic headlights) the low beams are switched on and off automatically, e.g., in tunnels, in twilight or if there is precipitation. The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can cause the lights to be switched on. The low beams always stay on when the fog lamps are switched on. __________________ 2015 Mineral White 335xi Sport trim
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07-19-2018, 09:01 PM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8218 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	There is a sensitivity adjustment, but not in iDrive settings. You have to code it.
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07-19-2018, 09:19 PM	#3
vooonoo ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 537 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: f30 328 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: nj iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 f30 328i [0.00]	I mean most states have a law that your headlights must be on when visibility is low, the sun being in that position causes low visibility, so it's not a bad thing
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07-20-2018, 07:22 AM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8218 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	I agree with the OP that the sensitivity is too high. My lights come on a good half hour or more earlier than they should IMO with respect to how dark it is. They also seem to respond more to the position of the sun in the sky than the actual ambient light level, as they don't come on prematurely when the sun is high but the sky is overcast. There's no statutory reason for the headlights to come on unless you actually need them to see, as the DRLs allow others to see you. It doesn't bother me enough to have taken the time to code them to reduced sensitivity, but I can see how having the lights come on for no good reason can be irritating.
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07-20-2018, 07:47 AM	#5
bobiam Second Lieutenant 76 Rep 234 Posts Drives: Mineral White 2015 335xi Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Unionville, CT iTrader: (0)	Ok..... How do we code them???? If my Subaru automatic lights work ideally (and provide easy owner adjustment), why can't BMW? __________________ 2015 Mineral White 335xi Sport trim
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07-20-2018, 10:09 AM	#6
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8218 Rep 16,054 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=429
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07-20-2018, 12:49 PM	#8
upsidedownfunnel Colonel 1996 Rep 2,499 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	When it's overcast, it's actually much brighter than you think. Anyway, as far as I remember, it's either the law (or just good practice) to have your headlights on 30 minutes before sunset and after sunrise, regardless of how bright it is. I'm not sure why it's a big deal to have your headlights on though?
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