[NVETHIS]

I'm experiencing a few quirks with my auto headlights (headlight switch set to automatic).

The biggest is during daytime hours when it's clearly sunny outside the headlights don't switch off and remain on. Or for instance, leaving work, I'm in a parking garage, the lights will turn on but when exiting the garage into the daylight they will not turn off. It's very sporadic too. For instance this morning leaving home from my parking garage the lights were on. I got out on the street and in the sun and they turned off. Went on the highway and into the 3rd St tunnel and they switched on as they usually do however, when exiting the tunnel and back into direct sunlight the headlights remained on the rest of the way to work.

It's rather annoying. Is the computer aware of what time of day it is; like when leaving work after say 4PM and it's close to dusk or the sun going down, but still clearly bright outside, the headlights will remain on. Anyone else having anything like this?

-NVE

[beanbaguk]

I've found this on my headlights too however I worked out if it's very bright or the sun shining directly at me, the lights remain on. Presumably to increase your visibility to oncoming drivers.

[NVETHIS]

Originally Posted by beanbaguk

I've found this on my headlights too however I worked out if it's very bright or the sun shining directly at me, the lights remain on. Presumably to increase your visibility to oncoming drivers.

Good to know it's not just me. It's really not that big of an issue, just that during the day I like to have my halo's on and that's it. I have started just switching off Auto Headlights if I notice them on during the day.

-NVE

[BavarianFanatic]

The lights will turn on if the sun is at a low angle - i.e. glare is likely - to improve your visibility to other drivers. The times you've described would certainly support that given the time of year and inclination of the sun.

[NVETHIS]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

The lights will turn on if the sun is at a low angle - i.e. glare is likely - to improve your visibility to other drivers. The times you've described would certainly support that given the time of year and inclination of the sun.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking it may be something like this, just wanted to make sure I wasn't going coo-coo and should have it looked at.

-NVE

[SoDiezl350]

You can code the lights to be less sensitive and stay off under less external light. I too have found them to turn on under conditions i would consider daylight.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by SoDiezl350

You can code the lights to be less sensitive and stay off under less external light. I too have found them to turn on under conditions i would consider daylight.

Yet another feature that is curiously only controlled through "coding". Why not an iDrive setting??

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by tex2670

Yet another feature that is curiously only controlled through "coding". Why not an iDrive setting??

Because they're configured differently for different markets around the globe. North America is the frivolous lawsuit capital of the world, so we don't get to control our own destiny. I can't say that I blame them...

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

Because they're configured differently for different markets around the globe. North America is the frivolous lawsuit capital of the world, so we don't get to control our own destiny. I can't say that I blame them...

I can't control the sensitivity of my headlights because I might sue BMW because ... what, the lights don't come on at 4:00pm? But I can turn off my DRLs, which are supposed to be a safety feature...? Okaaaayyy then....

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by tex2670

I can't control the sensitivity of my headlights because I might sue BMW because ... what, the lights don't come on at 4:00pm? But I can turn off my DRLs, which are supposed to be a safety feature...? Okaaaayyy then....

Frivolous lawsuits are frivolous and not based on rational logic?

You CAN control the sensitivity of your lights - the old fashioned way. Don't use the auto setting. If you do, you let them decide what's best for you. I guarantee you that somewhere, someday, someone would get in a wreck and their attorney would claim that the automatic headlights malfunctioned causing the wreck. This is the world that we live in, and it sucks for those of us that aren't idiots.

[shivaswrath]

don't they turn on dusk and dawn....?

[uansari1]

FYI, when the auto headlight is triggered and you go back into daylight, there is a delay before the lights turn off. I believe it's a delay of several minutes in case you might go back through a tunnel or into a parking garage. Totally normal.

[keylime503]

It's really a shame that the headlights don't turn on whenever the windshield wipers are activated. That should be a given.

[flyguy27]

Originally Posted by keylime503

It's really a shame that the headlights don't turn on whenever the windshield wipers are activated. That should be a given.

Mine turn on if the wipers are in rain sensing mode and it starts to rain with the headlight switch is in auto mode.

[NVETHIS]

Originally Posted by flyguy27

Mine turn on if the wipers are in rain sensing mode and it starts to rain with the headlight switch is in auto mode.

Mine do too. I 90% of the time use Auto wipers, so the lights always come on after the wipers are going for a few seconds.

-NVE

[NOITALL]

Do you have anything covering your rear view mirror? Like a parking pass hanging there, or a navigation unit/radar detector/dashcam?

I moved mine to fix the issue.

Also, it is possible to adjust the headlight sensor sensitivity in-dash on the E90. They removed it on the F...

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by NVETHIS

Mine do too. I 90% of the time use Auto wipers, so the lights always come on after the wipers are going for a few seconds.

-NVE

Nice find! I had no idea about this, but it was drizzling this morning, and I'll be damned. Thx for the tip.

[otay]

Just the thread I was looking for. Where exactly is the auto headlight sensor for ambient light?

My auto headlights also seem to be on more often than off. Had another F30 opposite from me at a stop light this morning, his halos where on...headlights off. But my headlights were on.

I put my toll tag just to the right of the inside rear view mirror, but it's not that near the rain sensor...wouldn't think it would affect anything else?

[otay]

I was able to code it to be less sensitive, I think it's mo' betta now. (my first coding session...yay!)

Still don't know where the daylight sensor is...anyone? Is it in the same place as the rain sensor?

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by otay

I was able to code it to be less sensitive, I think it's mo' betta now. (my first coding session...yay!)

Still don't know where the daylight sensor is...anyone? Is it in the same place as the rain sensor?

If you're worried about Auto headlights, then just run them yourself. That's the point of auto... Let the computer do the work

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by otay

Just the thread I was looking for. Where exactly is the auto headlight sensor for ambient light?

My auto headlights also seem to be on more often than off. Had another F30 opposite from me at a stop light this morning, his halos where on...headlights off. But my headlights were on.

I put my toll tag just to the right of the inside rear view mirror, but it's not that near the rain sensor...wouldn't think it would affect anything else?

The sensor is on the backside of the rear view mirror - on the passenger side. Your toll tag may be blocking it. The rain sensor is in the mirror mount, but the ambient light sensor is actually on the mirror itself. Anything between the mirror and windshield would potentially block it.

[DJ Rocc]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

If you're worried about Auto headlights, then just run them yourself. That's the point of auto... Let the computer do the work

Hmmmm........Just like our "Auto" Wipers?