Xenons turn on during the day w/auto

jessea · 12-30-2009, 08:49 AM

Got my car a couple of days ago. On my way to work today at 8am (sunny day w/o any clouds) the headlights had the xenons turned on the whole ride. I am in auto setting. Is this normal? tia

Bluesummer · 12-30-2009, 08:58 AM

the world is going to end. everything is normal

SPANAK · 12-30-2009, 09:06 AM

It's normal, it's happened to me almost every day since the temps dropped.

bimmergixxer · 12-30-2009, 09:08 AM

Yep. They like to turn on in the morning when it is sunny as hell outside. I dont get it

jessea · 12-30-2009, 09:16 AM

thanks guys. As long as nothing is wrong I don't care. I'm still a little OCD about the car since it's new!

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn · 12-30-2009, 09:18 AM

Day time running lights. All new cars are required to have them by law.

jessea · 12-30-2009, 09:28 AM

Yes I know about the DRL. But it seemed like the full blown xenons were on and not the DRL. DRL are lighter, similar to the parking light as far as I know.

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn · 12-30-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessea

Yes I know about the DRL. But it seemed like the full blown xenons were on and not the DRL. DRL are lighter, similar to the parking light as far as I know.

Don't believe so. If you have the lights set on auto, and you drive into a dark tunnel, you will see them go from somewhat dim to fully on. The daytime running lights aren't a separate set of lights.

fdiprete · 12-30-2009, 09:33 AM

"normal" is one way to describe it.
my 2006 does the same thing.

"auto" means headlights on even if the sun is blaring in your face during the day.
sometimes it means 'off' during an overcast day.
at least it means they're on at night.

SPANAK · 12-30-2009, 09:34 AM

It's not the DRL's. I have mine set to off.

The headlights, Angels and tails are on just like they are at night. I think it has to do with the way the sun hits the sensor in the morning, Since it's still relatively low in the morning it may see it as sunset/ dusk. You could adjust it to a less sensitive setting through iDrive if you have it.

jessea · 12-30-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPANAK

It's not the DRL's. I have mine set to off.

The headlights, Angels and tails are on just like they are at night. I think it has to do with the way the sun hits the sensor in the morning, Since it's still relatively low in the morning it may see it as sunset/ dusk. You could adjust it to a less sensitive setting through iDrive if you have it.

Hmmm, I do have iDrive but didn't see that it can be adjusted. Will try to do this later today. Is the option difficult to find?

ctgazer · 12-30-2009, 09:53 AM

not difficult to find. either that a tunnel or you used your windshield wipers. using those turns on lights when you have it set to auto as well

lesfinnie · 12-30-2009, 09:59 AM

It is in i drive settings under lights/dlr off or on tick which ever you want

David9962000 · 12-30-2009, 11:10 AM

Yeah, the "auto" mode on the headlight is to sensitive. I turn mine on manually.

wrickem · 12-30-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPANAK

You could adjust it to a less sensitive setting through iDrive if you have it.

Did they put the "sensitivity" setting for the headlights back on Idrive again? the early version had it, but then with one of the updates, it got removed. I know for sure my '07 E92 (7/07 build, with later updates) does not have it and never did.

Kilgore Trout · 12-30-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesfinnie

It is in i drive settings under lights/dlr off or on tick which ever you want

There isn't any setting like that for the LCI Idrive.

MooseCaboose · 12-30-2009, 01:22 PM

i noticed it sometimes does this too in the summer driving towards the sun. i learned its more of a drl thing. lights turn on for better visibility for other drivers seeing you when its extremely bright out(standard drl not being sufficient in this condition). also, it has to do with the brightness outside your car and inside your car.

Ryan323i · 12-30-2009, 02:14 PM

There are 3 settings that control the auto headlights and wipers: normal, sensitive (stock setting), and highly sensitive. Does anyone know how to change this setting for non-idrive cars? Or can only a dealer do it?

DnA Diesel · 12-30-2009, 02:19 PM

Bi-xenons use the inner and outer angel-eyes as the DRLs, not the low beam. The automode to turn the low beams on can be a bit 'unpredictable', but as Fdiprete notes, they come on for sure at night. Also note that the low beams will turn on even in auto and bright outside if you turn on your fogs/driving lights.

vadim · 12-30-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmergixxer

Yep. They like to turn on in the morning when it is sunny as hell outside. I dont get it

The logic of headlight control is quite complicated. It takes into account light on the road, in front and behind the car as well as the overall luminocity. It knows to turn on the headlights when the sun is low enough to shine right into your eyes (hate driving at this time of day!) to make your car more visible to other drivers.

rolling18 · 12-30-2009, 10:48 PM

mine do the same thing.
I find it better to not look like one of "those" people that run w/ HID AND d.r.l. in the day...

I keep mine "off" until they are needed. I prefer not to run the HID all the time and have them burn out much sooner than they would when only using them when headlights are normally needed. (warranty or not)

hell during the summer i can go for weeks w/o even turning them on

Aurora Bearialis · 12-30-2009, 10:58 PM

yeah its normal... mine does it. If it bothers you enough you have to make a new thread about it why don't you just take it off auto to off, so they aren't on?

12-30-2009, 08:49 AM	#1
jessea Private 13 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2010 328xi Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Xenons turn on during the day w/auto Got my car a couple of days ago. On my way to work today at 8am (sunny day w/o any clouds) the headlights had the xenons turned on the whole ride. I am in auto setting. Is this normal? tia
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12-30-2009, 08:58 AM	#2
Bluesummer Lieutenant General 588 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: slower than Ayrton Senna Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (15) Garage List 2017 BMW X5M [0.00] 2015 M4 [0.00] 2011 E82 135 [0.00] 2011 M3 [0.00] 2007 335 [0.00]	the world is going to end. everything is normal __________________ IG:d.violet.m3
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12-30-2009, 09:06 AM	#3
SPANAK First Lieutenant 8 Rep 300 Posts Drives: BSM 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (2)	It's normal, it's happened to me almost every day since the temps dropped.
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12-30-2009, 09:08 AM	#4
bimmergixxer Railside Performance 48 Rep 331 Posts Drives: E92 M3 R8 V10 Q5 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Railside Performance iTrader: (8) Garage List 2010 Ducati Streetf ... [7.00] 2017 Q5 [0.00] 2017 BMW R NineT Racer [5.00] 2010 Audi R8 V10 Ma ... [0.00] 2008 M3 [10.00]	Yep. They like to turn on in the morning when it is sunny as hell outside. I dont get it
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12-30-2009, 09:16 AM	#5
jessea Private 13 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2010 328xi Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	thanks guys. As long as nothing is wrong I don't care. I'm still a little OCD about the car since it's new!
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12-30-2009, 09:18 AM	#6
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Lieutenant 108 Rep 465 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 2 iTrader: (0)	Day time running lights. All new cars are required to have them by law.
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12-30-2009, 09:28 AM	#7
jessea Private 13 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2010 328xi Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Yes I know about the DRL. But it seemed like the full blown xenons were on and not the DRL. DRL are lighter, similar to the parking light as far as I know.
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12-30-2009, 09:33 AM	#9
fdiprete First Lieutenant 21 Rep 339 Posts Drives: 2014 512i xdrive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NH iTrader: (2)	"normal" is one way to describe it. my 2006 does the same thing. "auto" means headlights on even if the sun is blaring in your face during the day. sometimes it means 'off' during an overcast day. at least it means they're on at night.
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12-30-2009, 09:34 AM	#10
SPANAK First Lieutenant 8 Rep 300 Posts Drives: BSM 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (2)	It's not the DRL's. I have mine set to off. The headlights, Angels and tails are on just like they are at night. I think it has to do with the way the sun hits the sensor in the morning, Since it's still relatively low in the morning it may see it as sunset/ dusk. You could adjust it to a less sensitive setting through iDrive if you have it.
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12-30-2009, 09:53 AM	#12
ctgazer Major General 383 Rep 7,952 Posts Drives: a dilapidated ride Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: canada eh! iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 e90 [0.00]	not difficult to find. either that a tunnel or you used your windshield wipers. using those turns on lights when you have it set to auto as well __________________
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12-30-2009, 09:59 AM	#13
lesfinnie Panzer 18 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 335d SE Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335d se [0.00]	It is in i drive settings under lights/dlr off or on tick which ever you want
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12-30-2009, 11:10 AM	#14
David9962000 Captain 77 Rep 683 Posts Drives: Bayerische Motoren Werke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	Yeah, the "auto" mode on the headlight is to sensitive. I turn mine on manually.
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12-30-2009, 01:22 PM	#17
MooseCaboose First Lieutenant 29 Rep 367 Posts Drives: with a doge Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	i noticed it sometimes does this too in the summer driving towards the sun. i learned its more of a drl thing. lights turn on for better visibility for other drivers seeing you when its extremely bright out(standard drl not being sufficient in this condition). also, it has to do with the brightness outside your car and inside your car. __________________
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12-30-2009, 02:14 PM	#18
Ryan323i Captain 22 Rep 844 Posts Drives: 2015 320i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (0)	There are 3 settings that control the auto headlights and wipers: normal, sensitive (stock setting), and highly sensitive. Does anyone know how to change this setting for non-idrive cars? Or can only a dealer do it? __________________ 2015 320i xDrive \| Imperial Blue Metallic/Black SensaTec \| Sport Package \| Lighting Package \| Moonroof \| Heated front seats Past BMWs: 2006 330i, 2000 323i
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12-30-2009, 02:19 PM	#19
DnA Diesel Major 27 Rep 1,110 Posts Drives: 09 335d Sport SGrey/Blk/Blk Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Bi-xenons use the inner and outer angel-eyes as the DRLs, not the low beam. The automode to turn the low beams on can be a bit 'unpredictable', but as Fdiprete notes, they come on for sure at night. Also note that the low beams will turn on even in auto and bright outside if you turn on your fogs/driving lights. __________________ 2016 GLE 350d - White on Black
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12-30-2009, 10:48 PM	#21
rolling18 I AM the 12th. Emom 48 Rep 1,007 Posts Drives: 07 335i SG Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: portland, OR iTrader: (1)	mine do the same thing. I find it better to not look like one of "those" people that run w/ HID AND d.r.l. in the day... I keep mine "off" until they are needed. I prefer not to run the HID all the time and have them burn out much sooner than they would when only using them when headlights are normally needed. (warranty or not) hell during the summer i can go for weeks w/o even turning them on __________________ *e92, 335i SG/ Coral. 6m, LSD,*
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12-30-2009, 10:58 PM	#22
Aurora Bearialis ¡Barça! 168 Rep 12,042 Posts Drives: Rainbow Sandals Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [0.00]	yeah its normal... mine does it. If it bothers you enough you have to make a new thread about it why don't you just take it off auto to off, so they aren't on? __________________ Tate's chicken sucks!
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