Adaptive lights in Europe from the UK

stu14t · 05-19-2013, 05:46 AM

Just booked our Hols in the south of France and will be on a two day road trip to get there, with some night driving.

Does anyone know if any adjustments are required to the adaptive lights when driving on the opposite side of the road?

I must admit the beam pattern does look fairly flat but there is a slight wedge on the left edge. Someone said to switch them from auto to manual on - off but I can't see what difference that makes.

One of the lads at work has an Insignia Elite, with adaptive Xenons, and he has to go through a procedure to lock the headlights to stop them "adapting"

RichardM · 05-19-2013, 05:49 AM

I was told by my dealer you don't need to do anything. I haven't seen written proof of that though!

stu14t · 05-19-2013, 05:55 AM

Back in the day, I remember my dad carefully painting his headlights yellow and sticking black wedge shaped things on the glass.

Were we just more polite in them days, not wanting to offend our European neighbours with our ill directed white lights ???

NISFAN · 05-19-2013, 05:56 AM

Good question!

The manual states not to turn on adaptive as it floods the nearside with light when cornering.

Doesn't mention any other procedure to switch from LH to RH.

rich1068 · 05-19-2013, 06:06 AM

It would be nice if there was a left and right hand side of the road setting. I remember reading that the bells and whistles A8 uses satnav/GPS to adjust the lights accordingly. So drive off the ferry or train in France and the lights adjust automatically. Pretty cool.

kitster · 05-19-2013, 01:58 PM

Manual says to switch off auto, I noticed that the beam pattern straightens out and no longer throws to the left; which is important if your driving on the right. Didn't get flashed once whilst in France.

SomeRandomer123 · 05-19-2013, 02:01 PM

To comply with driving in Europe with Adaptive Xenons, you may not use the automatic headlight function. At night, manually switch the Xenons on (dipped beam). This will prevent the adaptive function and the fixed position does not need to be altered to comply. High Beam Assist cannot be used.

Went through this with my dealer when I took my 328i to France a few months ago. None of those silly stickers required.

venkata · 05-19-2013, 03:24 PM

Used the adaptives Friday night on the M61, an unlit motorway... Boy was I impressed with it. Totally worth the extra

stu14t · 05-20-2013, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the responses.

While looking round the forum I found THIS

Fairly impressive technology at work

350doc · 01-16-2016, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich1068

It would be nice if there was a left and right hand side of the road setting. I remember reading that the bells and whistles A8 uses satnav/GPS to adjust the lights accordingly. So drive off the ferry or train in France and the lights adjust automatically. Pretty cool.

My 2015 A6 Allroad (with adaptive lights) is meant to have this feature (in conjunction with satnav data); yet bizarrely, it also has an option in the computer for adjusting the lights to drive on the right.

I can confirm that, in the Audi, the manual beam adjustment option (and using adaptive lights) is better when driving on the continent (was getting flashed more when relying on the automatic only option).

My 2015 LCI 3 series manual definitely says to turn adaptive lights off on the continent and that the beam pattern is neutral.

Mrklaw · 01-17-2016, 03:50 AM

Does that mean that non-adaptive cars have the neutral alignment as standard? So they don't bias towards the left to helo lighting up pavements/verges etc? That doesn't sound super safe.

teaston · 01-17-2016, 03:55 AM

The 530d with standard Xenons has a setting in the idrive to change the lights between driving on left or right. Does the F30 LCi with adaptives not have it??

philiper1 · 01-17-2016, 04:10 AM

Just turn them on and off manually and don't use auto option!

MarkG_M5Comp · 01-17-2016, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

The 530d with standard Xenons has a setting in the idrive to change the lights between driving on left or right. Does the F30 LCi with adaptives not have it??

It's a coding option to change LH/RH so it would make sense to have the option in idrive.

Might have a look later to see if there's another coding option to show in idrive.

teaston · 01-17-2016, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

The 530d with standard Xenons has a setting in the idrive to change the lights between driving on left or right. Does the F30 LCi with adaptives not have it??

It's a coding option to change LH/RH so it would make sense to have the option in idrive.

Might have a look later to see if there's another coding option to show in idrive.

That would be good if there was!

Rukka · 01-18-2016, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

It's a coding option to change LH/RH so it would make sense to have the option in idrive.

Might have a look later to see if there's another coding option to show in idrive.

Mark - did you ever look at this?

I'm having trouble with my adaptive and its booked in again next week but the more and more I look/test this, I'm convinced my lights are set wrong.

When stationary and driving, both my headlight beams point towards the RHS of the car. IE, into oncoming traffic!

If there were a setting to change them to a LH drive I'm sure that would be it

cheers

Rukka

kitster · 01-18-2016, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

The 530d with standard Xenons has a setting in the idrive to change the lights between driving on left or right. Does the F30 LCi with adaptives not have it??

It's a coding option to change LH/RH so it would make sense to have the option in idrive.

Might have a look later to see if there's another coding option to show in idrive.

The option is there in iDrive. However it doesn't work or I've missed out some coding.

Sladester100 · 05-29-2016, 07:29 PM

Thread revival. Kitster is yours a UK spec? I don't have that option...
Mark did you find anything ?

Doublep · 01-10-2017, 03:26 PM

Another kick. Sladester, did you find anything?

MarkG_M5Comp · 01-10-2017, 03:44 PM

I don't have a car to check on now...

My X5 have the iDrive option, my wife's 135 doesn't have adaptives....

Sorry.

teaston · 01-10-2017, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG_M50d

I don't have a car to check on now...

My X5 have the iDrive option, my wife's 135 doesn't have adaptives....

Sorry.

You have to change an option on the X5?! F30 LCI's just work abroad

free image host

05-19-2013, 05:46 AM	#1
stu14t Major 451 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 330i MSport Pro Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Adaptive lights in Europe from the UK Just booked our Hols in the south of France and will be on a two day road trip to get there, with some night driving. Does anyone know if any adjustments are required to the adaptive lights when driving on the opposite side of the road? I must admit the beam pattern does look fairly flat but there is a slight wedge on the left edge. Someone said to switch them from auto to manual on - off but I can't see what difference that makes. One of the lads at work has an Insignia Elite, with adaptive Xenons, and he has to go through a procedure to lock the headlights to stop them "adapting" __________________ Current - 2021 G20 330i M Sport+ Gone - 2017 F30 335d M Sport + in San Marino Blue Gone - 2015 F30 LCI 320d M Sport+ Step Auto Gone - 2012 F30 320 ED Gone - 2011 E87 118d
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05-19-2013, 05:49 AM	#2
RichardM Colonel 133 Rep 2,046 Posts Drives: G21 M340i LCI Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Essex UK iTrader: (2)	I was told by my dealer you don't need to do anything. I haven't seen written proof of that though!
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05-19-2013, 05:55 AM	#3
stu14t Major 451 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 330i MSport Pro Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Back in the day, I remember my dad carefully painting his headlights yellow and sticking black wedge shaped things on the glass. Were we just more polite in them days, not wanting to offend our European neighbours with our ill directed white lights ??? __________________ Current - 2021 G20 330i M Sport+ Gone - 2017 F30 335d M Sport + in San Marino Blue Gone - 2015 F30 LCI 320d M Sport+ Step Auto Gone - 2012 F30 320 ED Gone - 2011 E87 118d
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05-19-2013, 05:56 AM	#4
NISFAN Major General 3489 Rep 9,709 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bedford UK iTrader: (0)	Good question! The manual states not to turn on adaptive as it floods the nearside with light when cornering. Doesn't mention any other procedure to switch from LH to RH.
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05-19-2013, 06:06 AM	#5
rich1068 has left the building 90 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	It would be nice if there was a left and right hand side of the road setting. I remember reading that the bells and whistles A8 uses satnav/GPS to adjust the lights accordingly. So drive off the ferry or train in France and the lights adjust automatically. Pretty cool.
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05-19-2013, 01:58 PM	#6
kitster Lieutenant Colonel 541 Rep 1,894 Posts Drives: G31 M Sport Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Manual says to switch off auto, I noticed that the beam pattern straightens out and no longer throws to the left; which is important if your driving on the right. Didn't get flashed once whilst in France.
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05-19-2013, 02:01 PM	#7
SomeRandomer123 Colonel 307 Rep 2,612 Posts Drives: F30 328i Luxury - Sport Auto Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lancashire, North West England, UK iTrader: (0)	To comply with driving in Europe with Adaptive Xenons, you may not use the automatic headlight function. At night, manually switch the Xenons on (dipped beam). This will prevent the adaptive function and the fixed position does not need to be altered to comply. High Beam Assist cannot be used. Went through this with my dealer when I took my 328i to France a few months ago. None of those silly stickers required. __________________ Gone: 2006 BMW E60 520d SE 6MT Gone: 2009 BMW E90-LCI 330d SE 6MT Current: 2012 F30 328i Luxury 8AT On Order: 2015 Audi A6 Avant Ultra, Black Edition (sorry!)
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05-19-2013, 03:24 PM	#8
venkata Lieutenant 27 Rep 583 Posts Drives: F30 330e MSport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Lancashire iTrader: (0)	Used the adaptives Friday night on the M61, an unlit motorway... Boy was I impressed with it. Totally worth the extra __________________ Driving: F30 330e // /M-Sport \| Mineral Grey \| Coral Red Leather \| M Sport Plus Pack \| Media Pro Plus Pack \| Active Security Pack \| Adaptive LED Lights \| Advanced Parking Pack \| Interior Comfort Pack \| Enhanced Bluetooth with Wireless Charging\| Black Performance Grill \| Heated Seats \| Heated Steering \| Speed Limit Display
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05-20-2013, 12:46 PM	#9
stu14t Major 451 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 330i MSport Pro Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the responses. While looking round the forum I found THIS Fairly impressive technology at work __________________ Current - 2021 G20 330i M Sport+ Gone - 2017 F30 335d M Sport + in San Marino Blue Gone - 2015 F30 LCI 320d M Sport+ Step Auto Gone - 2012 F30 320 ED Gone - 2011 E87 118d
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01-17-2016, 03:50 AM	#11
Mrklaw Captain 170 Rep 785 Posts Drives: F30 LCI 320i msport Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Windsor uk iTrader: (0)	Does that mean that non-adaptive cars have the neutral alignment as standard? So they don't bias towards the left to helo lighting up pavements/verges etc? That doesn't sound super safe.
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01-17-2016, 03:55 AM	#12
teaston Banned 10995 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	The 530d with standard Xenons has a setting in the idrive to change the lights between driving on left or right. Does the F30 LCi with adaptives not have it??
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01-17-2016, 04:10 AM	#13
philiper1 Colonel 771 Rep 2,468 Posts Drives: F21 M135i LCI Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Norfolk iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 Coupe [0.00] 2016 BMW M135i [0.00]	Just turn them on and off manually and don't use auto option! __________________ Current: F21 M135i Mineral Grey and few options Previous: F30 320i XDrive, E85 2.5i, E21 323i
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05-29-2016, 07:29 PM	#18
Sladester100 Lieutenant 128 Rep 588 Posts Drives: F30 320d & G29 M40i First Edtn Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: South East, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW Z4 M40i Fi ... [9.50]	Thread revival. Kitster is yours a UK spec? I don't have that option... Mark did you find anything ?
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01-10-2017, 03:26 PM	#19
Doublep Happily breaking in the F36! 74 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 430i GC EB/SB Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Netherlands 🇳🇱 iTrader: (0)	Another kick. Sladester, did you find anything?
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01-10-2017, 03:44 PM	#20
MarkG_M5Comp Supreme Being 1804 Rep 5,425 Posts Drives: M5 Comp Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I don't have a car to check on now... My X5 have the iDrive option, my wife's 135 doesn't have adaptives.... Sorry. __________________ Current: F90 M5 Competition Gone: F80 M3 Competition Pack / M135i / F15 X5 M50d / Saab 9-5 Aero HOT / F30 335d xDrive M Sport / E92 LCI 320d M Sport / E46 320d M Sport Touring / E46 318i Touring
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