[ben_e71]

Spent an afternoon reading the manual and still confused

I have adaptive headlights and drove in the dark for the first time today. All of this was below 60 mph and all the headlights did with the adaptive light illuminated is steer and auto full beam and dipped beam.

I was expecting the tunnels of darkness etc. does this only come above 60 mph? Because faced with oncoming traffic all the lights did was dip.

[dopper99]

I had a problem with my adaptive/high beam assist when my car was new. All the main beam did was dip automatically, exactly the same as my E90 did. Then after a week or two they suddenly started doing what they were supposed to, as described by folks on here.
You know they are working when the blue full beam light is still on even though you are following a car or are passing a car coming the other way.

I think the high beam assist should work above around 30 mph.

[DaveA]

Each side should switch hi/lo and move independently..

For instance, on a dual carriageway, with oncoming traffic, if they are both up, the one on the right might first move right to light in front of the oncoming traffic but not dazzle them, then as the car comes closer, it should dip on the right hand side to avoid dazzling the oncoming traffic... but the left will stay up on left hand side.. It might move left.. and it will dip if there is a car in front going in the same direction as you approach it..

Best place to see what's going on is a dual carriageway with no o/h lighting…

[ben_e71]

Okay I'll try a DC. But currently my adaptive light is just acting as high low beam as the blue warning light is going out.

[dopper99]

Have a look on YouTube as a few people have posted up what it supposed to do.

Or watch the official one:

[F30AM]

I still do not understand how they work.
What do I have to do?
I have the switch on Auto, press the high beam assist on the left stalk (bottom button) so a green light shows on the dash, then what?
Nothing seems to happen.
Do I also have to click the stalk on high beam (blue light on dash)?

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I still do not understand how they work.
What do I have to do?
I have the switch on Auto, press the high beam assist on the left stalk (bottom button) so a green light shows on the dash, then what?
Nothing seems to happen.
Do I also have to click the stalk on high beam (blue light on dash)?

You have to get out of London for a start. it won't work in build up areas so find yourself a country lane
All you need to do is press the switch on the left stalk as you have said. That's it. The rest should be automatic.

[ben_e71]

Okay all my driving today was done under street lights so that maybe it. But I've just realised I haven't seen my lights do the salute as they are turned on so need to check that.

Just checked they are saluting. Had a beer now so can't drive it will check tomorrow somewhere dark.

[robbiep]

Pretty sure they don't ever high beam under streetlights. Happy to be corrected though

[dopper99]

Yes, won't work if there is street lighting. You need you get out on an unlit road for it to work.

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by F30AM

I still do not understand how they work.
What do I have to do?
I have the switch on Auto, press the high beam assist on the left stalk (bottom button) so a green light shows on the dash, then what?

That's it.. You need do nothing else.. The system 'looks' through the camera at the top of your screen and is supposed to give the best lighting for the conditions..

Originally Posted by F30AM

Do I also have to click the stalk on high beam (blue light on dash)?

No.. In fact, if you do, this can (I think) switch the system off and you need to switch it on again..

It's OK if you 'flash the lights' but don't click them "on" to hi..

[Apl440i or 335d?]

WOW. I had no idea about this!

Does the F30 not have xenon and not LED's though?

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Apl335d

WOW. I had no idea about this!

Does the F30 not have xenon and not LED's though?

The F30 has xenons if you have the visibility pack or ordered them separately. I think the adaptive/high beam assist comes with the visibility pack.

No-one mentioned LEDs?

[Apl440i or 335d?]

Originally Posted by dopper99

The F30 has xenons if you have the visibility pack or ordered them separately. I think the adaptive/high beam assist comes with the visibility pack.

No-one mentioned LEDs?

The video does.

I have adaptive light package, so happy days.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Apl335d

The video does.

Ha, I didn't listen to the sound, been a while since I watched/listened to it!

[Pablo68]

To the op, I just press the bottom left stalk button to get the green A symbol on the dash in and they do their thing, but I drive mostly in B roads so see it a lot. I have seen them work in street lighting but not so much/obvious. As mentioned above overtaking on an unlit dual carriageway is one of the best places to see them dance.... Especially watch the nearside one as you overtake.

[HiBee]

Agree with all of the above.
You only see them doing their thing, mainly when there is no street lighting.

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by dopper99

The F30 has xenons if you have the visibility pack or ordered them separately. I think the adaptive/high beam assist comes with the visibility pack.

No-one mentioned LEDs?

I have the visibility pack on my new 335d. FYI, The main and full beam are Xenons, the side & DRL's are LED...

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by BMWSKI

I have the visibility pack on my new 335d. FYI, The main and full beam are Xenons, the side & DRL's are LED...

Arr, yes good point!! Thanks for that.

It says on BMWs website:

Xenon headlights for low and high beam, with automatic headlight range control and headlight washing system, LED accent lights provide much better illumination of the road ahead at night or in poor visibility. The four illuminated corona rings are used as daytime driving and side lights.

[BMWSKI]

No problem

[Waitey]

Still makes me giggle when I read people use these under street lights....

[Pablo68]

Originally Posted by Waitey

Still makes me giggle when I read people use these under street lights....

It's not really a case of using them under street lights more a case of just leaving it on "Active" for me. I'm in the habit now of pressing the Active button as a part of my start up procedure when it's dark so they can just do their thing whenever.