Adaptive headlights 101
 

Currently enjoying my 2004 BMW X5 4.4 engine.
I know I have xenon bulbs because I just changed them out.
What I don't know is do I have adaptive headlights?
I don't see the lights really follow the steering.
I don't see any dipping of the headlights when i turn them on.

I did see small motors inside the housing when I swapped out the bulbs.
If I in fact do have adaptive lights, what is supposed to happen?

With adaptive lights in the US, they turn somewhat as you turn the steering wheel, and they raise and lower as you go over hills. If they are working!

Ok,
I looked on this forum and read that 2004 model year didn't include
adaptive headlights.
Anyone else confirm this?

Pretty sure that the adaptive headlight feature would be called on the VIN decoder spec sheet for features and options of the X5 E53.

easiest way to tell, is to look at your headlight switch. Do you have an A setting (turn switch to left from an off position)? If so then its in Adaptive setting.
Also, when switch is in A setting, a small green light is illuminated.

Interesting. The A position on my X5 is for automatic headlights where the sensor determines the activation of the headlamps (No adaptive functionality here). Of course mine is a 2003 4.6is. I realize that Adaptive headlights came on the later model E53s but was not aware that this function was integrated on the switch per say. So if the switch your showing is for adaptive setting does it also automatically turn on the headlights with the adaptive function? Maybe there are some regional activation differences also from market to market.

in Canada, if we have the headlight switch to A, the HID's come on, not the low powered high beam H1 bulb like in other countries.
foolish for us to be wasting the HID lights during daylight, so I just put the light switch to off. I'm used to it from my e46 (pre-facelift) days anyhow.

The "A" is for automatic, not adaptive. As in, they turn on automatically when it's dark, so you don't have to manually turn the switch.

Was included the Premium Package.

yes you are correct, sorry,
So for cars with NON-Adaptive, yet Automatic setting, does the green light by the A selection exist?

I have the A variety headlight switch.
Where does the "green light" illuminate?
I have not seen that.