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.

I have an 04 facelift.

The adaptive headlights work only in the "A" position.

When the switch is moved to "A", the green light illuminates, and you will see the beam move noticeably when moving the steering wheel (pass side mostly, the travel to driver's side is limited to avoid blinding oncoming traffic).

The green light will flash on and off if you switch it to "A" and there is any fault in the system.

Some early facelifts, like mine, didn't were not equipped with the dynamic xenon. Meaning that it wont turn left or right, if you look at the headlight, one of the rings around the xenon lamp will say Dynamic if you have it. If it doesn't say anything, then they will only move up and down. If they don't, then you could check your headlight level sensor attached to the passenger side control arm.

i have 2 headlight control dash switch parts.
I bought one because I thought I had a defective unit.
Neither control panel has a green light socket.

I have a February 2004 build date X5.
Did very early facelift series not have green bulbs?

Pre facelift does not have the green led on the light switch. Maybe you got those?

I just confirmed this too

I had no idea until this thread. I've tried seeing my beams move by turning the wheel before and saw nothing so I assumed they were broken :rofl:

It's actually really noticeable and pretty cool!

^wait till you try them on a twisty road at speed!

While your vehicle may be equipped with adaptive headlights, the "A" on the light switch is for Automatic Headlights, a commom BMW feature.

So if you have a switch that has an A selector AND a green light, then you have adaptive
headlights? If you have no green light, then no Apdative?

_______________________UPDATE___________________


I ran a vin decoder and it shows Xenon lights, but no adaptive function.

Therefor, no green light, makes sense now.

Wow another x5 lesson learned today...................