tdgard,
Well said...that is the main reason I never leave the switch in "auto" mode.

You can have that automatically with the wide angel lights if you install an eLight module.

http://www.car-solution.de/en/BMW-X5....html?TreeId=9

Also other nice mods are possible with that - it is not cheap but a lot of fun.

Regards

So, tdgard, are you saying that when in downtown areas, where I do parking, or sometimes restart them, Even if not in Auto mode, I should turn my lights off to save them life?

Not sure about your situation, but I'll give you mine.

If I were to leave my house and drive into downtown Atlanta with the headlights in auto the lamps will cycle on/off no fewer than a dozen times even on a bright day. Mostly only for a few seconds while passing under a wide bridge or building. In that case its better to either leave them off or on for the entire trip.

My X3 is pretty good about preventing unnecessary on-off light cycles. However, I've found that the newer BMWs seem to have trouble with this- my mom's 2006 325i will fluctuate between on-off sometimes under overpasses, something my X3 manages to avoid even when stuck in traffic.


I absolutely believe in car parks (parking garages), that the headlights should be ON as otherwise it's difficult for pedestrians and other cars to see you. And it's important to remember that headlights help others see you, so it's not just a "I can see the road" kind of mentality.

I understand it perfectly now, Thanks.

thanks guys, this was great advice.
I'll use it only occasional then.

I guess we can close the thread now?