Adaptive Headlight system
 

Hey all,

I have a 2008 X5 4.8 and I thought it comes with the adaptive headlight system. In my 2004 645cic it was obvious that when I turned the steering wheel that the headlights would turn inthe direction Iturned to illuminate the curve better. It was very noticeable even in the safety mirror as I entered my garage at work.

However with my new X5 the headlights do not seem to move. I only see one of the fog lights illuminate in the direction that I am turning at slow speeds.

Am I missing something here?

P.S. the headlight switch is set on Automatic

cheers,

R

try it with the high beams and start driving.... does not move much when stopped but is noticeable on curvy roads... i don't think low beams move a lot... but high beams do...

Well, the highbeams are the same bulb as the low beams, its just that a shutter is removed to reveal the full beam.

Try some windy unlit roads at night (with caution). They should work fine.

I can very distinctly tell when the lights move...the smallest turn or movement of the wheel makes the lights move slightly in that direction (even when stopped)....you may want to go to your dealer...

I see no movement, I will go to the dealer...I think something is not right. Is your headlight switch on automatic?

Mine are so bloody obvious. just turn all the way left or right in front of a wall and see it move

The adaptive headlights on the X5 is more subtle than my A3's because the beam pattern is not distinct. I can see better with the X5's headlights because there's more coverage, and the "adaptiveness" is not as distracting. When I first got the A3, I would sometimes drive erratically because I wanted to see the beam pattern move.

I think you also need to have the light switch at the auto position. If its moved to the far right the adaptive feature is deactivated.

Lights move with the wheel. Easy to see on mine. You might have an issue.

Um.

if you cant see it move go to the dealer. another easy test is to pull up infront of a wall and turn the wheel., I can see mine move very much.

hmmm, I only see my fog lights turn on in the direction I turn but not the headlights too... lights set to auto.

I'd like to know if there's a way to disable the foglight-turn-assist (cause I don't like how only 1 stays on after parked and idle) but leave all the other auto-features on. I like the other auto features with the low beam coming on after detecting darkness. Never have to touch it.

just straighten your wheel or turn on the fog lights!

btw, I think a lot of people are mistaking the fog-light assist for the low beams turning with the wheel. Have you guys actually witnessed the low beam lights shift like the fogs do?

I believe the cornering lights only come on when you signal with the indicator stalk. So just go around some neighborhood or curvy backroads at night. Simple test. Either that, or tape some black paper over the foglights :rofl:

No, they come on whenever you turn the wheel.
I've noticed at a certain speed, when the wheel is straight, and you turn the turn signal on, the corresponding cornering light comes on.
BTW, it is more obvious at low speeds around town than on the single, dark, windy road we have here for me. No need to go to a curvy road.

RH71: I witness the low beams turn every single day. It is blatantly obvious. Are you sure yours work?

this may be dumb to say...but

when you guys have the knob on the [Automatic] mode...you sure it's dark enough for the low beams to go on? ...just a thought...

I get extra lighting when I turn - that does work. I'm just questioning how it's blatantly obvious it's the low beams when the fog lights are the ones that indeed turn on and aim as you turn. How is it blatantly obvious to you that it's the low beams and not the fog lights (which do that when set on auto)... that's what I'm wondering. It can be both (is it?) but it seems few of you are even acknowledging the fog lights spot-on during turns. So I'm confused as to what you guys are saying - is it one or is it both?

EDIT>> According to the manual, it is both the headlamps & the fog lamps as long as you're < 45mph. Turning at speeds above that, the fog lamps do not assist.

Ok. Go into your garage, drive out, close the garage door ( I assume it's dark) and shine your lights against the door. Turn the wheel, and you can easily see the cutoff line and the beam against the wall turn. If you have somebody else do it, you can even see the actual light pivot. After you turn the wheel x amount, you can see a yellowish (compared to the blue-ish lowbeam) begin to slowly come on....and then it will be full power, lighting the area below and to the side of the low beams. It basically illuminates the ditch of a road.
:thumbup:

My low beams turn, but it's very subtle compared to the E93

Are you sure thats not the fog light coming on?

That's what I meant. it is the foglight. After the low beam moves "x" amount, the yellowish foglight slowly comes on. The low beam continues to turn. I'll take a video when I get the chance.

Hi Kustjag,

check out the following page...

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...iaGallery.aspx

watch the movie 'Sport Package X5". At the end of the movie, there is an explanation of the 'Adaptive light with corner light'

Maybe it helps you to know, your system works correct or not. In US the Adaptive light is Standard, unfortunately not in Germany. We have to pay roughly 700 US$ for that feature.

Good night

Andy

Adaptive headlights do not work unless they you have them set to auto(To the left). Another thing, adpative headlights to not move to the left when you are stopped. This is to prevent blinding oncomming traffic when you are waiting to turn. I have adpative headlights on my 545 and x5 and you will know when they are on. If you cannot tell I would take it to the dealer.

My left tail light assembly did not work (completely dark)when i took delivery of my car and was later told the it was not programed to work...... So the adaptive lights may not be programed to work.

Isnt the adaptive lights just turning on the foglights at the bottom?

Adaptive lighting aims the headlights in the direction that you are turning, which helps light up the road around bends. The BMW system is much more subtle than the one on my Audi A3 (don't really notice the headlight beams moving), but the beam pattern/coverage is better on the X5. Try turning your steering wheel left/right quickly. Also, the beam sweeps a greater angle at higher speeds.

Yes, I realize that by turning just a little bit of the steering wheel, the light shines on the part of the road in the direction we turn our steering wheel, but I thought it was the foglight that was being turned on. So the real lights turn?

Yes. The difference is more apparent when you drive a car without adaptive lighting.

The video link that was posted does show the low beams moving slightly at the same time the fogs do (a lot more).

fyi: the fog lights do NOT move at all... they are simply built with reflectors that direct a lot of light to the sides... and if you are driving without the fog lights on and you turn on a blinker (fully) or turn the wheel at certain angles, that side fog light will come on.... but it does not actually move or rotate.