auto light / fog lamp question
 

I just purchased a 2008 X5 3.0si. I noticed sometimes the fog lights are on, when the light is on auto mode. I could not turn off the fog light in auto mode on few occassions. One time, I saw only 1 fog lamp on while my wife was turning into the garage. Is this some kind of "active" head / fog lamp feature? Or this is not normal.

On my 545i, I always leave it on auto mode for light. The fog light never comes on.

This is part of the Adaptive Lighting system which only works when lights on auto.

You can disable the adaptive lighting option in idrive. Turn that option off and it won't bother you anymore.

Hmm I haven't seen this option in idrive...

I think he means that u can disable it from the same light controller on the left of the steering wheel :) by turning it to off mode. (it will be on when its on auto mode)

btw I used to have 2004 645 which has a adaptive light (on/off) option in the iDrive
thanx

The fog light will turn on depending on which side you turn the steeringwheel (when the headlights are on also). This is part of the cornering feature. So if you pull up to a parking spot or your garage with the steering wheel turned to one side, you will notice the fog light is also illuminated on that side.

When headlights are on...a foglight will turn on when you put your turn signal on either right or left.

This is part of the Adaptive headlight option. ONE fog light will go on in the same direction of your turn when your steering wheel is past half turn (so point 0 on the wheel circle goes past 180 degree) or if turn signal is turned on provided you are driving under 45 MPH, that will help illuminate your turn path to about 9 o'clock if you are turning left and about 3 o'clock if turning right, looking from the driver seat out.

The fog light will not go automaticaly on, unless you pressed the push on botton by mistake (it is very easy to do so when you put the light knob in A position for Automatic (that is one click from position 0). For more info read 2008 X5 manual page 102 left upper corner.

Ok. I have a better idea of adaptive headlight / fog light functions now. I do not think there is a iDrive menu to disable the option (at least not in US model). Thank you.

Today i was playing with the idrive and i think there are some settings under tyre/vihecle so i will look into it and tell you. Also i read something in the manual about enabling and disabling....

perhaps you're referring to DRLs (daylight running lights) which keep the highbeams on during driving at half the intensity.

I thought the OP was talking about the 'High-Beam Assist' feature, which aids the driver at night by automatically switching from high to low beam for oncoming traffic or when street lighting is sufficient.

That would be on a 90's model Cadillac :p

this feature isn't available for the E70 yet

Not in NA. Its one of many options that BMW doesn't bother to ship over. Heck, you could get High Beam Assist on a E90 a couple years ago.