Auto headlights slow to switch off?

JJS · 06-19-2014, 04:44 AM

How long does it usually take for the auto headlights to turn off? Mine come on in an instant upon, say, entering a darkened tunnel, but take upwards of two minutes to turn off after emerging from said tunnel. Is it a simple matter of coding or SW update? I don't think there is an adjustable delay, or is there?

openwheelracing · 06-19-2014, 07:01 AM

Normal. It stays on for anoittle longer for safety reason.

335BOY · 06-19-2014, 08:33 AM

Why does that matter?

stormlv · 06-19-2014, 08:49 AM

It could also be a feature to reduce the strain on xenon lightbulbs where turning them on and off in a quick succession might reduce their life expectancy.

That said, I get the same behavior on my LED headlights as well...

carzaddict · 06-19-2014, 08:53 AM

its a combination of fuzzy logic and delay so that your headlights arent turning off and on constantly

andrew 330i · 06-19-2014, 08:56 AM

who do you activate them ... if your car has the option?

thanks

stormlv · 06-19-2014, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew 330i

who do you activate them ... if your car has the option?

thanks

Turn the lights knob all the way to the left. See here @ around 25sec into the video:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...e-8f1fbab4ea49

fecurtis · 06-19-2014, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew 330i

who do you activate them ... if your car has the option?

thanks

Turn the knob all the way to the left....under "A"...for "Automatic".

Blubaron79 · 06-19-2014, 10:26 AM

My complaint is it seems my lights on my F32 compared to my E92 take longer to turn on at dusk. I feel like I'm turning them on manually a lot.

pz619 · 06-19-2014, 11:19 AM

I also feel that it's too sensitive as far as the threshold of when to turn on the lights. Let's put it this way, if I have to wear sunglasses... the lights shouldn't be on.

JJS · 06-20-2014, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormlv

It could also be a feature to reduce the strain on xenon lightbulbs where turning them on and off in a quick succession might reduce their life expectancy.

That said, I get the same behavior on my LED headlights as well...

Makes sense. Good to know this is normal. Thanks for all the input.

carzaddict · 06-20-2014, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

My complaint is it seems my lights on my F32 compared to my E92 take longer to turn on at dusk. I feel like I'm turning them on manually a lot.

i cant remember but i THINK theres an option in the iDrive to adjust the sensativity

adhrp · 06-20-2014, 10:09 AM

Opposite of what the OP is concerned about, I think that my auto high beams switch on/off too often if cars appear frequently in the opposite lane. During such times I just switch it off out of concern that it will ruin the bulbs (I know that I should think that if BMW designed it that way then they know what they are doing, but still...). The high beam auto on/off lights are LEDs on the 2012 328i correct?

Fronzdan · 06-20-2014, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormlv

It could also be a feature to reduce the strain on xenon lightbulbs where turning them on and off in a quick succession might reduce their life expectancy.

This is absolutely true. Years ago I worked at a company that built some of the components that went into HID lighting systems and protecting them from this very thing. Frequent off/on = bad.

335BOY · 06-20-2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

This is absolutely true. Years ago I worked at a company that built some of the components that went into HID lighting systems and protecting them from this very thing. Frequent off/on = bad.

So flashing high beams is bad?

Fronzdan · 06-20-2014, 12:28 PM

Flashing them excessively, yes. Keep in mind that it's just long term wear that is increased if you do this.

335BOY · 06-20-2014, 01:02 PM

Long term wear like using electric windows and locks? Engine? Transmission?C'mon you guys.

andrew 330i · 06-22-2014, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335BOY

Long term wear like using electric windows and locks? Engine? Transmission? C'mon you guys.

~ they built the cars to be used...

joz · 06-22-2014, 12:00 PM

I find if I drive under a bridge and the lights get activated they stay on for a little while (likely to warm up and avoid the quick ON/OFF). It lasts probably around 30-60 seconds.

Not a big deal. Just leave it in auto and let it do its thing.

Austinformedude · 06-23-2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335BOY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

This is absolutely true. Years ago I worked at a company that built some of the components that went into HID lighting systems and protecting them from this very thing. Frequent off/on = bad.

So flashing high beams is bad?

If you have the HIDs flashing them will not shorten the bulb life at all. This Is because the HID bulbs are always at 100% and there is a shade that comes down to form the low beam. When you "flash" the HID or use the "high beams" you are just moving this shade, so has no impact on HID bulb longevity.

Fronzdan · 06-23-2014, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinformedude

If you have the HIDs flashing them will not shorten the bulb life at all. This Is because the HID bulbs are always at 100% and there is a shade that comes down to form the low beam. When you "flash" the HID or use the "high beams" you are just moving this shade, so has no impact on HID bulb longevity.

Cool!

Designed this way to avoid actually turning HIDs off and on rapidly.

Fronzdan · 06-23-2014, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335BOY

Long term wear like using electric windows and locks? Engine? Transmission?C'mon you guys.

Yep, just like that. I never said don't use your headlights like you normally would. But technically speaking, there is a degradation that occurs if you fire them up and power them off excessively and it is something that the designers work to avoid happening.

06-19-2014, 04:44 AM	#1
JJS Lieutenant 123 Rep 441 Posts Drives: BMW F31 335i 6MT M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Wellington, NZ iTrader: (0)	Auto headlights slow to switch off? How long does it usually take for the auto headlights to turn off? Mine come on in an instant upon, say, entering a darkened tunnel, but take upwards of two minutes to turn off after emerging from said tunnel. Is it a simple matter of coding or SW update? I don't think there is an adjustable delay, or is there? __________________ EBII 335i Touring M-Sport (Munich built July 2013) \| 6 Speed Manual \| 2VF Adaptive M Suspension \| 2VL Variable Sports Steering \| 403M wheels \| M-Sport brakes \| 688 Harman Kardon \| 494 Heated Seats \| 610 HUD \| 322 Comfort Access \| 5AC High-Beam Assist \| 609 Navigation Professional \|
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-19-2014, 07:01 AM	#2
openwheelracing Captain 192 Rep 814 Posts Drives: 5 different 3 Series Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA iTrader: (0)	Normal. It stays on for anoittle longer for safety reason.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2014, 08:33 AM	#3
335BOY Colonel 197 Rep 2,802 Posts Drives: 2017 SQ5 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Why does that matter?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2014, 08:49 AM	#4
stormlv Human 932 Rep 1,200 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Geneva iTrader: (1)	It could also be a feature to reduce the strain on xenon lightbulbs where turning them on and off in a quick succession might reduce their life expectancy. That said, I get the same behavior on my LED headlights as well... __________________ 2023 BMW M4 CP xDr \| 510HP / 650Nm \| Isle of Man Green \| Photo album Sold 2018 BMW M4 DCT / ZCP\| 450HP / 550Nm \| Sakhir Orange \| Photo album \| Tribute Sold 2014 BMW 435xd \| 360HP / 710Nm \| Estoril Blue \| Photo album 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35i DKG \| 306 HP / 400Nm \| Space Gray \| Photo album
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2014, 08:53 AM	#5
carzaddict Lieutenant Colonel 158 Rep 1,573 Posts Drives: 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	its a combination of fuzzy logic and delay so that your headlights arent turning off and on constantly __________________ 2015i Cadillac Escalade ESV
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2014, 08:56 AM	#6
andrew 330i it can never be too clean... 163 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2014 F31 M Sport Wagon Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: columbus, ohio iTrader: (1)	question... who do you activate them ... if your car has the option? thanks __________________ '14 328xi wagon / m sport / white / red leather kw v1 coilover kit / 19" staggered 351 M double spoke wheels / upper strut bar / sport line grille & exhaust tips / 50% tint / painted reflectors / debadged / complete clear bra
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2014, 10:26 AM	#9
Blubaron79 Brigadier General 1435 Rep 4,724 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	My complaint is it seems my lights on my F32 compared to my E92 take longer to turn on at dusk. I feel like I'm turning them on manually a lot. __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2014, 11:19 AM	#10
pz619 Brigadier General 3279 Rep 3,256 Posts Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla 3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	I also feel that it's too sensitive as far as the threshold of when to turn on the lights. Let's put it this way, if I have to wear sunglasses... the lights shouldn't be on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2014, 10:09 AM	#13
adhrp Lieutenant Colonel 1303 Rep 1,626 Posts Drives: 2020 M550i (G30)/2021 X3 (G02) Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Opposite of what the OP is concerned about, I think that my auto high beams switch on/off too often if cars appear frequently in the opposite lane. During such times I just switch it off out of concern that it will ruin the bulbs (I know that I should think that if BMW designed it that way then they know what they are doing, but still...). The high beam auto on/off lights are LEDs on the 2012 328i correct? __________________ 2020 M550i (G30) \| Carbon Black/Black Nappa \| DHP \| DAP \| Executive \| Luxury Seating \| Park Asst \| Ceramic Controls \| Front/Rear Heated Seats \| 20" 668M wheels 2021 X3 (G02) \| Dark Graphite Metallic/Cognac \| Premium \| DAP \| Front/Rear Heated Seats Sold/Retired: 2012 328i (F30)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2014, 12:28 PM	#16
Fronzdan Lieutenant Colonel 304 Rep 1,739 Posts Drives: '24 M240 xDrive Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Flashing them excessively, yes. Keep in mind that it's just long term wear that is increased if you do this.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2014, 01:02 PM	#17
335BOY Colonel 197 Rep 2,802 Posts Drives: 2017 SQ5 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Long term wear like using electric windows and locks? Engine? Transmission?C'mon you guys.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-22-2014, 12:00 PM	#19
joz First Lieutenant 85 Rep 306 Posts Drives: 2014 335xi Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: t.o iTrader: (0)	I find if I drive under a bridge and the lights get activated they stay on for a little while (likely to warm up and avoid the quick ON/OFF). It lasts probably around 30-60 seconds. Not a big deal. Just leave it in auto and let it do its thing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote