Rotating headlights not moving to left?

ft1330 · 02-19-2015, 03:41 PM

I have the option for the headlights to move left/right according to the steering. I don't remember what this is called.

I park in front of a wall every day, so I noticed that when I steer right, the headlights move to the right slightly. If I bring the steering back to the middle, you can see the headlights come back straight. But when I steer left, they don't go left. Thinking I had a problem, I took it to the dealership, but they said it was normal behavior, so as to not blind oncoming traffic when making a left turn

Did anyone know this, or are they pulling my leg?

Aaaaaaaaa · 02-19-2015, 03:46 PM

Dealership is correct. Exception is LED headlights. A small LED comes on to illuminate the left area when steering wheel is turned. See, LED package is worth it!

pmc123 · 02-19-2015, 03:51 PM

I had a 435i for 24 hours that had those lights. On this car, they definitely moved left. I noticed it pulling into a dark parking spot (left turn). Lit up the entire parking spot.

I was so fascinated by them, I got out and had my gf move the steering wheel back and forth. I saw them move left. I don't remember if they went as far left as right, but I think so. I mean they must have to completely illuminate an area roughly 90 degrees to the left of the car.

Also, they shine low, so there is no way they could blind on coming traffic (and your wheel wouldn't be cranked left in the face of an on-coming car).

My vote is they are full of $#17

pmc123 · 02-19-2015, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pheerix

Dealership is correct. Exception is LED headlights. A small LED comes on to illuminate the left area when steering wheel is turned. See, LED package is worth it!

Aren't the LED lights bundled with the rotating lights in the lighting package?

maa335iF30 · 02-19-2015, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ft1330

I have the option for the headlights to move left/right according to the steering. I don't remember what this is called.

I park in front of a wall every day, so I noticed that when I steer right, the headlights move to the right slightly. If I bring the steering back to the middle, you can see the headlights come back straight. But when I steer left, they don't go left. Thinking I had a problem, I took it to the dealership, but they said it was normal behavior, so as to not blind oncoming traffic when making a left turn

Did anyone know this, or are they pulling my leg?

Just tried this with my 2 week old F30. The movement to the left is not as pronounced as to the right. Make sure you're not too close to the wall, otherwise you won't notice.

So likely this is normal behavior. I do notice that my headlights need to be adjusted. The right one is slightly higher than the left.

COKen · 02-19-2015, 04:52 PM

When the car is not moving the lights won't turn to the left (left hand drive cars), but when the car is moving they should. This is to keep from blinding oncoming traffic when waiting to make a left turn.

Jet Driver · 02-19-2015, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COKen

When the car is not moving the lights won't turn to the left (left hand drive cars), but when the car is moving they should. This is to keep from blinding oncoming traffic when waiting to make a left turn.

+1

Jet Driver · 02-19-2015, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maa335iF30

I do notice that my headlights need to be adjusted. The right one is slightly higher than the left.

Headlights don't need to be adjusted- that's the way they come now. My F30, Toyota, and Mazda all do it. I think it's for the on-coming traffic again.

smithf80 · 02-19-2015, 05:12 PM

Pretty sure they don't move as much to the left when parked or really at all unless you are in drive.

Probably doesn't move to the left as much in general to prevent blinding oncoming traffic.

tturedraider · 02-19-2015, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COKen

When the car is not moving the lights won't turn to the left (left hand drive cars), but when the car is moving they should. This is to keep from blinding oncoming traffic when waiting to make a left turn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Driver

+1

Bingo.

maa335iF30 · 02-19-2015, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Driver

Quote:

Originally Posted by maa335iF30

I do notice that my headlights need to be adjusted. The right one is slightly higher than the left.

Headlights don't need to be adjusted- that's the way they come now. My F30, Toyota, and Mazda all do it. I think it's for the on-coming traffic again.

You guys are solving all my new car concerns....Thank you.

tturedraider · 02-19-2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maa335iF30

I do notice that my headlights need to be adjusted. The right one is slightly higher than the left.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Driver

Headlights don't need to be adjusted- that's the way they come now. My F30, Toyota, and Mazda all do it. I think it's for the on-coming traffic again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maa335iF30

You guys are solving all my new car concerns....Thank you.

Vehicle headlights have always been aimed like that.

Aaaaaaaaa · 02-19-2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COKen

When the car is not moving the lights won't turn to the left (left hand drive cars), but when the car is moving they should. This is to keep from blinding oncoming traffic when waiting to make a left turn.

Again LED package is the exception. If I turn my steering wheel there are LEDs that light up to the right and left accordingly even when the car is not moving.

Aaaaaaaaa · 02-19-2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmc123

Aren't the LED lights bundled with the rotating lights in the lighting package?

LED headlights are a separate package for 4 series. Not an option with F30s

ft1330 · 02-19-2015, 07:05 PM

I just tried it on the loaner X1 and I notice too that the left light doesn't move but the right one does. I only test this when parked since it would be hard to see when moving. So it does look like normal behavior...

Tx335i10 · 02-19-2015, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COKen

When the car is not moving the lights won't turn to the left (left hand drive cars), but when the car is moving they should. This is to keep from blinding oncoming traffic when waiting to make a left turn.

+1

Jet Driver · 02-19-2015, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Vehicle headlights have always been aimed like that.

You aren't very old, are you?

tturedraider · 02-19-2015, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Driver

You aren't very old, are you?

I'm not. I've only been driving and working on my own cars since 1978.

335i_4D · 02-20-2015, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COKen

When the car is not moving the lights won't turn to the left (left hand drive cars), but when the car is moving they should. This is to keep from blinding oncoming traffic when waiting to make a left turn.

Precisely, and this option's called Adaptive Headlight.

Curious to see if our fellow England (or Japan, or other parts of the world who drive the wrong way

) members have the exact opposite...

erroberts1 · 02-20-2015, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maa335iF30

Just tried this with my 2 week old F30. The movement to the left is not as pronounced as to the right. Make sure you're not too close to the wall, otherwise you won't notice.

So likely this is normal behavior. I do notice that my headlights need to be adjusted. The right one is slightly higher than the left.

Also for the same reason it does not tilt left as much as it does to the right.

02-19-2015, 03:41 PM	#1
ft1330 Major 231 Rep 1,267 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	Rotating headlights not moving to left? I have the option for the headlights to move left/right according to the steering. I don't remember what this is called. I park in front of a wall every day, so I noticed that when I steer right, the headlights move to the right slightly. If I bring the steering back to the middle, you can see the headlights come back straight. But when I steer left, they don't go left. Thinking I had a problem, I took it to the dealership, but they said it was normal behavior, so as to not blind oncoming traffic when making a left turn Did anyone know this, or are they pulling my leg?
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02-19-2015, 03:46 PM	#2
Aaaaaaaaa Banned 7559 Rep 5,056 Posts Drives: The other M3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Dealership is correct. Exception is LED headlights. A small LED comes on to illuminate the left area when steering wheel is turned. See, LED package is worth it!
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02-19-2015, 03:51 PM	#3
pmc123 Private First Class 26 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 2021 330i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	I had a 435i for 24 hours that had those lights. On this car, they definitely moved left. I noticed it pulling into a dark parking spot (left turn). Lit up the entire parking spot. I was so fascinated by them, I got out and had my gf move the steering wheel back and forth. I saw them move left. I don't remember if they went as far left as right, but I think so. I mean they must have to completely illuminate an area roughly 90 degrees to the left of the car. Also, they shine low, so there is no way they could blind on coming traffic (and your wheel wouldn't be cranked left in the face of an on-coming car). My vote is they are full of $#17
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02-19-2015, 04:52 PM	#6
COKen Lieutenant Colonel 981 Rep 1,560 Posts Drives: M Rster / Z4 M40i / X5 M50i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	When the car is not moving the lights won't turn to the left (left hand drive cars), but when the car is moving they should. This is to keep from blinding oncoming traffic when waiting to make a left turn. __________________ 2002 M Roadster, Steel Gray Metailic, Gray Nappa Leather, HT, TC Kline DA Shocks & Camber Plates, w/H&R Springs, Stromung Exhaust, SSR Type C. Looking for new home. 2022 Z4 M40i, Misano Blue Metallic, Driver Asst Pkg, Prem Pkg 2023 X5 M50i, Phytonic Blue, Black Extended Merion Leather, Driving Asst Pro Pkg, Park Asst Pkg, Exec Pkg, Climate Comfort Pkg.
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02-19-2015, 05:12 PM	#9
smithf80 Major General 2810 Rep 5,316 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G20 330i [9.00] 2018 F80 M3 [9.75]	Pretty sure they don't move as much to the left when parked or really at all unless you are in drive. Probably doesn't move to the left as much in general to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. __________________ Scott, Partner Insight Automotive Consulting Click HERE for all discounted BMW New Car Pricing Click HERE for all BMW In Stock Inventory Specials Call/Text: 516-416-5481 Email: scott@insightautoconsulting.com
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02-19-2015, 07:05 PM	#15
ft1330 Major 231 Rep 1,267 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	I just tried it on the loaner X1 and I notice too that the left light doesn't move but the right one does. I only test this when parked since it would be hard to see when moving. So it does look like normal behavior...
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