Adaptive headlights - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

TF30Z · 10-06-2012, 11:39 PM

I have the xenons but not sure if I have the adaptive headlights. How can I check?

Can't find the adaptive option when decoding the VIN.

justinnum1 · 10-06-2012, 11:48 PM

if you have xenons you have adaptive headlights

its hard to see them in action, unless its dark out, and you are at a stop sign make a turn, watch the beam on the street move left or right ever so slightly, it only turns 15 degrees, and thats if your steering wheel is turned as far as it goes.

Dabaitu · 10-07-2012, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinnum1

if you have xenons you have adaptive headlights

its hard to see them in action, unless its dark out, and you are at a stop sign make a turn, watch the beam on the street move left or right ever so slightly, it only turns 15 degrees, and thats if your steering wheel is turned as far as it goes.

Incorrect. For Australian order cars your headlights will be self-levelling but wont "look into" a bend in the road when you turn the steering wheel.

It's an additional option-

S524A ADAPTIVES KURVENLICHT Adaptive Headlights

that has to be selected.

Frogman · 10-07-2012, 12:12 AM

I can see the effect when I pull into my garage. They lights cylon back and forth as I turn the wheel.

Starting the car in the garage with lights in "A" mode, the lights turn on immediately because it's dark in the garage and you can see them auto-level themselves. Also very cool.

Seagull · 10-07-2012, 12:52 AM

At night, when the car is stopped, try turning the steering wheel. If the lights pivot as you turn the wheels then you have it.

Deano 328 · 10-07-2012, 02:37 AM

You can have Xenon's with out adaptive headlights. The adaptive headlights are an extra option.

a_k · 10-07-2012, 05:16 AM

If you drive during night and you are not sure if you have adaptive headlights then you probably don't. It is hard to miss the light show in front of the car (specially if you have auto high beam assistant). It constantly adjusts depending on speed, steering angle and light level.

Nero7 · 10-07-2012, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_k

If you drive during night and you are not sure if you have adaptive headlights then you probably don't. It is hard to miss the light show in front of the car (specially if you have auto high beam assistant). It constantly adjusts depending on speed, steering angle and light level.

Exactly, it's so cool to watch the adaptive lights do their work.

TF30Z · 10-07-2012, 05:58 AM

How does the auto-leveling system work?

justinnum1 · 10-07-2012, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

Incorrect. For Australian order cars your headlights will be self-levelling but wont "look into" a bend in the road when you turn the steering wheel.

It's an additional option-

S524A ADAPTIVES KURVENLICHT Adaptive Headlights

that has to be selected.

thanks for clarifying

midnight express · 10-07-2012, 09:24 AM

check to see if your fog lights turn on when you turn the wheel

clarence · 10-07-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tz235

How does the auto-leveling system work?

Ride heigh sensors on the front & rear axle send signals to the control unit to control the beam.

Frogman · 10-07-2012, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alechostig

check to see if your fog lights turn on when you turn the wheel

That too. If you have adapter lights, it's hard not to notice them.

fshubert · 10-07-2012, 09:44 AM

I've found the adaptive headlights to be a lifesaver. By me, we have miles of unlit windy roads and loads of animals that come out at night. The adaptive lights have saved me (and several animals) from having a very bad evening.

KT_F31_EBII · 04-13-2013, 09:05 PM

BMW UK has a link about Adaptive Headlight technology, wish i can see that little bulbs in action soon on my new F31 328i EBII

CoolDude196 · 04-14-2013, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktam32

BMW UK has a link about Adaptive Headlight technology, wish i can see that little bulbs in action soon on my new F31 328i EBII

I didn't realise this applied to xenon headlights, I assumed this was unique to LED Headlights?

inChargeOfIT · 04-14-2013, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolDude196

I didn't realise this applied to xenon headlights, I assumed this was unique to LED Headlights?

I have the xenons with adaptive light control and mine swivels into turns and auto levels, but I have never noticed it doing some of the cool stuff the video.

I know there is an automatic high beam option that I did not get, but I thought it only dimmed the high beams when it detected oncoming cars. I will kick myself if that $250 dollar option is what you get with the video. If so, I wonder if their is a retrofit option.

Awesome tech anyway.. hopefully it will become standard on all cars!

SergioK · 04-14-2013, 08:18 AM

Why does the adaptive light control ONLY work when set to A and not when you manually turn the headlights on?! I just don't get BMW engineers at times.

Elk · 04-14-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SergioK

Why does the adaptive light control ONLY work when set to A and not when you manually turn the headlights on?!

So that you have the opti0on to turn on the headlights and avoid adaptive headlight control.

CoolDude196 · 04-15-2013, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inChargeOfIT

I have the xenons with adaptive light control and mine swivels into turns and auto levels, but I have never noticed it doing some of the cool stuff the video.

I know there is an automatic high beam option that I did not get, but I thought it only dimmed the high beams when it detected oncoming cars. I will kick myself if that $250 dollar option is what you get with the video. If so, I wonder if their is a retrofit option.

Awesome tech anyway.. hopefully it will become standard on all cars!

that was my thought too

10-06-2012, 11:39 PM	#1
TF30Z Private First Class Drives: BMW 320D F30 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sydney Posts: 104 iTrader: (0)	Adaptive headlights I have the xenons but not sure if I have the adaptive headlights. How can I check? Can't find the adaptive option when decoding the VIN.
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10-06-2012, 11:48 PM	#2
justinnum1 Brigadier General Drives: 2013 335i Msport Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,793 iTrader: (0)	if you have xenons you have adaptive headlights its hard to see them in action, unless its dark out, and you are at a stop sign make a turn, watch the beam on the street move left or right ever so slightly, it only turns 15 degrees, and thats if your steering wheel is turned as far as it goes. __________________ F30 335i Msport Estoril Blue/Black leather sport auto. black grills, Performance Exhaust, HK,

10-07-2012, 12:52 AM	#5
Seagull Lieutenant Drives: f30 335i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 406 iTrader: (0)	At night, when the car is stopped, try turning the steering wheel. If the lights pivot as you turn the wheels then you have it. __________________ Current: F30 - 335i AT M-Sport Previous: E90 - 335xi MT, E90 - 330i MT, E46 - 330i MT

10-07-2012, 09:24 AM	#11
midnight express @bmwgram Drives: EBII F30 335i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South Florida Posts: 472 iTrader: (1)	check to see if your fog lights turn on when you turn the wheel __________________ Sold: 2012 F30 335i / 8AT / 1M Bumper / Slek Splitter / GT Haus exhaust / H&R springs / MORR Wheels Current: EBII F30 335i / 6MT / M-Sport Check out @bmwgram on instagram!

10-07-2012, 09:44 AM	#14
fshubert Second Lieutenant Drives: 2013 F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Andover, NJ Posts: 290 iTrader: (0)	I've found the adaptive headlights to be a lifesaver. By me, we have miles of unlit windy roads and loads of animals that come out at night. The adaptive lights have saved me (and several animals) from having a very bad evening. __________________ 2013 F30 335i \| Sportline \| Imperial Blue Metallic \| Black Dakota \| 6-speed \| HK \| Cold \| Premium \| 19" Staggered Sports \| M-Performance Exhaust Previous loves: 2009 E90 335i 2007 E90 328xi

10-07-2012, 12:12 AM	#4
Frogman Captain Drives: 2012 F30 328i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southern California Posts: 946 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW F30 328i [5.00]	I can see the effect when I pull into my garage. They lights cylon back and forth as I turn the wheel. Starting the car in the garage with lights in "A" mode, the lights turn on immediately because it's dark in the garage and you can see them auto-level themselves. Also very cool.

10-07-2012, 02:37 AM	#6
Deano 328 New Member Drives: F30 328i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	You can have Xenon's with out adaptive headlights. The adaptive headlights are an extra option.

10-07-2012, 05:16 AM	#7
a_k Private First Class Drives: F31 328i Join Date: May 2011 Location: EU Posts: 111 iTrader: (0)	If you drive during night and you are not sure if you have adaptive headlights then you probably don't. It is hard to miss the light show in front of the car (specially if you have auto high beam assistant). It constantly adjusts depending on speed, steering angle and light level.

10-07-2012, 05:58 AM	#9
TF30Z Private First Class Drives: BMW 320D F30 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sydney Posts: 104 iTrader: (0)	How does the auto-leveling system work?

04-13-2013, 09:05 PM	#15
KT_F31_EBII First Time Bimmer Drives: F31 328i M Sport Estoril Blue Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 96 iTrader: (0)	BMW UK has a link about Adaptive Headlight technology, wish i can see that little bulbs in action soon on my new F31 328i EBII

04-14-2013, 08:18 AM	#18
SergioK Enlisted Member Drives: F30 328i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: L.A. Posts: 47 iTrader: (0)	Why does the adaptive light control ONLY work when set to A and not when you manually turn the headlights on?! I just don't get BMW engineers at times.

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