I RTFM

jimbethesda · 07-18-2007, 04:50 PM

I downloaded the .pdf version of the e90 335i manual from Owner's Circle so I can search for things. I was looking at the Automatic headlamp control (page 97 - 98). It gives the following iDrive instructions:

You can program how sensitively the system reacts to ambient light.
1. Press the button. This opens the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the menu.
3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the controller.
5. Select "Lighting" and press the controller.
6. Select "Auto. headlamps" and press the controller.
7. Select a menu item:
"Sensitive"
"Normal"
"Slower"

In my 6/1/07 build date 335i, I don't have an "Auto. headlamps" option listed. I then looked in the physical owner's manual they gave me at the dealer, and it doesn't mention this feature.

WTF? Does anyone have this feature? Anyone know the history behind it?

jmonier · 07-18-2007, 05:47 PM

The feature was apparently removed starting with March production. The manual on Owner's Circle is for pre-March production. My 3/7/07 production E92 335 does not have it and the printed manual that came with the car makes no mention of it. If you check your printed manual I think you'll find out that it's not mentioned there either.

LEDZEP · 07-18-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmonier

The feature was apparently removed starting with March production. The manual on Owner's Circle is for pre-March production. My 3/7/07 production E92 335 does not have it and the printed manual that came with the car makes no mention of it. If you check your printed manual I think you'll find out that it's not mentioned there either.

+1

Correct. I looked for this feature after I got my March '07 built E90 and it is no longer there.

jimbethesda · 07-18-2007, 06:30 PM

I wonder why? Maybe it was "vaporware" and never really worked? Those that have it, can you detect a difference between settings?

drwtsn32 · 07-18-2007, 08:46 PM

What, so March 2007 and later cars do not have automatic headlights? Or is it just that you can no longer adjust the sensitivity?

jimbethesda · 07-18-2007, 08:48 PM

No longer adjust the sensitivity. Still have automatic headlights.

stewie · 07-19-2007, 07:58 AM

Is this something the dealership can reprogram?

I'd like to adjust the sensitivity of mine, as they go on every time I pull into my garage, for the 3 seconds it takes before I shut the car off. I'm worried about all the on/off cycles prematurely wearing the bulbs.

Maestro · 07-19-2007, 08:13 AM

Mine is Oct 07 production and it does not do it either. I am about ready to take mine into service to have this adjusted since my light go on and off when I go down tree line street which happen to have lots of shade. So people coming at me think I am flashing my lights at them.

jimbethesda · 07-19-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maestro

Mine is Oct 07 production

Wow, a car from the future! Cool. Does it have this in it:

Bimmer335i07 · 07-19-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbethesda

Wow, a car from the future! Cool. Does it have this in it:

EDK99 · 07-19-2007, 10:32 AM

Mine is a 9/06 build and I have that option still even after a software upgrade to 25.x something a few months ago. Think I have it set at Normal or whatever the default is. Haven't played with it so can't say if it reacts differently to different settings.

Ed

Revlis · 07-19-2007, 11:14 AM

I have that option and it seems to work pretty well. Allows me to delay how quick the lights fire up, IE underpasses and such no longer trip them.

bartman32 · 07-19-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

I have that option and it seems to work pretty well. Allows me to delay how quick the lights fire up, IE underpasses and such no longer trip them.

I adjusted mine once because it was coming on a lot but that was a long time ago. Now I've just left it. It does still go on and off in the garage but then if it didn't it probably wouldn't under bridges and stuff either so I leave it.

jimbethesda · 07-19-2007, 12:53 PM

Wow, so it sounds like it was a working feature that they took away. That's weird. I wonder why?

Russellnyc · 07-19-2007, 01:14 PM

I have it and you're not missing much. It doesn't really give you much control. I love fiddly settings like this and this one disappointed me.

flipmde786 · 07-19-2007, 06:29 PM

I just leave it on "0" during the day (by the way, I use DRL)...I know, defeating the purpose of auto lights but I hate that they turn on in underpasses and whatnot, and I figure I can use my head enough to turn on the lights when I need them. And I don't have iDrive anyway.

My parents E320 is a lot better...if it's sunny it doesn't turn on the lights until after a prolonged period. However it also seems to be smart in that if its really sunny and you suddenly go into a dark underpass (like you when you go into a dark area after being in bright sunlight and you don't see anything) they turn on immediately.

Oh well.

Maestro · 07-23-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbethesda

Wow, a car from the future! Cool. Does it have this in it:

That is ok, I originally had 08 before I editted it...

so it Oct 06...

Cabby · 07-23-2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewie

Is this something the dealership can reprogram?

I'd like to adjust the sensitivity of mine, as they go on every time I pull into my garage, for the 3 seconds it takes before I shut the car off. I'm worried about all the on/off cycles prematurely wearing the bulbs.

Wow, what has the world come to...

Better leave the sunroof open all the time and crawl in that way. Your door hinges may prematurely wear out if you open the door everytime you get in the car.

stewie · 07-23-2007, 04:05 PM

That's right, Cabby.

Of course, doors are meant to be opened and closed, but the lights aren't necessarily meant to be flicked on and off rapidly multiple times a day. Not to mention that xenons are expensive to replace... it's not just a $5 bulb.

Cabby · 07-23-2007, 04:26 PM

Why use the automatic lights option at all if he is so worried about it?

alistair · 07-23-2007, 04:37 PM

Aren't the xenons covered under warranty if they burn out anyway?

07-18-2007, 04:50 PM	#1
jimbethesda Colonel 1856 Rep 2,303 Posts Drives: M3 (F80) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	I RTFM - feature missing? I downloaded the .pdf version of the e90 335i manual from Owner's Circle so I can search for things. I was looking at the Automatic headlamp control (page 97 - 98). It gives the following iDrive instructions: You can program how sensitively the system reacts to ambient light. 1. Press the button. This opens the start menu. 2. Press the controller to open the menu. 3. Select "Settings" and press the controller. 4. Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the controller. 5. Select "Lighting" and press the controller. 6. Select "Auto. headlamps" and press the controller. 7. Select a menu item: "Sensitive" "Normal" "Slower" In my 6/1/07 build date 335i, I don't have an "Auto. headlamps" option listed. I then looked in the physical owner's manual they gave me at the dealer, and it doesn't mention this feature. WTF? Does anyone have this feature? Anyone know the history behind it? __________________ 2001 330Ci (sold) 2007 335i (sold) 2008 E90 M3 (sold) 2015 M3 (sold) 2022 G83
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07-18-2007, 05:47 PM	#2
jmonier Captain 11 Rep 812 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E92, 2002 325i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (0)	The feature was apparently removed starting with March production. The manual on Owner's Circle is for pre-March production. My 3/7/07 production E92 335 does not have it and the printed manual that came with the car makes no mention of it. If you check your printed manual I think you'll find out that it's not mentioned there either.
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07-18-2007, 06:30 PM	#4
jimbethesda Colonel 1856 Rep 2,303 Posts Drives: M3 (F80) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	I wonder why? Maybe it was "vaporware" and never really worked? Those that have it, can you detect a difference between settings? __________________ 2001 330Ci (sold) 2007 335i (sold) 2008 E90 M3 (sold) 2015 M3 (sold) 2022 G83
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07-18-2007, 08:46 PM	#5
drwtsn32 Lieutenant 7 Rep 499 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 435xi, 2016 MB GLA250 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tri-Cities, WA iTrader: (0)	What, so March 2007 and later cars do not have automatic headlights? Or is it just that you can no longer adjust the sensitivity?
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07-18-2007, 08:48 PM	#6
jimbethesda Colonel 1856 Rep 2,303 Posts Drives: M3 (F80) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	No longer adjust the sensitivity. Still have automatic headlights. __________________ 2001 330Ci (sold) 2007 335i (sold) 2008 E90 M3 (sold) 2015 M3 (sold) 2022 G83
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07-19-2007, 07:58 AM	#7
stewie Private First Class 2 Rep 143 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fingerin, Djibouti iTrader: (0)	Is this something the dealership can reprogram? I'd like to adjust the sensitivity of mine, as they go on every time I pull into my garage, for the 3 seconds it takes before I shut the car off. I'm worried about all the on/off cycles prematurely wearing the bulbs.
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07-19-2007, 08:13 AM	#8
Maestro Major 1013 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan, 2021 X3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Mine is Oct 07 production and it does not do it either. I am about ready to take mine into service to have this adjusted since my light go on and off when I go down tree line street which happen to have lots of shade. So people coming at me think I am flashing my lights at them.
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07-19-2007, 10:32 AM	#11
EDK99 Captain 33 Rep 934 Posts Drives: 07 E85 M Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Mine is a 9/06 build and I have that option still even after a software upgrade to 25.x something a few months ago. Think I have it set at Normal or whatever the default is. Haven't played with it so can't say if it reacts differently to different settings. Ed __________________ 2007 e85 Imola Red \| Black Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Premium \| Navigation \| Heated Seats
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07-19-2007, 11:14 AM	#12
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	I have that option and it seems to work pretty well. Allows me to delay how quick the lights fire up, IE underpasses and such no longer trip them. __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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07-19-2007, 12:53 PM	#14
jimbethesda Colonel 1856 Rep 2,303 Posts Drives: M3 (F80) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	Wow, so it sounds like it was a working feature that they took away. That's weird. I wonder why? __________________ 2001 330Ci (sold) 2007 335i (sold) 2008 E90 M3 (sold) 2015 M3 (sold) 2022 G83
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07-19-2007, 01:14 PM	#15
Russellnyc Razor sharp handling 23 Rep 619 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I have it and you're not missing much. It doesn't really give you much control. I love fiddly settings like this and this one disappointed me. __________________ 1997 E36 328is Arctic Silver: 1997-2003 100k Mi. SOLD 2000 Audi TT Quattro Coupe Lake Silver: 2003-present 35k Mi. SOLD 2006 Lotus Elise Polar Blue/Red 2007 E92 335i Spacegrau/Coral/Al \| ZSP/ZPP/ZCW/CA/PDC/NAV Broken in
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07-19-2007, 06:29 PM	#16
flipmde786 Lieutenant 25 Rep 513 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	I just leave it on "0" during the day (by the way, I use DRL)...I know, defeating the purpose of auto lights but I hate that they turn on in underpasses and whatnot, and I figure I can use my head enough to turn on the lights when I need them. And I don't have iDrive anyway. My parents E320 is a lot better...if it's sunny it doesn't turn on the lights until after a prolonged period. However it also seems to be smart in that if its really sunny and you suddenly go into a dark underpass (like you when you go into a dark area after being in bright sunlight and you don't see anything) they turn on immediately. Oh well. __________________ 2006 330xi [TiAg] [Black Leather] [Aluminum] [STEP] [ZPP] [ZSP] [ZCW] [CA] [35% tint] [Blacklines] [OEM Strut Bar] [OEM Spoiler]
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07-23-2007, 04:05 PM	#19
stewie Private First Class 2 Rep 143 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fingerin, Djibouti iTrader: (0)	That's right, Cabby. Of course, doors are meant to be opened and closed, but the lights aren't necessarily meant to be flicked on and off rapidly multiple times a day. Not to mention that xenons are expensive to replace... it's not just a $5 bulb.
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07-23-2007, 04:26 PM	#20
Cabby Captain 340 Rep 632 Posts Drives: 2019 X740i Join Date: May 2007 Location: JAX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M340xi [0.00] 2019 BMW X7 [0.00]	Why use the automatic lights option at all if he is so worried about it?
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07-23-2007, 04:37 PM	#21
alistair First Lieutenant 18 Rep 386 Posts Drives: 2013 X5 ///M Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: WA, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X5///M [0.00]	Aren't the xenons covered under warranty if they burn out anyway?
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