The erratic behaviour of the auto headlights mode has been discussed here several times.

I was trying to forget about this issue, but in the past week I drove two vastly inferior cars (a Renault Laguna and a Citroen C5).

Guess what, they both have the auto headlights mode working flawlessly.

I even took the Renault in and out of my office garage several times (doing this drives the lights of my E61 crazy). They correctly switched on and off 100% of the times.

The french automakers must have an edge in this highly advanced technology

I really don't understand BMW's on this issue. If the sensor is crap, just do a recall to replace it. They seem to have the stupid attitude of thinking the problem will go away by ignoring it.

Ok, feel much better now

Cheers.

 

I don't think the sensor is faulty. The sensor outputs a signal or signals based on the ambient light it detects. It's the software that chooses when and what to do based on the information received from the sensor.

In other words, the sensor is working but the software is crap.

Having said that, I don't know why this would frustrate you so much. What's the big deal about automatic headlights anyway? Just drive the car and when it gets dark -- turn them on...

 

At the end of the day you're right Rudy, just use the headlight switch manually - end of the problem. That's what I, and probably the fellow members with the same problem, do.

My frustration lies more in the fact that BMW seems unable (or not willing) to solve what appears to be a non issue for all other automakers. And that's not a good sign.

Yeah I know, they have more important things to do first. They say the same regarding the infamous mp3 functionality. A non issue for the majority of the competition.

Do you see a trend yet ?

Cheers.

 

I have no problem. My lights are ALWAYS ON.

Maybe one day they might turn off. OK, the days are not bright sunshine lately. But I'm still surprised that they're on all the time.

 

Well, I agree that the auto headlights are not working as perfect as you would expect from a luxury sedan in this price range. But I have noticed that others (Audi and M seem to have the same problem - well, at least over here in Germany. I see so many with the lights on in sunlight, or even the lights coming on in the sun, just as mine.
I agree that it is a software problem, but it seems to be a problem on high end cars, not a BMW problem.
There are other problems that are BMW spec... MP3 is one of them...

 

I don't think the lights are BMW. I think Lexus, BMW, Mercedes all use the same lights/sensors from one of the major lighting manufacturers.

 

I was driving today....

Auto Headlights turned on at 3:45 PM Eastern. And NO.... I wasn't in a tunnel.

I know it's daylight savings time and all..... but DAMN.


I have three words.... summed up by the following... WTF???

 

Daylight saving ???

Forgot to change back about 6/7 weeks ago?

 

With all due respect, why do you care?

Does it seem like its wasting power?

Xenon lights last for almost ever, so that's not an issue... so why do you need the lights off?

 

Mine work fine (MY05). They come on in the garage which seems like a waste (5-10 sec delay would probably be fine). I touch the switch only to see what things look like with a reflective surface (maybe 2 times in the first 2 months of ownership)

Maybe I just don't notice but they seem to be off when then should be. If they were to turn on at 3:45 pm EST this time of year, that would probably be 30 minutes too early - what is the big deal?