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EnglishControls -> Lamps for your BMW 3 Series 2006-2013
Lamps
Low beams
Parking lamps/low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is in position 3, the low beams
are switched on and off automatically depend-
ing on ambient light conditions, e.g. in a tunnel,
in twilight, or if there is precipitation. The adap-
tive light control* is active. The LED next to the
symbol is illuminated when the low beams are
on. You can also activate the daytime running
lights, refer to page 93. In the situations
described above, the lamps then automatically
switch from daytime running lights to low
beams.
0
Lamps off,
daytime running lights
1
2
3
Parking lamps and daytime running lights
Low-beam headlamps and welcome lamps
Automatic headlamp control*, daytime run-
ning lights, welcome lamps, high-beam
assistant* and adaptive light control*
The headlamps may also come on when the
sun is sitting low on a blue sky.
The low beams remain switched on
regardless of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps.<
When you open the driver's door with the igni-
tion switched off, the exterior lighting is auto-
matically switched off if the light switch is in
position 0, 2 or 3.
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determining when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the system
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on the
low-beam headlamps manually under these
conditions.<
Switch on the parking lamps if necessary,
switch position 1.
Parking lamps
In switch position 1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking.
When the ignition is switched off and the switch
is in position 1, only the outside sections of the
rear lamps are illuminated, refer to page 232.
Welcome lamps
If you leave the light switch in position 2 or 3
when you park the car, the parking lamps and
the interior lamps light up briefly when you
unlock the vehicle.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for
unduly long periods of time; otherwise, the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the
engine. It is preferable to switch on the left-
hand or right-hand roadside parking lamps,
refer to page 94.<
Activating/deactivating welcome
lamps
1. "Settings"
2. "Lighting"
92
3. "Welcome light"
Activating/deactivating daytime
running lights
1. "Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "Daytime running lamps"
Welcome lamps are activated and are
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after
switching off the ignition with the lamps
switched off, the low beams come on and
remain on for a certain time.
Daytime running lights are activated and
are stored for the remote control currently in
use.
Setting the duration or deactivating
1. "Settings"
Adaptive light control*
2. "Lighting"
The concept
3. "Pathway light.:"
Adaptive light control is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other parameters, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
4. Set a time of duration, or 0 s to deactivate
the function.
Activating Adaptive Light Control
With the ignition switched on, turn the light
switch to position 3, refer to page 92.
Standstill function*: to avoid blinding oncoming
traffic, the adaptive light control directs light
towards the front passenger side when the
vehicle is at a standstill.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Adaptive light control is not active when revers-
ing.
Daytime running lights
Malfunction
The daytime running lights light up in switch
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. Adaptive light control is
malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
positions 0, 1 and 3.
93
You can intervene at any time and switch the
high beams on and off as usual.
High beams/roadside parking
lamps
Activating the system
1. Turn the light switch to position 3, refer to
page 92.
2. With the low beams switched on, briefly
push the turn indicator lever in the direction
of the high beam.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high beams
are activated. The system automati-
1
2
3
High beams
cally switches from high beams to low beams
and vice versa in response to oncoming traffic,
traffic ahead of you, and adequate ambient
lighting, e.g. on city streets.
Headlamp flasher
Roadside parking lamps*
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
Switching the high beams on and off
manually
There is an additional option of switching on the
lamps on the side of the car facing the road
when parked.
Whenever you wish, or when the situation
requires, you can intervene:
>
If the high-beam assistant switches on the
high beams, but you would like to drive with
the low beams, simply switch off the high
beams using the turn indicator lever. This
deactivates the high-beam assistant.
To reactivate the system, briefly push the
turn indicator lever toward the high beams
again.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or
down beyond the pressure point for a longer
period, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for
unduly long periods of time; otherwise, the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the
engine.<
>
If the high-beam assistant switches on the
low beams, but you would like to drive with
the high beams, switch on the high beams
as usual. This deactivates the system and
the high beams need to be switched off
manually, if necessary.
Switching off
Press the lever in the opposite direction to the
pressure point, arrow 3.
To reactivate the system, briefly push the
turn indicator lever toward the high beams
again.
High-beam assistant*
>
Use the headlamp flasher as usual with the
low beams switched on.
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off. The procedure is controlled
by a sensor on the front of the interior rearview
mirror. The assistant ensures that the high
beams are switched on whenever the traffic sit-
uation allows. It handles this task for you and
gives you the benefit of the best possible view.
System limitations
The high-beam assistant cannot serve as
a substitute for the driver's personal judg-
ment of when to use the high beams. Therefore,
manually switch off the high beams in situations
where this is required to avoid a safety risk.<
94
The system is not fully functional in situations
such as the following, and driver intervention
may be necessary:
Fog lamps
>
In very unfavorable weather conditions,
such as fog or heavy precipitation
>
In detecting poorly-lit road users, such as
pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders and
wagons; when driving close to train or ship
traffic; and at animal crossings
>
>
In tight curves, on hilltops or in depressions,
in cross traffic or half-obscured oncoming
traffic on highways
The parking lamps or low beams must
be switched on for the fog lamps to
operate. The green indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up whenever the
fog lamps are on.
In poorly lit towns and cities and in the pres-
ence of highly reflective signs
>
>
At low speeds
When the windshield in front of the interior
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov-
ered with stickers, etc.
The fog lamps are switched off while you acti-
vate the headlamp flasher or switch on the high
beams.
>
If the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor on
the front of the interior rearview mirror using
a cloth moistened with a small amount of
glass cleaner.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Switching off via iDrive
1. "Settings"
Instrument lighting
You can adjust the brightness of the instrument
lighting only when the parking lamps or the low
beams are switched on.
2. "Lighting"
3. "High beam assistant"
The high-beam assistant is activated and is
stored for the remote control currently in use.
1. Push button 1 up or down repeatedly until
the appropriate symbol appears in the dis-
play, accompanied by the brightness set-
ting and scale the word "SET".
2. Press button 2.
95
Reading lamps
3. Push button 1 up or down to select the
desired brightness level.
There are reading lamps at the front and rear*,
next to the interior lamps. To switch on and off,
press the button.
4. Press button 2.
The display again shows the outside tem-
perature and the time.
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, the footwell lamps*, entry
lamps*, cargo area lamp and courtesy lamps*
are controlled automatically.
The LEDs for the courtesy lamps are set in the
door handles and illuminate the ground in front
of the doors.
To avoid draining the battery, all lamps
inside the car are switched off about
8 minutes after the ignition is switched off, refer
to Start/stop button on page 54.<
Switching interior lamps on/off
manually
Interior lamps, front and rear*:
To switch on and off, press the button.
To switch off the interior lamps, footwell
lamps*, entry lamps* and courtesy lamps* per-
manently, press the button for the front interior
lamps for about 3 seconds.
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