left foglight quirk - XBimmers

greg2step · 01-06-2012, 02:23 PM

so twice this week i've noticed my left foglight was on with the lights for no reason - the foglight switch was off

I usually leave my regular light switch turned to the right in Auto mode and let it come on when its dark enough based on the sensors. works fine - twice now though the left fog light has come on - turning main light switch off and back to auto seems to fix it -

not sure whats causing this - anyone else ever see this? def a minor quirk, not sure i would make a special dealer visit for this, but i will have it looked at when something more comes up.

and FYI i have NOT done the mod to a European variant light switch to enable the rears. tempting, but i want this resolved first for obvious reasons.

colson79 · 01-06-2012, 02:42 PM

This is by design. It will turn on when the vehicle is not moving. If you start driving it will go off. They also turn on when turning, if you don't have them turned on. I will look for the page number but it is in the manual. It has to do with the adaptive headlights.

TSM330i · 01-06-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg2step

so twice this week i've noticed my left foglight was on with the lights for no reason - the foglight switch was off

I usually leave my regular light switch turned to the right in Auto mode and let it come on when its dark enough based on the sensors. works fine - twice now though the left fog light has come on - turning main light switch off and back to auto seems to fix it -

not sure whats causing this - anyone else ever see this? def a minor quirk, not sure i would make a special dealer visit for this, but i will have it looked at when something more comes up.

and FYI i have NOT done the mod to a European variant light switch to enable the rears. tempting, but i want this resolved first for obvious reasons.

I noticed the same thing happened to my wife's X3 when we were driving it a few weeks ago. I could see the reflection of the lights in the pickup truck in front of us. I had the foglights off, but the left (driver side) was still on. I turned them on and off and the left one stayed on the entire time.
Shut the car off and restarted it and no more issues.

Weird!

greg2step · 01-06-2012, 02:48 PM

thanks colson79 - i will rtfm when i get a chance both times i noticed it was stopped at a red light, hadn't been driving long, and saw the reflection off the car in front of me....

E92LNGCGY · 01-06-2012, 02:48 PM

When does it happen? When you are turning or going straight? If it's on when it turns it's adaptive headlights at work. If it's on when you are going straight I'm not sure what's wrong.

greg2step · 01-06-2012, 02:49 PM

do most of you keep the main light switch turned left to the Auto mode all the time like I do? I did on my 328xi as well

greg2step · 01-06-2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

When does it happen? When you are turning or going straight? If it's on when it turns it's adaptive headlights at work. If it's on when you are going straight I'm not sure what's wrong.

not sure the first time - the 2nd time was at a red light a few cars back, the road curves right b4 the light, its likely the wheel was turned

cheesebag · 01-06-2012, 02:54 PM

the fogs come on when turning into a corner if you have adaptive lights, apparently to improve visibility as you drive into the turn. My neighbour text me to say that he thought I had a light out already!

colson79 · 01-06-2012, 03:04 PM

It's on page 82 of the owners manual. If you have the adaptive lights when you turn the fog light on the side you are turning into will come on, I.E. if you are turning left the left light comes on and if turning right, the right side fog light comes on. According to the manual whey you are not moving the headlights will turn to the passenger side of the X3 to avoid blinding on coming traffic. When the lights turn the fog light comes on. I have tested this and as soon as you start driving forward again the light will go out.

E92LNGCGY · 01-06-2012, 04:27 PM

Come to think of it, the chances of burnt out light is much greater compared to non-adaptive headlights.

xDrive35i · 01-06-2012, 06:22 PM

It happens for 15 seconds after the corresponding turn signal is activated, while the wheel is turned in the corresponding direction, and both fog lights turn on when reversing. It's an augmentation of BMW Adaptive Light Control, which includes automatic self-leveling and pivoting headlights (you do not need auto high beams for this). The "active" fog lights are called cornering lights.

greg2step · 01-06-2012, 10:20 PM

well the good news is that means i don't need to go in for service at all - at this point i'm about to hit 4000 miles (I apparently don't drive as far as some of you since its been almost 4 months) and the X3 is great!

The only issues i've had at all is the rough idle on startup when the weather is warm and AC on (that faded w/ winter, hoping for software update in the spring)

and I do have one creeking noise on the left side dash or A pillar - can't tell exactly where, in the front left corner of the dash. I am sure others on here have had this - for me its not a big deal - i will live w/ it over having the car taken apart looking for a noise (some of you may choose to pursue a service visit and thats cool too)

Feature of the week = heated steering wheel - now that the weather got cold in MD for a few days - so nice

(heated seats aren't new to me)

BTT 335i · 01-06-2012, 11:25 PM

The fog lights turn on too when you put the car in reverse

01-06-2012, 02:23 PM	#1
greg2step X3 Owner/Driver Drives: 2011 X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA Posts: 453 iTrader: (0)	left foglight quirk so twice this week i've noticed my left foglight was on with the lights for no reason - the foglight switch was off I usually leave my regular light switch turned to the right in Auto mode and let it come on when its dark enough based on the sensors. works fine - twice now though the left fog light has come on - turning main light switch off and back to auto seems to fix it - not sure whats causing this - anyone else ever see this? def a minor quirk, not sure i would make a special dealer visit for this, but i will have it looked at when something more comes up. and FYI i have NOT done the mod to a European variant light switch to enable the rears. tempting, but i want this resolved first for obvious reasons. __________________ 2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Alum Brush Trim l Packages = Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience \| Premuim Audio + Sirius 2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite l Gray Dakota Leather l Dark Burl Walnut \| Steptronic 6SP l Premium l Heated Seats [traded in for the X3 above]
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01-06-2012, 02:42 PM	#2
colson79 Private First Class Drives: 2012 X3 35i DSB Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 186 iTrader: (0)	This is by design. It will turn on when the vehicle is not moving. If you start driving it will go off. They also turn on when turning, if you don't have them turned on. I will look for the page number but it is in the manual. It has to do with the adaptive headlights. __________________ 2012 X3 35i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Oyster \| Packages \| Sports \| Cold Weather \| Cold Weather 2 \| Premium \| Technology \| Premium Sound

01-06-2012, 02:48 PM	#4
greg2step X3 Owner/Driver Drives: 2011 X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA Posts: 453 iTrader: (0)	thanks colson79 - i will rtfm when i get a chance both times i noticed it was stopped at a red light, hadn't been driving long, and saw the reflection off the car in front of me.... __________________ 2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Alum Brush Trim l Packages = Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience \| Premuim Audio + Sirius 2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite l Gray Dakota Leather l Dark Burl Walnut \| Steptronic 6SP l Premium l Heated Seats [traded in for the X3 above]

01-06-2012, 02:48 PM	#5
E92LNGCGY Captain Drives: E92/F25 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 676 iTrader: (0)	When does it happen? When you are turning or going straight? If it's on when it turns it's adaptive headlights at work. If it's on when you are going straight I'm not sure what's wrong. __________________ Looking to buy or sell property in Alberta? Drop me a line to see what I can do for you. Urban Realty - Leslie Ng - 403-807-6248 or leslieng168@gmail.com

01-06-2012, 02:49 PM	#6
greg2step X3 Owner/Driver Drives: 2011 X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA Posts: 453 iTrader: (0)	do most of you keep the main light switch turned left to the Auto mode all the time like I do? I did on my 328xi as well __________________ 2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Alum Brush Trim l Packages = Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience \| Premuim Audio + Sirius 2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite l Gray Dakota Leather l Dark Burl Walnut \| Steptronic 6SP l Premium l Heated Seats [traded in for the X3 above]

01-06-2012, 02:54 PM	#8
cheesebag Debadged and Alpine Weiss! Drives: 2012 F25 X3 Msport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cannock UK Posts: 221 iTrader: (0)	the fogs come on when turning into a corner if you have adaptive lights, apparently to improve visibility as you drive into the turn. My neighbour text me to say that he thought I had a light out already!

01-06-2012, 03:04 PM	#9
colson79 Private First Class Drives: 2012 X3 35i DSB Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 186 iTrader: (0)	It's on page 82 of the owners manual. If you have the adaptive lights when you turn the fog light on the side you are turning into will come on, I.E. if you are turning left the left light comes on and if turning right, the right side fog light comes on. According to the manual whey you are not moving the headlights will turn to the passenger side of the X3 to avoid blinding on coming traffic. When the lights turn the fog light comes on. I have tested this and as soon as you start driving forward again the light will go out. __________________ 2012 X3 35i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Oyster \| Packages \| Sports \| Cold Weather \| Cold Weather 2 \| Premium \| Technology \| Premium Sound

01-06-2012, 04:27 PM	#10
E92LNGCGY Captain Drives: E92/F25 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 676 iTrader: (0)	Come to think of it, the chances of burnt out light is much greater compared to non-adaptive headlights. __________________ Looking to buy or sell property in Alberta? Drop me a line to see what I can do for you. Urban Realty - Leslie Ng - 403-807-6248 or leslieng168@gmail.com

01-06-2012, 06:22 PM	#11
xDrive35i Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,503 iTrader: (0)	It happens for 15 seconds after the corresponding turn signal is activated, while the wheel is turned in the corresponding direction, and both fog lights turn on when reversing. It's an augmentation of BMW Adaptive Light Control, which includes automatic self-leveling and pivoting headlights (you do not need auto high beams for this). The "active" fog lights are called cornering lights. __________________ 2001 Audi A6 Allroad 2.7T (C5); 2005 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (C6); 2005 BMW X5 4.4i (E53); 2008 BMW 535xi Sports Wagon (E61); 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i (F25); 2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro Prestige (B8)

01-06-2012, 10:20 PM	#12
greg2step X3 Owner/Driver Drives: 2011 X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA Posts: 453 iTrader: (0)	well the good news is that means i don't need to go in for service at all - at this point i'm about to hit 4000 miles (I apparently don't drive as far as some of you since its been almost 4 months) and the X3 is great! The only issues i've had at all is the rough idle on startup when the weather is warm and AC on (that faded w/ winter, hoping for software update in the spring) and I do have one creeking noise on the left side dash or A pillar - can't tell exactly where, in the front left corner of the dash. I am sure others on here have had this - for me its not a big deal - i will live w/ it over having the car taken apart looking for a noise (some of you may choose to pursue a service visit and thats cool too) Feature of the week = heated steering wheel - now that the weather got cold in MD for a few days - so nice (heated seats aren't new to me) __________________ 2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Alum Brush Trim l Packages = Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience \| Premuim Audio + Sirius 2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite l Gray Dakota Leather l Dark Burl Walnut \| Steptronic 6SP l Premium l Heated Seats [traded in for the X3 above]

01-06-2012, 11:25 PM	#13
BTT 335i X5 M Sport F30 M Sport Drives: X5 M Sport-F30 M Sport Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 272 iTrader: (3)	The fog lights turn on too when you put the car in reverse __________________ BMW E46 2000 - Lexus RX 350 2005 - BMW E60 2006 - BMW E92 2008 - BMW F25 2011(sold) BMW F30 2012 - Mineral Grey 335i. BMW E70 2013 - M Sport Black Sappihire Metallic

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