11-14-2011, 09:50 PM | #1 |
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[DYI] [US x3 35i] My second mod: Euro headlight switch (rear fog lights enabled)
So I just finished my second mod. (My first mod can be found here).
I started with a usual headlight switch, which had no rear fog light button, that I REALLY, REALLY had to have. So, in order to remove the piece of trim, place your finger on the inside, close to the steering wheel, and apply some firm pressure. The trim will pop off fairly quickly. Then remove the piece of the trim with the switch: Empty hole will gaze at ya: Unsnap the cable and remove the trim piece. Use a Torx screwdriver to remove four screws from the US switch. I think it was T20, or smaller, I know T25 was too big. Side by side comparison: Assemble it, and you get this on your dash: And voila: Rear fogs in action: And the dash board little light switching action: Done! Comments welcome! Mod history: 1. [DYI] [US x3 35i] My first mod: Euro side mirrors (aspherical) 2. [DYI] [US x3 35i] My second mod: Euro headlight switch (rear fog lights enabled) 3. [DYI] [US x3 35i] My third mod: BMW Performance glossy black grilles (kidneys) Last edited by dandanio; 10-22-2012 at 10:34 AM.. |
11-15-2011, 05:08 AM | #2 |
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Spiffy. As a gadget fiend it drives me nuts that we don't get the rear fog lights here . . . not that we get much fog in Virginia. How much did that set you back? Guessing this is again a result of your contact with access to European parts, so must of us here in the States can only look on with envy?
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11-15-2011, 07:01 AM | #3 |
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I did not know rear fogs were not required in the US. a regulation in Euroland for many years - maybe 20 by now. The trouble is I don't rate them as they are 'over used.' They have a safety function only on motorways and when traffic is moving at different speeds. If you have ever followed anyone with these lights on for more than 5 minutes you'll know what I mean. They are heavy on the eye, and sometimes hard to see if the car is braking.
Can we have a 'how too' mod for sat nav pro, xenon/LED, auto box, memory seats and 35D engine please? |
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11-15-2011, 07:55 AM | #4 |
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i had the rear fogs on my e90..i turn them on during rain, snow or went it was foggy
where did u get the switch? |
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11-15-2011, 02:49 PM | #6 |
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11-15-2011, 03:02 PM | #7 | |
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Good job Dandanio
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11-15-2011, 03:39 PM | #8 |
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I'm I correct then in assuming that we in the states already have the lights themselves in place? We just need to switch them? I could use this, we have a lot of fog here in San Diego.
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11-15-2011, 03:41 PM | #9 |
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11-15-2011, 03:52 PM | #10 |
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there were some threads on one of the other BMW model line forums (probably e90 but i don't recall for sure) on how to do this there. on the e90 you can pull the switch apart, remove a plastic cover and put it back in. On the F25 its apparently a separate switch part as shown in the orig. post by dandanio.
So - 2 things, one of those forums I read a few months ago mentioned that rear fog lights are illegal in some places in the US - so if you do this mod you might to be aware of that when you turn them on. that being said, where can I find the rear foglight switch in module the US ?
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11-15-2011, 03:59 PM | #11 |
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11-15-2011, 04:09 PM | #12 |
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I'm not surprised. not really a big deal, would be cool though
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11-16-2011, 09:47 AM | #14 |
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11-16-2011, 08:20 PM | #17 |
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It's weird that we don't get the rear fogs here on our BMWs. Audi and Mercedes both give you the entirely "buttoned out" lighting switchpanel, even Mercedes offers the side parking light switch (though I'm not sure what purpose they serve). Anyone know why BMW does this?
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11-16-2011, 09:14 PM | #18 | |
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Reason No. 2: BMW believes American drivers aren't "bright"* enough to remember to turn off the fog light when it's not needed. I've seen more than one Audi driving around in perfectly clear weather with a rear fog light on. the driver probably has no idea of what the illuminated dash icon means. *bad pun intended |
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11-17-2011, 05:27 AM | #19 |
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I've seen the errant fog light thing around here almost daily.
We have the side parking option built in to the signal stalk. Turn the car off and hold it two seconds toward the side you want illuminated. (If this is what you were referring to.)
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11-17-2011, 06:21 AM | #20 |
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In the e90, we have two-stage brake lights. If the brake pedal isn't pushed really quickly (i.e. the time it takes for you to pull your foot off the gas and push on the brake), only the first stage lights and the brakes aren't as bright. If the brakes are hit very quickly, both stages are lit and they are very bright. The rear fog switch just lights up the first stage all the time.
It was a very simple install with the switch as shown above. I purchased my switch from Tischner BMW. I'm going to contact them to see if they can start carrying this for the X3. I might be the same switch in the new 3 so it'd be worth while. Yes, you are correct, BMW doesn't think the US drivers know how to use rear fog lights. I have a tendancy to agree with them by all the SUV drivers I see driving around all the time with their foglights on.
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11-17-2011, 08:43 AM | #22 | |
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Get a lower wattage bulb.
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