BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-10-2020, 11:12 AM   #1
sys64738
Private
94
Rep
71
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3M
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Midwest

iTrader: (0)

Auto dimming dash w/tinted windows - any workaround?

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
So one of the first things I noticed on my X3M was the dash dims way too much during the day, and according to the main X3 forum, this is due to the "auto dimming" feature being confused by tinted windows.

Curious if anyone else is annoyed by this and if anyone has come up with a good workaround (other than removing the tint on the drivers side window, which really isn't that dark).

I've found the light sensor, which is in the lower left corner part of the main screen where the speedo/tach is. If I turn on my phone's flashlight and shine it at the sensor, the dash brightens right up to normal. Am wondering if this can be coded out, etc.
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2020, 11:42 AM   #2
AlexFL
Brigadier General
7833
Rep
4,607
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sys64738 View Post
So one of the first things I noticed on my X3M was the dash dims way too much during the day, and according to the main X3 forum, this is due to the "auto dimming" feature being confused by tinted windows.

Curious if anyone else is annoyed by this and if anyone has come up with a good workaround (other than removing the tint on the drivers side window, which really isn't that dark).

I've found the light sensor, which is in the lower left corner part of the main screen where the speedo/tach is. If I turn on my phone's flashlight and shine it at the sensor, the dash brightens right up to normal. Am wondering if this can be coded out, etc.
Yes, I am very annoyed by this. Please let me know if you find a solution. r33_RGSport , can one code this away?
Appreciate 1
r33_RGSport12801.50
      08-10-2020, 11:51 AM   #3
r33_RGSport
General
r33_RGSport's Avatar
United_States
12802
Rep
18,627
Posts

Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: So. Cal

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by sys64738 View Post
So one of the first things I noticed on my X3M was the dash dims way too much during the day, and according to the main X3 forum, this is due to the "auto dimming" feature being confused by tinted windows.

Curious if anyone else is annoyed by this and if anyone has come up with a good workaround (other than removing the tint on the drivers side window, which really isn't that dark).

I've found the light sensor, which is in the lower left corner part of the main screen where the speedo/tach is. If I turn on my phone's flashlight and shine it at the sensor, the dash brightens right up to normal. Am wondering if this can be coded out, etc.
Yes, I am very annoyed by this. Please let me know if you find a solution. r33_RGSport , can one code this away?
I tried. But couldn't really tell the difference.
__________________
Email:sales@rgsport.com | IG:RGSport_USA | Web:RGSportShop.com
March SALES!! Evolution Racewerks - Until 04/01 | PM for DEALS
MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri
Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2020, 12:19 PM   #4
Carmicro
Second Lieutenant
Carmicro's Avatar
168
Rep
200
Posts

Drives: T
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Uk

iTrader: (0)

I hardly even look at the dash. HUD worked perfectly for me.
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2020, 01:21 PM   #5
MarkWithAnM
Enlisted Member
MarkWithAnM's Avatar
United_States
99
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

You can code this to stop happening on the iDrive display. The environmental controls will still dim but you can at least have a brighter iDrive display. Change DIM_VARIANT to old and it will change the brightness option to allow you to control the iDrive brightness all the time instead of just when it's dark. I used Bimmer Code to do this but you have to do it in expert mode to find the option.
Appreciate 4
      08-10-2020, 06:13 PM   #6
r33_RGSport
General
r33_RGSport's Avatar
United_States
12802
Rep
18,627
Posts

Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: So. Cal

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkWithAnM View Post
You can code this to stop happening on the iDrive display. The environmental controls will still dim but you can at least have a brighter iDrive display. Change DIM_VARIANT to old and it will change the brightness option to allow you to control the iDrive brightness all the time instead of just when it's dark. I used Bimmer Code to do this but you have to do it in expert mode to find the option.
I did that, but I didn't notice much difference.
Maybe just me not paying attention on the changes, lol.
__________________
Email:sales@rgsport.com | IG:RGSport_USA | Web:RGSportShop.com
March SALES!! Evolution Racewerks - Until 04/01 | PM for DEALS
MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri
Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2020, 10:08 PM   #7
beammeupscottie
Major
beammeupscottie's Avatar
No_Country
1060
Rep
1,159
Posts

Drives: 2024 X5 Comp BGM / Sahkir
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I got used to it. But I did notice as soon as I got my windows tinted.
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2020, 10:18 PM   #8
AlexFL
Brigadier General
7833
Rep
4,607
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

I’ll probably install an LED next to the light sensor lol
Appreciate 2
      08-10-2020, 11:17 PM   #9
MarkWithAnM
Enlisted Member
MarkWithAnM's Avatar
United_States
99
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

This is the co trip display brightness option after setting DIM_VARIANT to Old. Before this I think it just says something like brightness at night or something like that. If I remember right, I had to set this change a couple of times before it took.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 1
r33_RGSport12801.50
      08-10-2020, 11:20 PM   #10
r33_RGSport
General
r33_RGSport's Avatar
United_States
12802
Rep
18,627
Posts

Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: So. Cal

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkWithAnM View Post
This is the co trip display brightness option after setting DIM_VARIANT to Old. Before this I think it just says something like brightness at night or something like that. If I remember right, I had to set this change a couple of times before it took.
Yes, I did that.
But I believe it still dim out of control with the tint.
__________________
Email:sales@rgsport.com | IG:RGSport_USA | Web:RGSportShop.com
March SALES!! Evolution Racewerks - Until 04/01 | PM for DEALS
MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri
Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
Appreciate 0
      08-10-2020, 11:23 PM   #11
MarkWithAnM
Enlisted Member
MarkWithAnM's Avatar
United_States
99
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Strange it fixed it for me. So you don't see the menu change in my picture?
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 12:18 AM   #12
r33_RGSport
General
r33_RGSport's Avatar
United_States
12802
Rep
18,627
Posts

Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: So. Cal

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkWithAnM View Post
Strange it fixed it for me. So you don't see the menu change in my picture?
I see the menu, but it still dim like before.
Especially when the sun is direct head-on.

It just change the name, but the photocell behavior still the same.
__________________
Email:sales@rgsport.com | IG:RGSport_USA | Web:RGSportShop.com
March SALES!! Evolution Racewerks - Until 04/01 | PM for DEALS
MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri
Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 12:24 AM   #13
MarkWithAnM
Enlisted Member
MarkWithAnM's Avatar
United_States
99
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Hmmm, maybe this mod only works on slow non-modded cars! If I remember there was some posts I found around the internet on this topic and I think others might have had the same issue. Let me see if I can find them and I'll post the links.
Appreciate 1
r33_RGSport12801.50
      08-11-2020, 12:43 AM   #14
ckrieg
Private First Class
Canada
49
Rep
141
Posts

Drives: X3M Comp
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: BC, Canada

iTrader: (1)

Damn, I just discovered this today after getting my windows tinted. I was so confused why my backup camera was so dark. Bummer
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 02:13 AM   #15
MarkWithAnM
Enlisted Member
MarkWithAnM's Avatar
United_States
99
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: BMW X3M
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Really is poor design by BMW. Especially with such a common upgrade like window tint. Hopefully this is permanently corrected down the road with a software upgrade but until then coding is the best option.
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 09:20 AM   #16
sys64738
Private
94
Rep
71
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3M
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Midwest

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
I’ll probably install an LED next to the light sensor lol
Yes! That was my first thought also

https://www.amazon.com/BUTTON-LAMP-A...dp/B0721NYMJN/

Silly BMW overthinking things.. just let us use the old-fashioned wheel to adjust brightness to our liking.

Speaking of bad design decisions, am I the only one that thinks them NOT using the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel for volume control was a bone-headed decision also?
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 09:39 AM   #17
robopp
Major
robopp's Avatar
1640
Rep
1,338
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3MC
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by sys64738 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
I'll probably install an LED next to the light sensor lol
Yes! That was my first thought also

https://www.amazon.com/BUTTON-LAMP-A...dp/B0721NYMJN/

Silly BMW overthinking things.. just let us use the old-fashioned wheel to adjust brightness to our liking.

Speaking of bad design decisions, am I the only one that thinks them NOT using the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel for volume control was a bone-headed decision also?
Yes! This drives me nuts! My Audi had a track prev and next and volume adjust on the steering wheel. I miss that functionality.
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 10:29 AM   #18
Macanakey
Private First Class
139
Rep
192
Posts

Drives: BMW X3MC, X5M, 911Turbo & GTS
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: North FL, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sys64738 View Post
Speaking of bad design decisions, am I the only one that thinks them NOT using the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel for volume control was a bone-headed decision also?
+1. My previous cars had a the scroll wheel for volume control. It took a few days of using the stupid buttons to not accidentally activate the voice control. I've just taken to using the radio knob to adjust the volume. I find that the +/- buttons don't allow me to adjust my volume quite as finely as I'd like to.
__________________
2021 Cayenne GTS * 2021 AMG GLE 63
2019 911 Targa 4 GTS, Carrara White Metallic
2008 911 Turbo Cab, Speed Yellow
1997 911 Targa, Zenith Blue
2017 GT3-RS Lava Orange (LEGO)
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 11:07 AM   #19
sys64738
Private
94
Rep
71
Posts

Drives: 2020 X3M
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Midwest

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Macanakey View Post
+1. My previous cars had a the scroll wheel for volume control. It took a few days of using the stupid buttons to not accidentally activate the voice control. I've just taken to using the radio knob to adjust the volume. I find that the +/- buttons don't allow me to adjust my volume quite as finely as I'd like to.
Totally agree. You would think that the scroll wheel could be configurable via software. I mean, cars these days are just one big computer after all. As one other post mentioned, Audi got it right in this regard -- the right scroll wheel controls volume, and there are also left/right buttons inset within the same area, making it super intuitive to do multiple things.
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 11:33 AM   #20
AlexFL
Brigadier General
7833
Rep
4,607
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Macanakey View Post
+1. My previous cars had a the scroll wheel for volume control. It took a few days of using the stupid buttons to not accidentally activate the voice control. I've just taken to using the radio knob to adjust the volume. I find that the +/- buttons don't allow me to adjust my volume quite as finely as I'd like to.
The gesture thing for volume control works quite well
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 11:54 AM   #21
Max Well
Colonel
Max Well's Avatar
4691
Rep
2,511
Posts

Drives: '22 BG X3MC, '20 BSM X3MC
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Southeast USA

iTrader: (0)

For those interested, here's a link to the G01 Forum discussion of this issue, started by our very own SWOT1

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1473182
Appreciate 0
      08-11-2020, 02:19 PM   #22
ckrieg
Private First Class
Canada
49
Rep
141
Posts

Drives: X3M Comp
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: BC, Canada

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexFL View Post
The gesture thing for volume control works quite well
Do you have MY21? I thought that was an iDrive 7 thing...
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:03 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST