Adaptive Brake Lights

[TheBry]

On my drive home from work today traffic on I-280 (from San Jose to San Francisco) ground to a QUICK hault and I had to jam on my brakes to stop. I noticed the person behind me really took notice of my brake lights -- I'm thinking the adaptive "ring" around the normal brake lights must have illuminated since it was sortof a panic stop.

Does anyone have any images of what this looks like? If there's one thing for sure, it's that this board has a lot of industrious members. I'm hoping someone has images or even a video clip (or links to either) that will show me what these adaptive brake lights look like when they're illuminated. Do they flash on and off? Do they stay illuminated? Is the intensity brighter than the normal brake lights? I'm totally curious now -- especially since the driver behind me started checking out my brake lights.

If anyone can help me out with some real-world images or video that'd be great.

Thanks!

 

[MrElussive]

I know on the X5 that the brake lights just illuminate brighter as you step on the brakes harder. The new 7 also works this way but the inner lights also turn on during a panic stop.
The Coupes come with LED tail lights but I don't think you can adjust the intensity of LED's, so perhaps more lights illuminate as you brake harder (such as for a panic stop).

 

[drkeng]

I believe that additional LED's come on, either at the top and bottom or an outer ring. They stay on for a few seconds after you're stopped. I seem to remember seeing a picture on this forum or another and will look for it. You could just have someone watch you do a panic stop in some parking lot or something if you're really curious.

 

[bmwrocks]

Everyone is correct. There is an additional ring of LEDs surrounding the normal array of LEDs used for the tail lights/brake lights. If you look at your tail lights TheBry, you will see them. According to the literature I have read, these illuminate in addition to and brighter than, your normal brake lights in a panic stop situation (no flashing I don't think). I think they are triggered when the ABS system is triggered. The only pix I have seen is in the sales brochure I have.

Mr. Elussive, I have never heard of the X5 lights doing what you said. Where did you hear that?

 

[MrElussive]

The Z8 was the first BMW vehicle to receive the Adaptive Brake Lights. The X5 was the second BMW to receive the Adaptive Brake Lights. I'm pretty sure that the way it works is, as you step harder on the brakes, the lights illuminate brighter.
The whole Adaptive Brake Lights thing is so stupid anyways. Just give me some bright-ass LED tail/brake lights that are bright and easy to see in any condition (sunlight, night time, rain, fog, snow, etc.) and I'm a happy camper.

 

[codex57]

On the E46 3 series, there's an outer ring that lights up during a panic stop. I dunno how the other BMWs work, but that's how the E46 3 series works. Basically a different set of lights lights up which catches the attention of the person behind you in case they get too used to your normal brake lights (say during stop and go traffic). I'm thinking of adding the LED lights on my car, but no one's figured out a way to get the adaptive part to work retroactively. It'll just mean I have a ring that doesn't light up. No big deal.

 

[MrElussive]

Yeah, like I said, LED tail lights are good enough. My car comes with LED tail lights and LED brake lights and they are so damn bright, there's no misunderstanding when I step on the brakes.
I love LED tail lights/brake lights....they're super bright, very easy to read/see, and the lights last for maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad long.