Do your headlights come on with your auto wipers?

[bmwrocks]

For those with the auto wiper feature, do your lowbeams come on a time after the wipers come on?

Mine don't do this as far as I know. I remember reading about it some time ago on here in a long list that someone posted listing all the cool features of our cars. I tried to test it, but I remember it didn't work, at least the time I tested it.

I read yesterday in the "Technology" booklet that came in my manual pack that this is supposed to happen. Paraphrasing it says something like "after some auto-sweeps the lowbeams will come on if the light switch is set to auto....to help with visibility in inclement weather"

I have not seen this happen yet. Of course it is dry as a bone here, hasn't rained for many weeks and no rain in the forecast for the next week, so I can't test it.

Anyone ever tested this?

I guess I could test it next time I wash the car using the hose-end sprayer to simulate rain......hmmmmmm.

 

[mscoins]

I haven't noticed it either - would be interesting to know if its true or not - Virginia state law requires headlights to be on if the windshield wipers are working.

 

[aNoodle]

It's a new feature. Mine done't come on with the auto sensing w/s wipers.

 

[archang3l378]

I guess I could test it next time I wash the car using the hose-end sprayer to simulate rain......hmmmmmm.

I was just about to suggest that.

 

[archang3l378]

Wow 3 posts each within mere seconds of each other

 

[olcrazy1]

I remember reading that yes they do.
I guess the reasoning is that if it is raining then you should probubly have your headlights on for safety.

I do believe they do come on anytime wiper sensor picks up rain.
You do have to have your lights on "Auto"

 

[MrElussive]

I know it doesn't help anyone out here (or maybe it does, which is why I'm posting it), but on our ML500 if you have the lights set on Auto and the rain-sensing windshield wipers set on Auto, the lights do come on with the wipers. It is also state law in NJ that you have to have your headlights on during rain and snow.

Who here leaves their headlights on the auto setting? Personally, I only use it at night, but during the day, I keep my headlights at the off position. The lights turn on when I turn the car on in my garagea nd that is just stupid. And when I'm driving to or from school, the lights turn on from the overpasses on the Cross Bronx Expressway or at the EZ Pass tollbooths. Mad annoying...I don't like to use my lights for no reason, and when I have my lights on, my gauges get dim, which is annoying (and even more annoying to reach under and term the dimmer up all the time).

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Mine doesn't do it either, interestingly they come on for all kinds of whacky reasons and stay on when on the auto setting..... Maybe that means somethings not right, but I already have enough things to add to the list of complaints as it is.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

interesting i will try this with my car

 

[MrElussive]

Mine doesn't do it either, interestingly they come on for all kinds of whacky reasons and stay on when on the auto setting..... Maybe that means somethings not right, but I already have enough things to add to the list of complaints as it is.

Overpasses, short bridges, etc. will make the headlights turn on. The sensor is extremely quick to respond to darkness. Even the stupid EZPass tolls (how they connect above all the cars) make my lights turn on.

 

[aNoodle]

I know it doesn't help anyone out here (or maybe it does, which is why I'm posting it), but on our ML500 if you have the lights set on Auto and the rain-sensing windshield wipers set on Auto, the lights do come on with the wipers. It is also state law in NJ that you have to have your headlights on during rain and snow.

Who here leaves their headlights on the auto setting? Personally, I only use it at night, but during the day, I keep my headlights at the off position. The lights turn on when I turn the car on in my garagea nd that is just stupid. And when I'm driving to or from school, the lights turn on from the overpasses on the Cross Bronx Expressway or at the EZ Pass tollbooths. Mad annoying...I don't like to use my lights for no reason, and when I have my lights on, my gauges get dim, which is annoying (and even more annoying to reach under and term the dimmer up all the time).

It seems like they could correct that pretty easily. There already is a light sensor on the inside of the car (or at least mine does...that little white dot next the light switch). It seems like they should have the dash lights dim only based on that sensor and not have it tied to the headlights, which might come on or off in tunnels, etc.

Anyone at BMW reading these posts?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Overpasses, short bridges, etc. will make the headlights turn on. The sensor is extremely quick to respond to darkness. Even the stupid EZPass tolls (how they connect above all the cars) make my lights turn on.

Thats exactly what it does, only does yours stay on after the sunlight comes back out...... sometimes mine does.

 

[TheBry]

I have the auto headlight and auto wiper features but can't confirm the lights come on with the auto wipers. I was just in some rain a week ago. The sky got really dark, then my auto headlamps turned on. It started raining shortly after that and the wipers kicked in. Wish it had been in reverse order so I could have tested this ;-)

Also, I have no problem whatsoever with my auto headlights. They are extremely sensitive both ways -- they switch on right away in tunnels, then switch off immediately when I reach the other side. Frankly I think it's sortof cool. If you don't like the way yours works you can have your dealer adjust the sensitivity. I think mine's in the sweet spot so I'm not altering a thing.

 

[k3nny]

hmm...i decided to give this a test once....if anyone knows im wrong, pls correct me..

i started the car...the wipers were already in auto mode(intermittent)...and i took e garden hose and sprayed away.

Nope, the wipers didnt come on.
apparently u haf to activate the sensor everytime u start yr car by adjusting sensitivity or spraying yr screen once.

then the wipers worked as desired but the headlights didnt come on...

im puzzled..


how do u guys keep your wiper sensor on after u turn off the car?

i mean it makes no point to have a sensor sense e rain if i have to activate the sensor everytime it starts to rain anyways

 

[TheBry]

hmm...i decided to give this a test once....if anyone knows im wrong, pls correct me..

i started the car...the wipers were already in auto mode(intermittent)...and i took e garden hose and sprayed away.

Nope, the wipers didnt come on.
apparently u haf to activate the sensor everytime u start yr car by adjusting sensitivity or spraying yr screen once.

then the wipers worked as desired but the headlights didnt come on...

im puzzled..


how do u guys keep your wiper sensor on after u turn off the car?

i mean it makes no point to have a sensor sense e rain if i have to activate the sensor everytime it starts to rain anyways

The car has to be moving for the wipers to activate (I think).

 

[MyHarley]

You have to turn the auto wipers on every time you start the car, because you would not want the wipers to automatically start in a car wash if the car wash has those long rags......hmmmm would get tangled up in the wipers and there would go your wipers......

 

[Maxer]

My headlights do come on when in auto-mode, but not if its really bright out, at least that's the way it seems to work.

For example, it was heavy overcast and raining a couple of days ago, and the headlights came on with the wipers. Today it was light rain, but bright out, and no headlights.

 

[TheBry]

So that means your headlights are doing the right thing... regardless of whether it's raining or not. They should automatically come on when the ambient light drops to a point where extra light is necessary.

 

[MrElussive]

Thats exactly what it does, only does yours stay on after the sunlight comes back out...... sometimes mine does.

I believe mine stay on, but I never give it a chance to find out. I HATE it when people drive around with their lights on during a bright sunny day. It makes no sense at all and it just wastes your lights...I have seen a 5-series on several occasions with its lights on during the day, but one xenon bulb is out. When one Xenon bulb has burned out for a 2001+ model year vehicle, I think it's time to stop driving around with your lights on all the time like an idiot (my point being that Xenon bulbs last for very long long long time and shouldn't burn out until 5+ years later under regular use).

My dad is one of those jackasses who drives with his lights on all the day. And my dad taught my mom and my uncle to drive the same way. Every time I complain him about it, he's all like, "It's the safest thing to do!! You should ALWAYS drive with your lights on." I can understand it if it's a dark or cloudy day and you wanna turn your lights on for better visibility from far away, but I highly doubt that a driver will have trouble seeing a car (a pretty large object) on the road on a sunny day.

 

[Millreef]

Up here it's an irrelevant argument - daytime running lights are a requirement - and, quite frankly, it's OK with me. They've been required for around 15 years...and it looks very odd when you see a car without them.