Headlights

[dpnguyen]

I have an '03 325i with 4 Headlights. The two outward ones are Bi-xenons. The two inward ones look like standard headlights. Seeing as how my Xenons are used for low-beams and high-beams, I've never seen the two inward ones go on. Does anyone know what these are used for and when they go on? Are they back-ups in case the Xenons go belly up while driving?

For those with Xenons from around 4-5 years ago, are your Xenons still running strong. What's the life expectancy on these?

 

[Silva]

Those are the DRL's, and used when you flash someone by pulling inward on the blinker stalk. BMW was smart to design it that way, its not good to flash the zenons...

 

[dpnguyen]

Thanks for the feedback. Are you telling me that when my light switch is dialed in the Off position, these lights are still on during the day? Is there a way of disabling the DRL's? I'd like to be able to control when my lights are on thank you very much. I do see why the standard bulbs would be advantagous when flashing though.

 

[DrivingTopless]

Your car my or may not have the DRL's enabled. You probably do not have them enabled if you've never noticed them reflecting off the back of the car in front of you in close traffic.

The reason why the inner halogens are used for flashing is that it is not good to turn xenon lamps on and off rapidly. It apparently shortens their life. So the halogens are used in the flashing function.

 

[codex57]

The dealer can turn the DRL's off for you.

I think everyone else explained why we have regular lamps for highbeaming.

 

[Average Jae]

i thought bi-xenons just opened up the aparature to get the high beam effect. not turning on another set.. (but constantly opening, closing back to regualr position isn't all that good either.)

your dealer can turn the DLR off, (first thing i had them do.) unless you live in Canada, where you are stuck with them, due to a law up there.

 

[bmwrocks]

i thought bi-xenons just opened up the aparature to get the high beam effect. not turning on another set.. (but constantly opening, closing back to regualr position isn't all that good either.)

You are correct. They actually refer to it as a shutter. A shutter is mechanically moved into the light path from above to mask part of the beam. The shutter is completely removed from the light path in high beam mode.

Moving any mechanical device abusively can damage it, but I think normal use of the shutter will not hurt it.

 

[Unit74]

I actually had the dealer turn mine on......


Cool factor over safety......?


I take safety.

 

[Booyah]

I actually had the dealer turn mine on......


Cool factor over safety......?


I take safety.

Im with ya on that 100% safety factor with having your lights on at ALL times of driving--I dont care if its 100 degrees and the sun is bright as shit, my lights are on for the other idiots that maybe cant see me

 

[codex57]

In California, idiots don't see screaming bright red fire trucks with full lights on.