What are each of the headlight lenses used for?

EnlightenedOne · 08-24-2013, 08:34 PM

Okay, silly question... What are the various lenses in the headlight used for? I know the halos are used for the parking lights and DRLs, the main headlight projector is used for both low beam and high beam... but what's the lens inside the other halo used for?

I was driving tonight with my lights on "auto" as usual, and noticed when I pulled up to a store that only one of those other lights was turned on. If I switched the knob to just "on" it went out, but on "auto" the one light came back on. Not sure what causes that, and if both should be on and one is burnt out or what.

rps · 08-24-2013, 08:43 PM

They are cornering lights. They only illuminate when you turn the wheel into a turn. They both illuminate when you are in Reverse.

makrop · 08-24-2013, 08:44 PM

Through reflections, I've always noticed that the inner bulb lights up on the side that your blinker is on (if you are turning left, the left light will light up along with your blinker, but it goes out after a bit). Also, if you have adaptive headlights, as the xenons rotate left or right, the inner light will light up on the side you are turning to. Also, when in reverse, both inner lights light up.

Ive never actually read about any of that, just noticed thats how they behave on my car.

EnlightenedOne · 08-24-2013, 08:51 PM

Ah... that makes sense. Generally I try to keep the wheels straight when parking but I had turned into a pretty tight space so the wheels were still turned when I noticed this. So I guess it happens even when the car isn't moving but the wheels are turned.

EnlightenedOne · 08-24-2013, 08:52 PM

Although it is still strange that it only happened when in "Auto" mode, but in just plain "On" they didn't light up. Do the cornering and adaptive lights only function in full auto mode?

Dackelone · 08-24-2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnlightenedOne

Although it is still strange that it only happened when in "Auto" mode, but in just plain "On" they didn't light up. Do the cornering and adaptive lights only function in full auto mode?

Yes the AHL(adaptive head lights) xenons only work in AUTO mode. Also the corning lamps that you notice only work in AUTO mode as well.

also somewhat related...

AHL2 EU headlight Coding...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=843765

pj.rodriguez · 08-25-2013, 07:25 AM

I drive a 2008 128i with xenons but I don't think I have AHL. My centre light is clear and you can see a dim halogen light bulb in there. Does this turn on at all or is it just a dim lightbulb?

Jim621 · 05-10-2015, 06:27 AM

+1 - id like to know when the inner headlight bulb turns on for vehicles without adaptive headlights. (bit of a thread dig I know..)
thanks, Steve.

Jim621 · 05-11-2015, 04:52 AM

anyone? I have an Australian model 135i if that helps.

Dackelone · 05-12-2015, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj.rodriguez

I drive a 2008 128i with xenons but I don't think I have AHL. My centre light is clear and you can see a dim halogen light bulb in there. Does this turn on at all or is it just a dim lightbulb?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim621

+1 - id like to know when the inner headlight bulb turns on for vehicles without adaptive headlights. (bit of a thread dig I know..)
thanks, Steve.

The inner light on non-AHL headlights does nothing. Only the AE will light up. There is no bulb in those inner lights! And when your headlight switch is in the AUTO, only the headlights will turn on automatically. No cornering lights, and the xenons will not turn in the corners like AHL lights do.

AHL xenon headlights (LCI)...
Name: headlights ahl ___IMG_3649.jpg
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Name: headlights ahl ___IMG_3649.jpg
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non AHL xenon headlights
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Jim621 · 05-12-2015, 04:31 AM

Awesome! Very informative. thanks Dackel!

Kreester · 09-20-2015, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The inner light on non-AHL headlights does nothing. Only the AE will light up. There is no bulb in those inner lights! And when your headlight switch is in the AUTO, only the headlights will turn on automatically. No cornering lights, and the xenons will not turn in the corners like AHL lights do.

AHL xenon headlights (LCI)...
Attachment 1207823

non AHL xenon headlights
Attachment 1207824

That empty place (inner headlights)would be a nice spot to fit some extra high beam lights in.
Anyone "been there, done that " ??

Dackelone · 09-20-2015, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kreester

That empty place (inner headlights)would be a nice spot to fit some extra high beam lights in.
Anyone "been there, done that " ??

IF you have the car coded to AHL2 euro specs...(see link I posted above a few post) the high beams will put out more light.

US cars are restricted in high beam brightness due to our ancient head light laws.

Dackel

Kreester · 09-20-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

IF you have the car coded to AHL2 euro specs...(see link I posted above a few post) the high beams will put out more light.

US cars are restricted in high beam brightness due to our ancient head light laws.

Dackel

I have non adaptive headlights so there is an "empty space" . We do have really dark winters so there´s never enough high beam. Thought it would be a nice way to boost the light without external lamps.

MAMSport · 01-26-2017, 10:06 PM

My '13 128i has halogen headlights, but as far as I can discern, the 'eyebrow' never illuminates. Is this supposed to function at some point, in some setting, or some condition?

08-24-2013, 08:34 PM	#1
EnlightenedOne Second Lieutenant 45 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2024 M240i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UT iTrader: (0)	What are each of the headlight lenses used for? Okay, silly question... What are the various lenses in the headlight used for? I know the halos are used for the parking lights and DRLs, the main headlight projector is used for both low beam and high beam... but what's the lens inside the other halo used for? I was driving tonight with my lights on "auto" as usual, and noticed when I pulled up to a store that only one of those other lights was turned on. If I switched the knob to just "on" it went out, but on "auto" the one light came back on. Not sure what causes that, and if both should be on and one is burnt out or what.
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08-24-2013, 08:43 PM	#2
rps Captain 35 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pace, Fl iTrader: (11)	They are cornering lights. They only illuminate when you turn the wheel into a turn. They both illuminate when you are in Reverse. __________________ NB8S Past Garage: Z4, 135i. Present Garage: 2013 X Drive X1 2.8i.
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08-24-2013, 08:44 PM	#3
makrop Lieutenant 151 Rep 475 Posts Drives: '18 M240i 6MT MGM/CR Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Broken Arrow, OK iTrader: (0)	Through reflections, I've always noticed that the inner bulb lights up on the side that your blinker is on (if you are turning left, the left light will light up along with your blinker, but it goes out after a bit). Also, if you have adaptive headlights, as the xenons rotate left or right, the inner light will light up on the side you are turning to. Also, when in reverse, both inner lights light up. Ive never actually read about any of that, just noticed thats how they behave on my car. __________________ 18' F22 M240i \| 6MT \| MGM/CR 02' E46 325i \| 5MT \| SBM/B (beater - 200k+) 10' E82 135i \| 6MT \| BSM/CR (sold) 03' E46 330ci \| 5MT \| JB/B (sold)
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08-24-2013, 08:51 PM	#4
EnlightenedOne Second Lieutenant 45 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2024 M240i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UT iTrader: (0)	Ah... that makes sense. Generally I try to keep the wheels straight when parking but I had turned into a pretty tight space so the wheels were still turned when I noticed this. So I guess it happens even when the car isn't moving but the wheels are turned.
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08-24-2013, 08:52 PM	#5
EnlightenedOne Second Lieutenant 45 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2024 M240i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UT iTrader: (0)	Although it is still strange that it only happened when in "Auto" mode, but in just plain "On" they didn't light up. Do the cornering and adaptive lights only function in full auto mode?
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08-25-2013, 07:25 AM	#7
pj.rodriguez Lieutenant Colonel 84 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: Alpine White 128i Cabrio Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (9) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i E88 [9.00]	I drive a 2008 128i with xenons but I don't think I have AHL. My centre light is clear and you can see a dim halogen light bulb in there. Does this turn on at all or is it just a dim lightbulb?
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05-10-2015, 06:27 AM	#8
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	+1 - id like to know when the inner headlight bulb turns on for vehicles without adaptive headlights. (bit of a thread dig I know..) thanks, Steve.
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05-11-2015, 04:52 AM	#9
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	anyone? I have an Australian model 135i if that helps.
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05-12-2015, 04:31 AM	#11
Jim621 Private First Class 25 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Awesome! Very informative. thanks Dackel!
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01-26-2017, 10:06 PM	#15
MAMSport Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 265 Posts Drives: '13 128i M-Sport coupe Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: North Shore of MA iTrader: (1)	My '13 128i has halogen headlights, but as far as I can discern, the 'eyebrow' never illuminates. Is this supposed to function at some point, in some setting, or some condition?
	Appreciate 0 Quote