I am not much for automatic anything (headlights, transmission, wipers, mirrors, etc.)

I got the automatic headlights as part of whatever package that came with the sunroof. After having the car a week and a half, I thought I'd give them a shot. I park in a garage and they come on every time I start the car to leave, and when I arrive.

I guess if you park outside, it could be useful, but in a garage, it will just decrease the life of the lights.

 

I have them on my current car (Saturn Ion) and granted they aren't Xenons (which my CM will have) but I have not noticed any decreased life in the bulbs.

 

Or when you are out and about driving and the sun goes down. This is what they are designed for. They should turn off seconds after you exit the garage right?

 

That's a good one.....where'd you get that from then.....

 

The manual. Excessively turning them on and off will decrease the life of any lights, Xenons included. I consider them turning on and off for 5-10 seconds at least twice a day excessive. Here in SoCal, I can go several months in the summer without ever needing them.

 

Meh, I use my Xenons are DRLs so they turn on once each drive..

Auto wipers work well in the middle position for me.

 

That's just nuts.......they're designed to do that and it's not going to hurt them....they will more than likely outlive the car.

 

For me the auto headlights on our CM are just like that quirky blinker operation. I like to turn on my headlights when they should be on(when raining or when it's getting dark), and I like to hold my blinker stalk to change lanes as long as I need to, and it's not always the same....this 5 blinks to changes lanes or whatever it is does not work for me, so I changed them to work like blinkers have been workings for decades.

IMO both of these options are Rube Goldberg solutions to something that is not a problem.

 

Doubtful. several posts in the Bimmer forums of people having to replace one at 65,000 miles. They aren't magic.

But I am just reading the manual and looking at anecdotal evidence, so I could be wrong. If you could post the tests you've performed to show the manual is wrong or the anecdotal evidence in various forums is wrong, I'd be very interested to see it. Thanks.

 

The manual doesn't make it clear...as to what is excessive.....and my statements are also based on anecdotal evidence....and decades of experience with the automobile.....that evidence says nonsense.

 

Xenon HID bulbs are designed to last 20,000 hours. I had auto headlights in everyone of my cars and never had an issue with the lights burning out.. Headlights should be the least of your worries.

 

That is good to know. You should search for the terms replace and Xenon in subject titles only on this board and tell those dozen or so people they don't need to replace their bulbs as they think. It would be a shame for them to spend the money to replace their non-burnt out bulbs.

I also found a lot of companies selling replacement bulbs. I am sure consumer protection agencies would like to know about these scams.

Thanks for your help. I will turn my automatic headlights back on, and while I am in the garage, I think I'll flip my headlights on and off for a few minutes, because I can.

 

Always willing to lend a hand................

 

EHans

We have the automatic headlights/Xenon on our 2010 hardtop, and it is still going strong. Like everything else, It's likely that you will have to replace them, but I would venture to say that it will be about the same average as any other part.

 

Thanks WB. I am looking out further than 3 years. I tend to keep cars a while. My Audi is 15 and bought it brand new.

 

EHans:

Simply turn the headlight/turn signal stalk from automatic "on" one click to "off". Volla, no headlights in your garage. However, no auto-on of your headlights at dusk or in rain storms.

I like the feature. I have had 'auto on' headlights on BMWs since 2001 and I have never had to buy a replacement head light bulb.

 

Thanks Dean. It is a feature I'll probably turn on when time changes and it gets darker earlier.