Keeping auto light on but what about the garage?

sameh · 08-30-2010, 10:13 AM

I had an infiniti before my M3 and never kept it on "auto light" since it turned on every time I enter my garage and I have read that frequent on/off reduces xenon light lifespan. My infiniti despite being that carful with it, the light didn't look as bright as the new ones on the street after 6 years. Now on my M3, I kinda left it on auto enjoying the convenience for a while and was planning to switch back to manual soon, BUT:
1) I got so used to the lights coming on automatically whenever the wipers get activated by rain.
2) The idea of never touching the light button and just drive, started to get to my head
I don't think lights will turn on automatically with wipers if I change it back to manual (or does anyone here disagree?)
Any neat ideas out there to prevent the lights from turning on in the garage for just 3-5 seconds till I turn off the car?

Lodaka · 08-30-2010, 11:19 AM

I would like to know what other people do in these cases too. For now, I just keep it on and have kept on, just so that I can get the benefit of not having to worry about turning the lights on and off, but would be curious to find out what others are doing.

BCA · 08-30-2010, 01:20 PM

I leave mine in the off position. If I do need to drive at night (which isn't really that often), I turn them on. I don't want the wipers coming on automatically anyway because I keep a fresh coat of Rain-X on at all times and therefore don't need the wipers much (I just use the "mist" function or turn them on if it's really raining hard).

double eagle · 08-30-2010, 01:58 PM

Turn 'em on when needed, off when you don't. Just like the old days.

Max74 · 08-30-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sameh

1) I got so used to the lights coming on automatically whenever the wipers get activated by rain.

Interesting, mine does not do that (2009...no tech package) and it's the only thing about the auto light feature I wish it did do. Perhaps they added that in later model years?

Most of the times it rains the lights do turn on because of the clouds darkening things up enough, but I remember one sun shower where I noticed the lights weren't on and I thought that was one feature they should have built in...

Traveling1 · 08-30-2010, 09:20 PM

I was also concerned about premature wearing out of the xenons because of them turning on and off everytime I enter and leave the garage. I leave mine turned off during the day light hours.

Davinhci · 08-30-2010, 11:23 PM

off, i turn them on when needed.

spyderco10 · 08-30-2010, 11:36 PM

everything manual, just like my tranny

atolius · 08-31-2010, 12:52 AM

Geez..how much does a new xenon bulb cost anyways?

TTG · 08-31-2010, 01:26 AM

Mine is in OFF position at all times and when I need to turn them on at night I turn them on to Auto position.....this way cornering lights get activated as well......

Not a big fan auto lights coming on in tunnels or in garages..... That is what parking lights / DRL's are for

MysticBlue · 08-31-2010, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTG

Mine is in OFF position at all times and when I need to turn them on at night I turn them on to Auto position.....this way cornering lights get activated as well......

Not a big fan auto lights coming on in tunnels or in garages..... That is what parking lights / DRL's are for

+1. Also prefer not to have the lights come on without my input, in my garage, or anywhere else. If it's in auto I turn them off as I pull into my driveway. If it's dark, I turn them to auto as I pull out of my driveway. If it's not dark, I leave them off. Not very hard.

Bubbles · 08-31-2010, 06:44 AM

I've been told that frequent on/off operation will diminish the operational life of the Xenons. Unfortunately, I believe you use lose the "welcome light indication" when in the off position which isn't too big deal if you have the alarm option.

brava09 · 08-31-2010, 06:53 AM

I really need my lights on in my underground parking, especially when coming from sunny outside, so I keep them on auto all the time.

I also have an Infiniti, but didn't notice that my headlights are less bright than others.

sameh · 08-31-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbles

I've been told that frequent on/off operation will diminish the operational life of the Xenons. Unfortunately, I believe you use lose the "welcome light indication" when in the off position which isn't too big deal if you have the alarm option.

I don't think you lose the welcome lights (not that I'm keen about having them) by turning the auto-light off. The welcome lights are the circular ones that turn on as DLR. and I just made sure that my DLR lights are on even if the light switch was on off position. But when I get back home today I'll see for sure if welcome light option is linked to auto.

BCA · 08-31-2010, 09:12 AM

The DRLs (angel eyes) only come on as welcome lights when the headlight switch is in the on or auto position. It was the same way on my X5 and I believe that functionality should be the same on all M3s.

Maybe you're thinking of the door handle pathway lights....?? Those come on regardless, obviously

xG35c · 08-31-2010, 09:32 AM

I don't think this is a concern anymore - hell, the're even used for the flash-to-pass feature.

Finnegan · 08-31-2010, 02:13 PM

There's an automatic headlight light feature?

J/K I just never use it. I leave them off, and when I want them "on" I turn them on. I guess that addresses any lifespan concern (I suspected there might be something like that with these headlights, but I just prefer to control it myself). I guess it's nice, but it's a feature I could live w/o.

JCtx · 08-31-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderco10

everything manual, just like my tranny

Yep, same here. Auto headlights, auto wipers, auto climate control... all crap to me

; they never behave like I expect them too, so they're always OFF. A total waste of money IMO.

sig5x · 09-14-2010, 09:19 AM

I've also been wondering about the impact of frequent on/off cycles of the headlights. While newer designs are capable of hot restrikes on the HID bulbs (via ballast improvements, I believe), I've read that frequent on/off use is still not good for longevity.

Does anyone have more info on our systems and how they tolerate hot restrikes on the bulbs?

08-30-2010, 10:13 AM	#1
sameh Lieutenant Colonel 171 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2015 Porsche 911S Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Keeping auto light on but what about the garage? I had an infiniti before my M3 and never kept it on "auto light" since it turned on every time I enter my garage and I have read that frequent on/off reduces xenon light lifespan. My infiniti despite being that carful with it, the light didn't look as bright as the new ones on the street after 6 years. Now on my M3, I kinda left it on auto enjoying the convenience for a while and was planning to switch back to manual soon, BUT: 1) I got so used to the lights coming on automatically whenever the wipers get activated by rain. 2) The idea of never touching the light button and just drive, started to get to my head I don't think lights will turn on automatically with wipers if I change it back to manual (or does anyone here disagree?) Any neat ideas out there to prevent the lights from turning on in the garage for just 3-5 seconds till I turn off the car?
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08-30-2010, 11:19 AM	#2
Lodaka Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (4)	I would like to know what other people do in these cases too. For now, I just keep it on and have kept on, just so that I can get the benefit of not having to worry about turning the lights on and off, but would be curious to find out what others are doing.
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08-30-2010, 01:20 PM	#3
BCA Captain 21 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	I leave mine in the off position. If I do need to drive at night (which isn't really that often), I turn them on. I don't want the wipers coming on automatically anyway because I keep a fresh coat of Rain-X on at all times and therefore don't need the wipers much (I just use the "mist" function or turn them on if it's really raining hard). __________________ 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S 2019 Porsche Cayenne Past BMWs: 2015 M3, 2014 550i, 2013 M3 ZCP, 2012 535i, 2011 E90 335i, 2009 E90 M3, 2008 X5, 2006 330i, 2004 330i
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08-30-2010, 01:58 PM	#4
double eagle Private First Class 1 Rep 121 Posts Drives: '08 M3, '09 MS3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 39.0N • 105.1W iTrader: (0)	Turn 'em on when needed, off when you don't. Just like the old days. __________________ BMWCCA since 2003
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08-30-2010, 09:20 PM	#6
Traveling1 Private 7 Rep 82 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (0)	I was also concerned about premature wearing out of the xenons because of them turning on and off everytime I enter and leave the garage. I leave mine turned off during the day light hours.
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08-30-2010, 11:23 PM	#7
Davinhci Colonel 55 Rep 2,484 Posts Drives: 08 M3 E92 & 08 E70 X5 4.8 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	off, i turn them on when needed. __________________ 08 E92 AW M3 \| HRE P40 19" \| APE Air Filter \| BMW Performance Grills \| White Side Gills \| CF Mirror Covers \| BMW Performance Pedals \| F1 Pinnacle Tint \| V1 Hardwire \| Dinan Performance Software \| Gintani Exhaust \| H&R Sports Springs \| RPI Scoops \| BMW CF Spoiler \| Challenge Diffuser \| Lux H8 V3 \| LCI Tail Lights \|
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08-30-2010, 11:36 PM	#8
spyderco10 Colonel 63 Rep 2,426 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (0)	everything manual, just like my tranny __________________ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
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08-31-2010, 12:52 AM	#9
atolius Private 8 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 11 M3 E92 AW/FR DCT ZCP Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego iTrader: (0)	Geez..how much does a new xenon bulb cost anyways?
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08-31-2010, 01:26 AM	#10
TTG ... 935 Rep 4,326 Posts Drives: M340 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [7.84] 2007 335 Coupe (ret ... [9.00]	Mine is in OFF position at all times and when I need to turn them on at night I turn them on to Auto position.....this way cornering lights get activated as well...... Not a big fan auto lights coming on in tunnels or in garages..... That is what parking lights / DRL's are for __________________ 2020 G20 M340 xDrive - Portimao Blue - ZDA\|ZPP\|ZPX\|1CR\|1PE\|6NW\|6WD 2016 F10 535i xDrive - AW - Retired 2011 E92 M3 - AW……………....ED April 29th, 2010 - Retired 2007 E92 335i -Space Gray.....ED Oct 19th, 2006 - Retired
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08-31-2010, 06:44 AM	#12
Bubbles Brigadier General 2753 Rep 4,445 Posts Drives: Green Bastard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend iTrader: (3)	I've been told that frequent on/off operation will diminish the operational life of the Xenons. Unfortunately, I believe you use lose the "welcome light indication" when in the off position which isn't too big deal if you have the alarm option. __________________
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08-31-2010, 06:53 AM	#13
brava09 Lieutenant Colonel 767 Rep 1,683 Posts Drives: M4C xdrive Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	I really need my lights on in my underground parking, especially when coming from sunny outside, so I keep them on auto all the time. I also have an Infiniti, but didn't notice that my headlights are less bright than others. __________________ 22 M4 Competition xdrive 19 M5 Competition sold 16 F-Type S AWD sold 11 Audi RS5 Misano Red--sold 08 E92 M3 Jerez Black 6MT--sold 08 E92 335i 6MT traded in for M3
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08-31-2010, 09:12 AM	#15
BCA Captain 21 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	The DRLs (angel eyes) only come on as welcome lights when the headlight switch is in the on or auto position. It was the same way on my X5 and I believe that functionality should be the same on all M3s. Maybe you're thinking of the door handle pathway lights....?? Those come on regardless, obviously __________________ 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S 2019 Porsche Cayenne Past BMWs: 2015 M3, 2014 550i, 2013 M3 ZCP, 2012 535i, 2011 E90 335i, 2009 E90 M3, 2008 X5, 2006 330i, 2004 330i
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08-31-2010, 09:32 AM	#16
xG35c Lieutenant 36 Rep 433 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I don't think this is a concern anymore - hell, the're even used for the flash-to-pass feature.
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08-31-2010, 02:13 PM	#17
Finnegan Dog Listener 701 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	There's an automatic headlight light feature? J/K I just never use it. I leave them off, and when I want them "on" I turn them on. I guess that addresses any lifespan concern (I suspected there might be something like that with these headlights, but I just prefer to control it myself). I guess it's nice, but it's a feature I could live w/o.
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09-14-2010, 09:19 AM	#19
sig5x Second Lieutenant 27 Rep 212 Posts Drives: e92 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I've also been wondering about the impact of frequent on/off cycles of the headlights. While newer designs are capable of hot restrikes on the HID bulbs (via ballast improvements, I believe), I've read that frequent on/off use is still not good for longevity. Does anyone have more info on our systems and how they tolerate hot restrikes on the bulbs?
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