Get Controls -> Lamps Guide for BMW M3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2007-2013)

Lamps

Automatic headlamp control*

Parking lamps/low beams

When the switch is in position 3, the low beams

are switched on and off automatically depend-

ing on ambient light conditions, e.g. in a tunnel,

in twilight, or if there is precipitation. The Adap-

tive Head Light* is active. The LED next to the

symbol is illuminated when the low beams are

on. You can also activate the daytime running

lamps, refer to page 100. In the situations

described above, the lamps then automatically

switch from daytime running lamps to low

beams.

Lamps off,

The headlamps may also come on when the

sun is sitting low on a blue sky.

daytime running lamps

Parking lamps and daytime running lamps

Low-beam headlamps and welcome lamps

The automatic headlamp control cannot

serve as a substitute for your personal

judgment in determining when the lamps

should be switched on in response to ambient

lighting conditions. For example, the system

cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid

safety risks, you should always switch on the

low-beam headlamps manually under these

conditions.<

Automatic headlamp control*, daytime run-

ning lamps, welcome lamps and Adaptive

Head Light*

When you open the driver's door with the igni-

tion switched off, the exterior lighting is auto-

matically switched off if the light switch is in

position 0, 2 or 3.

Switch on the parking lamps if necessary,

Welcome lamps

switch position 1.

If you leave the light switch in position 2 or 3

when you park the car, the parking lamps and

the interior lamps light up briefly when you

unlock the vehicle.

Parking lamps

In switch position 1, the front, rear and side

vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the

parking lamps for parking.

Activating/deactivating welcome

lamps

The parking lamps will discharge the bat-

tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for

unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-

tery might not have enough power to start the

engine. It is preferable to switch on the left-

hand or right-hand roadside parking lamps,

refer to page 101.<

iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.

1. Press the

button.

This opens the start menu.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.

4. Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-

troller.

Low beams

The low beams light up when the light switch is

5. If necessary, move the highlight marker to

the uppermost field. Turn the controller

in position 2 and the ignition is on.

until "Lighting" is selected and press the

controller.

7. Turn the controller to select the corre-

sponding duration.

8. Press the controller to apply the setting.

The setting is stored for the remote control cur-

rently in use.

Daytime running lamps

The daytime running lamps light up in switch

position 0, 1 and 3. They are less powerful than

the low beams.

Activating/deactivating daytime

running lamps

6. Select "Welcome light" and press the con-

troller.

iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.

The welcome lamps are switched on.

1. Press the

button.

The setting is stored for the remote control cur-

rently in use.

This opens the start menu.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.

Pathway lighting

If you activate the headlamp flasher after park-

ing the car, with the lamps switched off, the low

beams and the rear lamps come on and remain

on for a certain time.

4. Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-

troller.

5. Select "Lighting" and press the controller.

You can adjust the operating period or deacti-

vate the function.

iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.

1. Press the

button.

This opens the start menu.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.

4. Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-

troller.

6. Select "Daytime running lamps" and press

the controller.

5. Select "Lighting" and press the controller.

The daytime running lamps are

switched on.

The setting is stored for the remote control cur-

rently in use.

Adaptive Head Light*

The concept

Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp

control system that enables better illumination

of the road surface. Depending on the steering

6. Select "Pathway lighting" and press the

controller.

100

angle and other parameters, the light from the

headlamp follows the course of the road.

Roadside parking lamps, left or right

There is an additional option of switching on the

lamps on the side of the car facing the road

when parked.

In tight curves at speeds up to 40 mph/70 km/h,

e.g. on mountainous roads or when turning, an

additional, corner-illuminating lamp is switched

on that lights up the inside area of the curve.

Switching on

After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or

down beyond the pressure point for a longer

period, arrow 3.

Activating Adaptive Head Light

With the ignition switched on, turn the light

switch to position 3, refer to page 99.

The corner-illuminating lamp is switched on

automatically, depending on the steering wheel

angle or turn signal indicator.

The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-

tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for

unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-

tery might not have enough power to start the

engine.<

To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive

Head Light directs light towards the front pas-

senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill.

Switching off

When you are reversing, only the corner-illumi-

nating lamps are active and switched on on

both sides.

Press the lever in the opposite direction to the

pressure point, arrow 3.

Malfunction

Instrument lighting

You can adjust the brightness of the instrument

lighting only when the parking lamps or the low

beams are switched on.

The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-

lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is

malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system

checked as soon as possible.

High beams/roadside parking

lamps

1. Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up

or down repeatedly until the appropriate

symbol appears in the display, accompa-

nied by the brightness level and the word

"SET".

High beams

2. Press button 2.

Headlamp flasher

Roadside parking lamps*

101

Reading lamps

3. Push button 1 up or down to select the

desired brightness level.

There are reading lamps at the front and rear*,

next to the interior lamps. To switch on and off,

press the button.

4. Press button 2.

The display again shows the outside tem-

perature and the time.

Interior lamps

The interior lamps, footwell lamps*, entry

lamps*, cargo bay lamp and courtesy lamps*

are controlled automatically.

The LEDs for the courtesy lamps are set in the

door handles and illuminate the ground in front

of the doors.

To avoid draining the battery, all lamps

inside the car are switched off about

8 minutes after the ignition is switched off, refer

to Start/stop button on page 59.<

Switching interior lamps on/off

manually

Interior lamps, front and rear*:

To switch on and off, press the button.

To switch off the interior lamps, footwell

lamps*, entry lamps* and courtesy lamps* per-

manently, press the button for the front interior

lamps for about 3 seconds.

102

Controls -> Lamps for Your BMW M3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2007-2013)

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