Adaptive High Beam

[beanbag]

I've got adaptive high beam on my BMW F31 and generally it works great....I love the way I can have high beam on with a car directly in front of me, and the lights create a dark tunnel so the car ahead isn't blinded at all.

Very clever system but there are times when for apparently no reason, it decides to switch off the high beam off even though there are no other cars or lights about. It'll be pitch dark and the lights go back to standard beam.

It's not often but it's annoying. Is there any way to improve how they work and do they work well on other cars or newer generation BMW's? I know Audi have a similar system, but not aware of it in other cars.

Mine is an early 2013 model but I know they've changed the location of the camera on newer 2014/15 models.

[Jim AK]

I've found that things like the reflection back from road signs causes it to,switch back to dipped.

[beanbag]

Jim AK said:

I've found that things like the reflection back from road signs causes it to,switch back to dipped.

Is there any way to adjust it or is it just the way it is?

It might also explain why they changed the design. My camera is inside the car just below the mirror. I could potentially touch the camera if I wanted to. The newer generation is sat flush to the windscreen and impossible to touch without removing the unit.

My version:



Newer version:

[AlexIT]

I'm giving for granted you have already checked in your car's menus, but maybe you could try to ask your dealer to check if there is any sensitivity setting that can be accessed via diagnostics?

[Dannbodge]

I have high beam assist in my E90, it's not quite as sophisticated as yours but still good.

Haven't actually needed to use it yet though.

[Freddy88FM]

Given my main car is my MK Indy (at the moment while the 106 is in the garage) and my headlights are a switch on the dash that is incredibly hard to hit with the first shot of a gloved finger while driving... I find it hard to empathise with this topic

[beanbag]

Dannbodge said:

I have high beam assist in my E90, it's not quite as sophisticated as yours but still good.

Haven't actually needed to use it yet though.

I think the newer version is pretty amazing and great when it works. Here's the showcase from BMW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tajs8sqfOQY

It allows for much better visibility on dark roads and of what's ahead too. No bad thing but as some have already commented, it must look very bizarre from the rear view mirror in front with all the lights switching on and off and swivelling around!

[Sump]

I like my XJ version.

Full beam just comes on itself and goes off itself if needed. Doesn't actually require any thinking or input.

[simo1863]

I've driven with it on a number of cars and think it's best on the Volvo's to be honest.

[kambites]

I guess it's far better for it to "fail safe" to dipped beam than risk having it stay on high-beam when something is coming the other way.

[Dannbodge]

beanbag said:

I think the newer version is pretty amazing and great when it works. Here's the showcase from BMW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tajs8sqfOQY

It allows for much better visibility on dark roads and of what's ahead too. No bad thing but as some have already commented, it must look very bizarre from the rear view mirror in front with all the lights switching on and off and swivelling around!

Yeah I watched that video back when it was released. It's incredible tech tbf.
You might as well just drive everywhere on full beam

[Jim AK]

beanbag said:

Is there any way to adjust it or is it just the way it is?

It might also explain why they changed the design. My camera is inside the car just below the mirror. I could potentially touch the camera if I wanted to. The newer generation is sat flush to the windscreen and impossible to touch without removing the unit.

My version:



Newer version:

Not sure & the chap who has that car isn't local to me. Sorry.