The 2006 BMW 6 Series comes equipped with halogen headlamps as standard, although some models may have optional xenon headlamps. This depends on the country where the vehicle is produced and sold, as well as the option packages selected by the previous owner.
Some 2006 BMW 6 Series models also come equipped with fog lamps located on the lower front bumper, and rear lamps with LED technology. LED rear lamps can produce brighter and longer-lasting light compared to conventional rear lamps.
In addition, some 2006 BMW 6 Series models may have spotlights located near the front lamps, which can help increase visibility when driving at night or in inclement weather.
Parking lamps/low beams
1 Automatic headlamp control, Adaptive Head Light* and high-beam assistant*
2 Parking lamps
3 Low beams/daytime driving lamps*
Parking lamps
In the switch position 2, the front, rear and side vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking. For lighting on one side for parking as an additional feature.
▶ The parking lamps drain the battery. Avoid using for longer periods; otherwise, it may not be possible to start the engine.
Low beams
The low beams light up in switch position 3 only with the engine running. Otherwise the parking lamps are lit.
Pathway lighting
When you activate the headlamp flasher after parking the vehicle and switching off the lamps, the low beams will come on for a brief period. You can set the duration via iDrive or deactivate the function.
- Press the MENU button. This opens the start menu.
- Press the controller to open the I menu.
- Select “Vehicle settings” and press the controller.
- Select “Lighting” and press the controller
- Select “Pathway lighting” and press the controller.
- Turn the controller to select the corresponding duration.
- Press the controller to apply the setting.
Daytime driving lamps*
If you wish, you can leave the light switch in position 3. Switch on the parking lamps if required as described under Parking lamps.
Automatic headlamp control
In switch position 1, the low beams are automatically switched on or off depending on the ambient light, e.g. in a tunnel, at dawn/dusk in the rain or snow, and the Adaptive Head Light* is active. The LED next to the symbol is illuminated when the low beams are on.
⚠ The low beams remain on independent of the ambient lighting conditions when you switch on the fog lamps.
With the daytime driving lamps activated, the low beams are always switched on whenever the ignition is switched on.
⚠ 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. To avoid safety risks, you should always switch on the lamps manually under these conditions.
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 angle and other parameters, the light from the headlamp follows the course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
In switch position 1, the Adaptive Head Light is active and the automatic headlamp control is switched on.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive Head Light is not active when driving in reverse and points toward the passenger side when the vehicle is stopped.
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic headlamp control flashes. The Adaptive Head Light is malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
High beams/roadside parking lamps
1 High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one side of your vehicle when parking. When using this function, comply with national regulations: After parking the vehicle, press the lever in the desired direction 3, past the resistance point.
▶ The roadside parking lamps drain the battery. Avoid using for longer periods; otherwise, it may not be possible to start the engine.
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high beams on and off again. A sensor on the front of the interior rearview mirror controls the process. The assistant ensures that the high beams are switched on whenever the traffic situation allows. This reduces the strain on you while at the same time providing you with the best possible visibility. Of course, you can intervene at any time and switch the high beams on and off in the accustomed manner.
Activating high-beam assistant
- Turn the light switch to switch position 1.
- Press the turn signal lever in the high beam direction with the low beams switched on.
The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up when the high-beam assistant is activated. The assistant automatically switches between high and low beams, reacting to oncoming traffic and traffic ahead and to well-lit areas such as towns and cities.
Manually switching between high and low beams
You can intervene at any time if you wish or the situation requires.
- If the high-beam assistant has switched on the high beams, but you want to use the low beams, simply switch to the low beams with the turn signal lever. This also deactivates the high-beam assistant. To reactivate the system, briefly press the turn signal lever in the high beam direction again.
- If the high-beam assistant has switched on the low beams, but you want to use the high beams, switch to the high beams in the accustomed manner. The system is deactivated in the process and you must switch to the low beams manually. To reactivate the system, briefly press the turn signal lever in the high beam direction again.
- You use the headlamp flasher in the usual way when the low beams are on.
System limits
⚠ The high-beam assistant cannot replace personal decisions about the benefits of using high beams. In situations that require them, you should switch to the low beams manually to avoid a safety risk.
In the following sample situations, the system either does not function or functions only in a limited way and a personal reaction may be required:
- Under extremely unfavorable weather conditions, such as heavy fog or precipitation
- To make out poorly-lit road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, people on horseback, horse-drawn vehicles, train or ship traffic close to the road and wild animals crossing the road.
- In tight curves, on steep hilltops or in depressions, with cross traffic or partially concealed oncoming traffic on the freeway
- In poorly lit places and with highly reflective signs
- In the low speed range
- When the windshield is fogged up, dirty or covered with stickers, decals, etc. in the area of the interior rearview mirror
- When the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor on the front side of the interior rearview mirror with a cloth moistened with a small amount of glass cleaner.
Front fog lamps
The parking lamps or low beams must be switched on for the fog lamps to operate. The green indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up when the fog lamps are switched on. The fog lamps are switched off whenever the high beams are switched on.
▶ If the automatic headlamp control is activated, the low beams will come on automatically when you switch on the fog lamps.
Instrument lighting
The lighting intensity can be adjusted with the knurled wheel.
Interior lamps
Control of the interior lamps, footwell lamps, door entry lighting, courtesy lamps* and sill panel lighting* is automatic.
Switching the interior lamps on and off manually
Press button 1. If you want the interior lamps to remain off continuously, maintain pressure on the button for approx. 3 seconds. To revert to normal operation, briefly press the button.
Reading lamps
The reading lamps are beside the interior lamp: You can turn them on and off using the buttons 2 located next to the lamps.
⚠ To protect the battery, all lamps in the vehicle are switched off approx. 15 minutes after radio readiness is switched off.