For the 2010-5 series BMW, the lamps options would depend on the specific model and trim level. Some common options for the 2010-5 series BMW include halogen headlamps, LED headlamps, and Adaptive LED headlamps. It’s best to check the owner’s manual or contact a BMW dealership for more information on the available lamp options for your specific vehicle.
Parking lamps/low beams
0 Lights off and daytime running lamps*
1 Parking lamps and daytime running lamps*
2 Low beams and welcome lamps
3 Automatic headlamp control, daytime running lamps, welcome lamps, Adaptive Light Control* and High-beam Assistant*
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition switched off, the exterior lighting is switched off when the light switch is in position 2 or 3. The daytime running lamps have already been switched off at the same time as the ignition. For this reason, switch on the parking lamps as needed, switch position 1; otherwise, the vehicle is not lit.
Parking lamps
In switch position 1, the front, rear and side vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the parking lamps for parking.
▶ The parking lamps drain the battery. Do not leave them switched on for long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer be possible to start the engine. It is preferable to switch on the roadside parking lamps on one side.
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control*
In switch position 3, the system activates the low beams and switches them on or off in response to changes in ambient light conditions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Light Control* is active.
The LED next to the symbol lights up when the low beams are on. You can activate the daytime running lamps. In the above-mentioned situations, the system then switches to the low beams. A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can cause the lights to be switched on.
▶ The low beams remain switched on independent of the ambient lighting conditions when you switch on the fog 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 sensors
cannot detect fog of hazy weather. To avoid safety risks, you should always switch on the low beams manually under these conditions.
Welcome lamps
If you leave the light switch in position 2 or 3 when parking the vehicle, then when you unlock the vehicle, the parking lamps and interior lighting remain illuminated for a brief time.
Activating/deactivating welcome lamps
- “Settings”
- “Lighting”
- “Welcome light”
✓ The welcome lamps are switched on. The setting is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after switching off the ignition with the lamps switched off, the low beams come on and remain on for a certain time. You can set the duration or deactivate the function via iDrive.
- “Settings”
- “Lighting”
- “Pathway lighting:”
- Set or deactivate the duration.
The setting is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Daytime running lamps*
The daytime running lamps light up in positions 0, 1 and 3. If the light switch remains in position 1,the parking lamps light up after the ignition is switched off.
Activating/deactivating daytime running lamps*
- “Settings”
- “Lighting”
- “Daytime running lamps”
✓ The daytime running lamps are switched on.
The setting is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Adaptive Light Control*
The concept
Adaptive Light Control 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.
In tight curves at speeds up to approx. 45 mph/70 km/h, e.g. on mountainous roads or when negotiating curves, turning lamps are switched on that light up the inside area of the curve.
Activating Adaptive Light Control
With the ignition switched on, turn the light switch into position 3. The turning lamps are automatically switched on depending on the steering angle or the use of turn signals.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive Light Control directs light towards the front passenger side when the vehicle is at a standstill. When driving in reverse, only the turning lamps are active and illuminate the outer area of curves.
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.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or down beyond the resistance point, arrow 3.
▶ The roadside parking lamps drain the battery. Do not leave them switched on for long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer be possible to start the engine.
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction up to the resistance point, arrow 3.
High-beam Assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high beams on and off. A sensor on the front side of the inside rearview mirror controls the process. The assistant makes sure that the high beams are switched on whenever traffic conditions permit. This relieves you of the burden of constantly switching back and forth and simultaneously provides you with the best possible visibility. Naturally, you can intervene at any time to switch the high beams on and off as usual.
Activating system
- Turn the light switch to position 3
- With the low beams switched on, briefly press the turn signal lever in the high-beam
direction.
The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up when the High-beam Assistant is activated. The system
automatically switches between high beams and low beams, reacting to oncoming traffic, vehicles ahead of you, and sufficiently lit areas, e.g., in built-up zones.
Manually switching between high beams and low beams
If you wish or the situation requires, you can intervene at any time.
- If the High-beam Assistant has switched on the high beams, but you wish to use the low beams, just switch on the low beams with the turn signal lever. This deactivates the High-beam Assistant. In order to reactivate the system, briefly press the turn signal lever in the high-beam direction.
- If the High-beam Assistant has switched on the low beams, but you wish to use the high beams, simply switch on the high beams as usual. This deactivates the system and it is up to you to switch back to low beams. In order to reactivate the system, briefly press the turn signal lever in the high-beam direction.
- When the low beams are on, use the headlamp flasher as usual.
System limits
⚠ The High-beam Assistant is designed to maximize the amount of time that high beams can be safely used and to quickly switch back to low beams when traffic approaches. The system cannot completely replace driver
intervention when unusual conditions are encountered. For this reason, switch to low beams when circumstances so dictate. Failure to do so can pose a safety risk.
Below are a few examples of situations in which the system may not react or may only function
to a limited degree, requiring personal intervention:
- in extremely unfavorable weather conditions such as fog or heavy precipitation
- in sensing road users with poor inherent illumination such as pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians, horse-drawn vehicles, railroad or shipping traffic close to the road, and at deer crossings
- in tight curves, on steep crests or dips, with cross-traffic, or with partially hidden oncoming traffic on divided highways
- in poorly illuminated areas and in the presence of 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 inside rearview mirror
- when the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor on the front side of the inside rearview mirror with a cloth slightly moistened with glass cleaner
Moreover, no system can operate without limitations. High-beam Assistant operation is subject to conditions that may reduce the system’s ability to recognize the difference between actual vehicle head lamps or tail lamps and, for example, highly reflective signs, markers, and streetlights. To be on the safe side, the system may periodically interpret these situations as conditions that require low beams. Below are some of the situations in which premature switching to low beams can occur:
- approaching large and/or highly reflective signs
- approaching certain lights, such as driveway lighting and porch lights
- approaching certain traffic signals
- approaching large reflective markers
In these situations, the system may interpret the above conditions as a vehicle ahead requiring a switch to low beams. When the conditions return to normal, the system will reactivate the high beams.
The High-beam Assistant cannot replace the driver’s responsibility for complying with state laws on high-beam switching or for adapting to visibility and traffic conditions.
Switching off via iDrive
- “Settings”
- “Lighting”
- “High beam assistant”
✓ High beam assistant is activated and is stored for the remote control currently in use.
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 whenever the fog lamps are 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 when
you switch on the fog lamps.
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using the thumbwheel.
Interior lamps
Control of the interior lamps, footwell lamps, door entry lighting, courtesy lamps* and the cargo bay lamps* is automatic. With the courtesy lamps, LED lights are provided in the outside rearview mirrors to illuminate the exterior area around the doors.
▶ To protect the battery, all lamps in the vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min utes after radio readiness is switched off.
Switching interior lamps on and off manually
Press the button.
If the interior lamps, footwell lamps, door entry lighting and courtesy lamps are to remain switched off continually, press the button for approx. 3 seconds.
Reading lamps
Reading lamps are located in the front and rear adjacent to the interior lamps. Press the button to switch the lamps on and off.