Headlights staying on question

[Jp_Austin]

I have noticed that when I start the car in the morning in my garage, the headlights come on (as expected since the switch is in position 1). I also notice they do not shut off even after my 6 mi drive to work in the sun (not expected). Has anyone else noticed this? (Its an '06 650i)

[Surdy]

I believe they are daylight running lights that can be programmed to "turn off" by the dealer or somebody more knowledgeable than me!

[shvt]

Mine does the same. The sensor is too sensitive, you have to have the dealer adjust it so that it turns on when it's getting dark. I asked the dealer and they said it would take a couple hours to do so make an appointment. My buddy's 330 had the same problem at the beginning.

[chuck92103]

Yes mine does it too, my 330 did it as well.

If I clean the windshield it works fine. Any speck of dirt on the sensor impacts the sensor's light reading.

[Uncle Fester]

Mine does this. I just turn them off.

[hipertec]

same here. I was just thinking the same question on the way to work. Might have to make an appt with the dealer.

[Southern6er]

I have DRL's set to run, but thought that the halogens (inner) should be the ones lit. If I get into a darker spot, the xenons come on, but never shut off. Is this the situation you guys are talking about?

[Jp_Austin]

I have DRL's set to run, but thought that the halogens (inner) should be the ones lit. If I get into a darker spot, the xenons come on, but never shut off. Is this the situation you guys are talking about?

Yes, I start in a "dark place", my garage, and they stay on even in the sun. An update. Today they turned off. II noticed that it was about 15 degrees warmer (60F vs 45F) when I drove into work today (also had the top down, but I can't image how that would be related to the lights staying on). BTW, I don't think US spec 650's have daytime running lights (at least not the Xe's).

[Nevervana]

Is having the lights on all the time bad? The car looks significantly cooler with headlights on in the daytime. My Passat didn't even have an "off" switch for the headlights. They were on 100% of the time. So I got used to it. Now I actually turn them on intentionally, during the day. I used to have a complex about people who did that, but after 3 years with no off switch, I don't mind it as much.

[Malibubimmer]

Is having the lights on all the time bad? The car looks significantly cooler with headlights on in the daytime. My Passat didn't even have an "off" switch for the headlights. They were on 100% of the time. So I got used to it. Now I actually turn them on intentionally, during the day. I used to have a complex about people who did that, but after 3 years with no off switch, I don't mind it as much.
The bulbs may burn out faster, though from what I've read it's not the "on time" so much as the switching from "on" to "off" and vice versa that eventually causes Xenon lights to fail.

[Nevervana]

Hmmm. Asked this same question on the Audi forums a couple years back. Same basic headlights. They said no problem. I've run them "on" every day all day for the last 3 years and no burnouts or problems so far. Hopefully will be the same for the BMW.

[chuck92103]

Hmmm. Asked this same question on the Audi forums a couple years back. Same basic headlights. They said no problem. I've run them "on" every day all day for the last 3 years and no burnouts or problems so far. Hopefully will be the same for the BMW.

No worries, you are leasing, and maintenance is free.

[cobradav]

Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are your same Halogen Lights used as "Flash to Pass" when pulling on stalk. Dealer programable only to be set on as DRL with default off. They off course are more yellow in appearance, especially as DRLs as that is less voltage than when used in Flash mode. Your normal low and high beams are the same Xenon bulb with a lens that flips to give you low/high, hence the term bi-xenon.