Auto Headlight sensor too sensitive?
 

Anyone else find that their headlights are on during the day quite often? Seems like they're on randomly at times. During perfect sunny california days, not going under an overpass, or a tunnel - and they just turn on, and stay on till I reach my destination.

This is my first BMW, so I'm not sure if this is like the "double-pull" bmw-ism.

After I noticed the lights on so often, I started noticing other BMWs particularly the E70/71's have theirs on more often than not as well. Could we share the sensors? It doesn't seem like its the same throughout the lineup.

Not a huge issue, just more curious than anything.:)

It annoys me, so I just don't put it on AUTO anymore.

I agree. Very annoying, I find this feature in a large city, with traffic, useless.

Potential cause - do all of you have window tints? I'm wondering if that affects the light sensor sensitivity. So it thinks it is darker than it actually is.

I've never noticed it being an issue for me. But I'll pay more attention.

No tint windows here.

The same thing in my last GL550 Mercedes (2011). I do not ever keep mine on AUTO. I hate the way the Xenons or LED lights come on in the garage, and then turn off when pulling out of the garage. It seems bad for the units. Annoying. I turn my headlights on when I want them on, and off when I want them off. Simple :)

Every time HID's are turned on and off you are taking off useful life from them! Repeated on and off movement takes off even more life!

To the OP, the setting for sensitivity should be able to be changed via programming at the dealer. I doubt it'll be free but it'll fix it to your liking.

Isn't that the same with most components? I doubt that it is significant, and that the benefits of the feature outweigh the negatives. As to it going on in the garage, yes that is a valid issue. But what else can they do, auto wise? They have the override in place, so they have that taken care of.

Even though this is not directly aimed at the 'Auto' headlight function, maybe this can be of some help.
There is a Service Bulletin related to the high beam assistant(and also lane departure warning): SI B61 01 10 - This bulletin applies to F01, F02 and F07 models with production dates of 3/3/09-9/21/09, where the customer may feel the sensitivity of these systems is either too high or too low. Based on the complaint the dealer will reprogram/update the KAFAS control unit accordingly. :thumbup:

Yea although I probably won't notice the long term effects, the second owner might. I thought about turning them off, and leaving them off unless I'm driving at night. Sorta defeats the purpose of auto headlights.