3 Series E46 318Ci (N46) COUPE
The adaptive headlights turn the bi-xenon headlights towards the inside of a bend when cornering. This improves
illumination of the curve of the road.
Visibility is therefore improved.
When cornering, the driver is not looking into a "black hole" - instead, the adaptive headlights allow the driver to see
the curve of the road.
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E46/2, E46/C, E53 and
E83 until 09/2006
[system overview ...]
>
E83 from 09/2006
[system overview]
Note: AHL control unit discontinued from 09/2006.
On the E83 from 09/2006, the software for the AHL control unit is integrated into the light module (LM). The
AHL control unit is no longer fitted.
The turning lights function is new on the E83 from 09/2006.
The turning lights give the area next to the carriageway additional illumination when you are turning or cornering
(driving in tight bends). The function is also active when you are parking.
The turning lights are realised using the front foglights. The front foglights have a specially shaped reflector to
illuminate the areas to the sides better.
Note: Turning lights only in conjunction with option 524.
Turning lights are a subfunction of option 524 "Adaptive headlights".
Brief description of components
The following components and control units provide input signals for the adaptive headlights system:
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Light switch
The rotary switch for the side lights and dipped headlights differs depending on the vehicle equipment level
(adaptive headlights, automatic driving lights control, automatic or manual headlight-range adjustment). For
the adaptive headlights function to operate, the light switch must be set to position "A" ("A" =
"automatic driving lights control" or "adaptive headlights").
[more ...]
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Turn-signal/main-beam switch
The main-beam headlights are switched on and off with the direction indicator / main-beam switch (by pressing
or pulling the switch). The adaptive headlights function operates with both dipped and main-beam headlights.
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Ride-height sensors
If the special equipment "Adaptive headlights" is fitted, the adaptive headlights control unit evaluates the signals
from the ride-height sensors.
This is because: the adaptive headlights control unit also controls the automatic headlight-range adjustment.
The automatic headlight-range adjustment feature adjusts the vertical aim of the headlights to compensate for
variations in the vehicle tilt angle (e.g. when the vehicle is laden, and under braking and acceleration in dynamic
driving situations).
[more ...]
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Brake light switch
If the vehicle is equipped with the "adaptive headlights" option, the signals from the brake light switch are read
by the control unit for the adaptive headlights.
The signal sent by the brake light switch is an input signal for the automatic headlight-range adjustment; see
above: Ride-height sensors.
SBT Adaptive headlights E46/2, E46/C, E53, E83
BMW AG - TIS
08.02.2013 11:45
Issue status (12/2007) Valid only until next DVD is issued
Copyright
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