Automatic Headlight-Range Adjustment

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 46 other vehicles, including the 2008 BMW M5, 2008 BMW 650i, 2007 BMW Z4, 2007 BMW M6, and 2007 BMW M5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

If the special equipment "Adaptive headlights" is fitted, the control unit for adaptive headlights also controls the automatic headlight-range adjustment.

The automatic headlight-range adjustment adapts the headlight range for different operating conditions. Variations in the vehicle tilt angle are produced by vehicle loads and braking or acceleration in extreme driving situations. The automatic headlight-range adjustment moves the headlights up and down as required.

The control unit for adaptive headlights also controls the automatic headlight-range adjustment as follows.

The ride-height sensors and the brake light switch supply the signals for the automatic headlight-range adjustment.
The control unit for adaptive headlights computes the vehicle inclination (longitudinally to the roadway) from the signals.
The stepper motors for the automatic headlight-range adjustment automatically and dynamically control the headlight range.
The headlight range is adjusted so that the actual headlight range conforms to the legally required headlight range as follows:
- If vehicle rear is lower than front:
  The actual headlight range will be longer than the legally stipulated range. The headlight beam is lowered to reduce the headlight range to match the legal requirement.
- If the vehicle is horizontal:
  The actual headlight range will be the same as the legally stipulated range.
- If vehicle front is lower than rear:
  The actual headlight range will be shorter than the legally stipulated range. The headlight beam is raised to increase the headlight range to match the legal requirement.