Active Headlights - Are they working?

Apr 9, 2007 | 02:57 PM

J 2OOI

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Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 527

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From: Indianapolis, IN

2012 JDM

Active Headlights - Are they working?

I have an 04 E55 with the 319 Lighting Package and I am not sure if my lights are functioning correctly.

I have been in a friends BMW 530i and his "active" lights are much more active than mine. In fact, mine don't even appear to move at all. I have heard the BMW's require the lights to be set on "Auto" for the active part to work, so I have tried that on my car to no avail. (I normally turn my lights on manually so I can have the fogs on)

Also, with the BMW, the active lights still work even when the car is in park. Turning the wheel shows obvious movement in the lights. I have read that the MB's must be moving for the active lights to work. So I have set my lights to "Auto" mode and driven and have still not seen movement.

For those of you with the lighting package, is it easy for you to tell that your lights are turning when you turn the wheel? Should I expect to see the lights moving like in the BMW?

Thanks

Apr 9, 2007 | 03:07 PM

ENDSMTG

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From: Chicago, IL

'08 S65, '04 Range Rover(The House), '06 Lexus GS 300(Wifey's), '02 Sea Ray 360 Sundancer

I normally see mine react when I turn into my driveway. If you have a wall or other obstacle that you can judge agaisnt, that's the best indicator. Otherwise, I only notice them when the road is not well lit and very twistie!

Apr 9, 2007 | 03:19 PM

Hazy1

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From: P'cola, FL

'03 E55

I have an '03 with the lighting package and no "active" headlamps. I might be completely wrong, but I don't think '04's have active lights either.

Apr 10, 2007 | 10:24 AM

Dogshine

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CLS55

go into a parking garage with ramps. you can see them moving on the wall as you turn the ramp going up or down the incline

Apr 10, 2007 | 10:27 AM

Benz-O-Rama

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From: Maryland

Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazy1

I have an '03 with the lighting package and no "active" headlamps. I might be completely wrong, but I don't think '04's have active lights either.

04's definitely have them, mine does. They won't move unless you're rolling. I think you have to be going faster than 10 mph? Something like that. I can definitely tell mine are working on dark twisty roads. Obviously on straights or lane changes, you really can't tell.

Apr 10, 2007 | 12:48 PM

psk145

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Joined: May 2004

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From: orange county, ca

2006 E55

my 06 has them, but I dont notice them working at all

Apr 10, 2007 | 02:41 PM

J 2OOI

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Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 527

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From: Indianapolis, IN

2012 JDM

Thanks to everyone who replied!

After I saw the post from "Hazy1" it really got me wondering if my lights were actually "active" or just bi-xenon. Glad to hear Benz-O-Rama say the 04's are active.

I was hoping to get a response from Scott in H-Town since he has owned an M5 and can compare the two with regards to how "active" the lights are. I will probably send him a PM about it later if he doesn't respond under this thread.

Also, my sister has a new Lexus IS 250 (I know she should have got the 350, but she is only 20, so not bad). Anyways her lights are also much more "active" than mine: I can clearly see them moving when she turns.

Last edited by J 2OOI; Apr 10, 2007 at 02:45 PM.