[BimmerD]

Hi all,

I have just bought an X3 and loving it a lot apart from some door seals knocking, front passenger seat buzzing and iDrive silver trim rattle

Now I have started to look for more problems and here is another potential one or not. Yesterday I was waiting at a temp traffic light opposite a mirrored show room so I started to admire my car (as we all do) and suddenly noticed that the brake lights aren't on. Basically the traffic lights were about to change so I was just resting my foot on the pedal, to be precise it was around 5-7mm pressed and the moment I pressed it any further the lights came on. So my question is; is it normal to have brake lights off even if you are resting your foot or should it light straight away?

FYI, the car was on D and while holding the brake it was just about holding it self by not moving forward with no brake lights on.

By the way my X3's spec is as follows;

X3 20d X Drive M Sport Auto in Alp9ne white
M Sport Plus pack
Pro media
Reversing camera

Thanks in advance
Saurabh

[Scottiedog]

Originally Posted by Saurabhdutt

Hi all,

I have just bought an X3 and loving it a lot apart from some door seals knocking, front passenger seat buzzing and iDrive silver trim rattle

Now I have started to look for more problems and here is another potential one or not. Yesterday I was waiting at a temp traffic light opposite a mirrored show room so I started to admire my car (as we all do) and suddenly noticed that the brake lights aren't on. Basically the traffic lights were about to change so I was just resting my foot on the pedal, to be precise it was around 5-7mm pressed and the moment I pressed it any further the lights came on. So my question is; is it normal to have brake lights off even if you are resting your foot or should it light straight away?

FYI, the car was on D and while holding the brake it was just about holding it self by not moving forward with no brake lights on.

By the way my X3's spec is as follows;

X3 20d X Drive M Sport Auto in Alp9ne white
M Sport Plus pack
Pro media
Reversing camera

Thanks in advance
Saurabh

Does your car have auto hold and was it on?

[BimmerD]

Originally Posted by Scottiedog

Does your car have auto hold and was it on?

Hi Scottiedog, yes my car has auto hold and it was off at that point.

One more thing, should the brake lights be on with the car is on auto hold?

Sorry I might be asking silli questions as this is my first ever auto.

[troggy1969]

I think the brake lights should be on with autohold. I believe they did on my 2012 one

[ronime]

If the brake pedal switch has a threaded body then the position should be adjustable. Having said that I think you need to push the brake pedal a bit further down to hold the car stationary. The auto gearbox ECU is almost certainly relying on the brake pedal sensor to determine when to decouple the torque converter. You don't want to be burning out the brake bands in the gearbox every time you are obligated to stop at traffic lights.

[BimmerD]

Originally Posted by troggy1969

I think the brake lights should be on with autohold. I believe they did on my 2012 one

Cheers, yes on auto hold the lights do stay on so that sounds pretty normal there. I always wondered if auto hold will burn the brake pads any quicker.

[BimmerD]

Originally Posted by ronime

If the brake pedal switch has a threaded body then the position should be adjustable. Having said that I think you need to push the brake pedal a bit further down to hold the car stationary. The auto gearbox ECU is almost certainly relying on the brake pedal sensor to determine when to decouple the torque converter. You don't want to be burning out the brake bands in the gearbox every time you are obligated to stop at traffic lights.

Thanks for your detailed reply. Very helpful.

[dbramley]

I've got almost the exact same spec and it's a 2016 model, I'll test mine over the weekend and let you know how mine acts.

Ps thankfully no trim issues here, I know how annoying those can be!

[troggy1969]

Originally Posted by Saurabhdutt

Cheers, yes on auto hold the lights do stay on so that sounds pretty normal there. I always wondered if auto hold will burn the brake pads any quicker.

Shouldn't, you only burn brakes when you are moving.

[BimmerD]

Originally Posted by dbramley

I've got almost the exact same spec and it's a 2016 model, I'll test mine over the weekend and let you know how mine acts.

Ps thankfully no trim issues here, I know how annoying those can be!

Cheers dbramley .

[BimmerD]

Originally Posted by troggy1969

Shouldn't, you only burn brakes when you are moving.

Thanks fella.

[dbramley]

Right tested mine, the slightest touch of my brake pedal has the rear lights come on, I found it impossible to lightly touch the pedal and not have the lights on.

I tested it backed up to the garage on a slight incline.

I did notice that's it's hard to see if the brake lights are on from the side - I.e a reflection in shops windows. Perhaps this was it? Can someone stand behind while you test?