[lobeydosser]

I use the Clyde tunnel quite a bit and normally have auto lights selected on my 320d with halogen headlights. On entering the tunnel the headlights come on instantly, and the dials and the little display panel turn red.

On leaving the tunnel the display panel returns to white straight away, then the dials do the same.
However the headlights remain on for about a mile (or roughly 2 minutes) after the car is back in bright daylight. (I was going to say blazing sunshine but it is Glasgow!)

Anyway does this correspond to other people's experience, or should the lights go off much quicker, as I would prefer?

[RobUK]

I get this, most often in bright sunlight - exit from a tunnel and the dial illumination goes off almost straightaway but the headlights stay on for a while. Heard it was a 'safety feature' making you easier to spot if drivers coming toward you are blinded by the sun?

[jadnashuanh]

Most of the dash lights are LED's that pretty much don't care about on/off cycles. The headlights do...I think part of it is to account for the possibility that they may need to come on again if the illumination was a short opening, or something similar. Keeping them on for a bit would probably bridge that gap and save that on/off cycle, potentially preserving the bulbs. Bulbs almost never fail while constantly on, typically when you first turn them on, so it's not a bad idea to minimize that.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by jadnashuanh

Most of the dash lights are LED's that pretty much don't care about on/off cycles. The headlights do...I think part of it is to account for the possibility that they may need to come on again if the illumination was a short opening, or something similar. Keeping them on for a bit would probably bridge that gap and save that on/off cycle, potentially preserving the bulbs. Bulbs almost never fail while constantly on, typically when you first turn them on, so it's not a bad idea to minimize that.

That's my thinking as well.

It sounds like a built in delay for when you have in and out of shade / dark.

[HiBee]

I'm quite surprised in the delay. I have gone through /under a short motorway overbridge, for the head lights to come on. It's around 10 mins before they go back off, even in brilliant sunshine. Always on auto. One off my niggles with the adaptive lights.

[FSE23]

I noticed exactly the same thing last week when going through the Clyde tunnel.

[lobeydosser]

Many thanks, gentlemen (and/or ladies).
Looks like that's just how it works, although the delay seems unnecessarily long to me.
Maybe it's to take account of the frequent tunnels in Switzerland and Italy.

[MWA]

Same thing happens to me too! thanks OP for starting this thread as I was starting to think, there was a problem..

[SkyJawa]

My E92 stays on a while once activated. I much prefer it to my Wifes Golf which flick on and off instantly. If driving down a country road with sun and shade they can flip on and off all the time making it look like you keep flashing people lol!!!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

My E92 stays on a while once activated. I much prefer it to my Wifes Golf which flick on and off instantly. If driving down a country road with sun and shade they can flip on and off all the time making it look like you keep flashing people lol!!!

Is that with xenons on the Golf?

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by jadnashuanh

Most of the dash lights are LED's that pretty much don't care about on/off cycles. The headlights do...I think part of it is to account for the possibility that they may need to come on again if the illumination was a short opening, or something similar. Keeping them on for a bit would probably bridge that gap and save that on/off cycle, potentially preserving the bulbs. Bulbs almost never fail while constantly on, typically when you first turn them on, so it's not a bad idea to minimize that.

I was thinking this really, don't want headlights popping on and off the second a sensor says its light again.

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Is that with xenons on the Golf?

Yep. Can't be good for the life of them!!

[PurpleTT]

Originally Posted by MWA

Same thing happens to me too! thanks OP for starting this thread as I was starting to think, there was a problem..

Ditto!

With me, it's leaving the garage in the morning. Turn engine on, dim garage = headlights activated. Move out onto the drive and it can be a good 10 mins before they turn off.

I confess I manually switch to "0" (at 12 o'clock) as it just doesn't feel right having the headlights on in bright sunshine.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Yep. Can't be good for the life of them!!

Nope not with the currents involved.

Effectively it's very rapid heating and cooling.

As I don't can't see either front of car or rear, I don't mind if 2 mins or 10 tbh.

Main thing is they activate quickly, the off bit who cares.

I drive with lights on as it is most of time.

Just means you can be spotted easier.

[MWA]

Originally Posted by PurpleTT

I confess I manually switch to "0" (at 12 o'clock) as it just doesn't feel right having the headlights on in bright sunshine.

+1

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Nope not with the currents involved.

Effectively it's very rapid heating and cooling.

As I don't can't see either front of car or rear, I don't mind if 2 mins or 10 tbh.

Main thing is they activate quickly, the off bit who cares.

I drive with lights on as it is most of time.

Just means you can be spotted easier.

Completely agree - who cares when they turn off!

We tend to have it turned off in the Golf (not just because its not good for the life expectancy) as not only do they turn on and off all the time but with the RNS sat nav in the centre console it changes it from day to night colours when the lights come on and it gets very irritating as it flicks between the modes in unison with the lights!!!!