rear daytime running lights?

[nugent]

front ones go on but not rear. has anyone else noticed this?

[emmfive]

I didn't know rear DRL's existed.

[Tigumz]

Originally Posted by chrisratz

I didn't know rear DRL's existed.

This. Perhaps you may be referring to rear fog lights?

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by Tigumz

This. Perhaps you may be referring to rear fog lights?

Yea rear daytime lights make no sense as they are red and glare shouldnt affect seeing them.

[bobblehead]

OP is referring to rear fog light (standard in Europe) and there is a thread over the 5 forum couple of years ago that you can buy the switch and activate them.

The rear fog light is simply brighter as if the brakes are being applied ... for us North American, it's pretty annoying thinking what the heck is this guy riding his brakes.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=597179

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

OP is referring to rear fog light (standard in Europe) and there is a thread over the 5 forum couple of years ago that you can buy the switch and activate them.

The rear fog light is simply brighter as if the brakes are being applied ... for us North American, it's pretty annoying thinking what the heck is this guy riding his brakes.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=597179

I have had these on my past car but its always been just one light that is brighter - which makes it look like a brake light is broken.

[Poleposition]

I think the OP is referring to exactly what he said, rear DRL's. My M3's factory DRL's include the front angel eyes of course AND the rear tails. Although on my X6, the tails dont light up from the DRL setting. It's just for the angel eyes.

[nugent]

Originally Posted by Poleposition

I think the OP is referring to exactly what he said, rear DRL's. My M3's factory DRL's include the front angel eyes of course AND the rear tails. Although on my X6, the tails dont light up from the DRL setting. It's just for the angel eyes.

that's right.it's not the fog lights. if you look at other bimmers during daytime there are rear drls. like on e9x m3 and current f10 5 series. just curious why m5s don't light up.

[AP]

they can be coded on. Search he forums for coding and DRLs. There are about 7 options .
My car (non m5) is the same and belive this has been teh case since early 2011 when EU laws changed. Prior to that he F10 had both fron and rear DRls on.
But as I say you can code it using E-SYS.
A fellow forumite coded my car with rears on, so its can be done if you want that.

[nugent]

Originally Posted by AP

they can be coded on. Search he forums for coding and DRLs. There are about 7 options .
My car (non m5) is the same and belive this has been teh case since early 2011 when EU laws changed. Prior to that he F10 had both fron and rear DRls on.
But as I say you can code it using E-SYS.
A fellow forumite coded my car with rears on, so its can be done if you want that.

that makes sense. thanks bro. anyone in San Jose area people know can code this?

[dr.skp.ortho]

Originally Posted by nugent

front ones go on but not rear. has anyone else noticed this?

I have only ever seen DRLs on the front.

[AP]

it varies per country.
In the UK pre Feb ( I think) 2011, the rear lights were on at the same time as DRLs. post that time in the UK (I suspect most otehr EU countries), just the front DRls are on.
In sweden I belive both DRls and rear tail lights are on at the same time. Other scandavian contries might alos be the same.
Some countries I belive have reduced main beam as their DRls as opposed to the LED DRLs. As I say there are 7 options that can be coded including an 8th of off.
I've pasted in the options here which a fellow member has posted up in the form of a f10 cheat sheet (google that and you'll find it)my car a April 2012 build had option 7 out of teh factory but now has option 4.

0: DRL disabled; 1: DRL_H via beam, halogen U.S. (without lights); 2: DRL_L via low beam; 3: DRL_S via separate TFLeuchte; U.S. Xenon (rings +
bottom); 4: TFL_S via separate TFLeuchte; ECE Xenon (rings + bottom); 5: TFL_ECE (North Country Comfort); 6: DRL_S_ohne_SL via separate
TFLeuchte without taillight / tail lights, U.S.; 7: TFL_S_ohne_SL via separate TFLeuchte without tail light / rear light, ECE

[Boss330]

DRL (Daytime Running Lights) is basically part of a harmoniztion of European law. The Scandinavian countries have had national legislation requiring DRL since the '80ies. That requirement was based on research that proved that accidents decreased if lights was on at all times during the day (the vehicle became visible sooner to oncoming traffic or any other traffic for that matter).

Some european countries had national legislation that made it illegal to drive with the lights on during daytime...

EU "bought" the Scandinavian argument and made it mandatory to have DRL to get a EU-type approval on any vehicle.

DRL was mandatory for both front and rear lights, i.e the tail lights would switch on together with the front lights. Most cars just used the low beam and tail lights as DRL.

Then BMW started using the angel eyes (corona rings) with increased illumination as DRL together with the tail lights.

More recently LED technology, and increasing efforts to save fuel, combined with lobbying from manufacturers made EU change it''s legislation so that the tail lights may not be switched on when DRL is on. The argument not being traffic safety, but saving fuel (as less use of electricity means less fuel is burned).

So, having no rear DRL is just a measure to save fuel... (wonder how much this really improves your MPG though???)

[AP]

how many cars do you see being driven around around dusk or very dull condiftions or even at night! now with just front drls and no back lights....

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by AP

how many cars do you see being driven around around dusk or very dull condiftions or even at night! now with just front drls and no back lights....

Not sure I understand your question (or is it a statement?), but DRL lights with just front lights on are normally only availale in the "auto" position. Meaning that if it gets dark, you drive through a tunnel etc, the low beam lights up as well as the tail lights.

Allmost every new car has that feature. Meaning that new Mercs etc. only have the DRL front lights switched on during daytime (no rear lights).

Some cars have less sensitive light sensors and you can have some cars driving with just front DRL's in the fog (like our Peugeot at work).

[nugent]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Not sure I understand your question (or is it a statement?), but DRL lights with just front lights on are normally only availale in the "auto" position. Meaning that if it gets dark, you drive through a tunnel etc, the low beam lights up as well as the tail lights.

Allmost every new car has that feature. Meaning that new Mercs etc. only have the DRL front lights switched on during daytime (no rear lights).

Some cars have less sensitive light sensors and you can have some cars driving with just front DRL's in the fog (like our Peugeot at work).

that makes sense. I do like the look of the lci's though.

[AP]

drls if you have xenons are on with the switch in the 'O' and auto setting.

Its just a comment that I've seen many cars , not just BMW, driving along when the conditions warrented lights but they just had front drls on .
Whether people are assuming that because they have some illumination at the fornt and that probably their dash board is lit up, they have rear lights as well?
I just think the change the EU made for the sake of miniscule saving in fuel is a safety issue.
Anyway getgin back to the original point of this thread - its been explained why the cars are the way they are and if you want to change it, it can be coded if you desire.

[stealth.pilot]

I have heard that when you put in the rear fog light mod, it also activates the rear DRL mode.

[wdimagineer]

Nugent - I'm in SF and can help you with coding if you'd like.

[King_Hendrik_CDN]

Originally Posted by nugent

front ones go on but not rear. has anyone else noticed this?

Hey. Yeah. I noticed it. I had a 2011 X5M. And my rear tail lights are always on. And I had tinted my tail lights and it worked out well. After I bought the new M5, I have noticed that the tail lights are not on at all times. I tinted my tail lights too on my M5, I'm curious if I can code it to have it on.

[falsalem]

Originally Posted by King_Hendrik_CDN

Hey. Yeah. I noticed it. I had a 2011 X5M. And my rear tail lights are always on. And I had tinted my tail lights and it worked out well. After I bought the new M5, I have noticed that the tail lights are not on at all times. I tinted my tail lights too on my M5, I'm curious if I can code it to have it on.

Can be done with the Bimmercode App