BMW 2006 5 Series Owner's Manual page 105

High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off again. A sensor on the front of
the inside rearview mirror controls the process.
The assistant ensures that the high beams are
switched on whenever the traffic situation
allows. This reduces the strain on you while at
the same time providing you with the best pos-
sible visibility. Of course, you can intervene at
any time and switch the high beams on and off
in the accustomed manner.
Activating high-beam assistant
1. Turn the light switch to switch position 3,
refer to page 101.
2. Press the turn signal lever in the high beam
direction with the low beams switched on.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high-beam
assistant is activated. The assistant
automatically switches between high and low
beams, whereby the system reacts to oncom-
ing traffic and traffic ahead, as well as to suffi-
cient lighting, e.g. towns/cities.
Manually switching between high and
low beams
You can intervene at any time if you wish or the
situation requires.
> If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the high beams, however you nevertheless
want to use the low beams, simply switch to
the low beams with the turn signal lever.
The high-beam assistant is deactivated in
the process.
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 012 211 - © 02/06 BMW AG
To reactivate the system, briefly press the
turn signal lever in the high beam direction
again.
> If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the low beams, however you nevertheless
want to use the high beams, switch to the
high beams in the accustomed manner. The
system is deactivated in the process and
you must switch to the low beams manually.
To reactivate the system, briefly press the
turn signal lever in the high beam direction
again.
> You use the headlamp flasher as usual with
low beams.
System limits
The high-beam assistant cannot replace
personal decisions on the benefits of
using the high beams. In situations which
require this, you should therefore switch to the
low beams manually to avoid a safety
In the following example situations, the system
does not operate or only with limitations and a
personal reaction may be required:
> Under extremely unfavorable weather con-
ditions, such as fog or heavy precipitation
> For perceiving road users with poor lighting
of their own, e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, peo-
ple on horseback, horse-drawn vehicles,
with train or ship traffic close to the road and
wild animals crossing the road
> In tight curves, on steep crowns or depres-
sions, with cross traffic or partially con-
cealed oncoming traffic on the freeway
> In poorly lit places and with highly reflective
signs
> In the low speed range
> When the windshield is fogged up, dirty or
covered with stickers, vignettes etc. in the
area of the inside rearview mirror
> When the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor
on the front side of the inside rearview mir-
ror with a cloth moistened with a small
amount of glass cleaner
risk.<
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