[jonzilla23]

Hi, I just got an E92 with the Coldweather Package... I don't know but I looked through the manual and couldn't find out how to turn on the headlamp washer. Maybe i'm just a n00b, but does anyone know how to turn it on?

[bimdaddy]

I think they spray the same time you spray the windshield. Can't do them separately. Anyone......?

[Back in a Subie]

ya, like you pull the stalk back to spray your wind shield, if you hold it down for an extra second or so it will wash your headlights too.

you will see the spray off your headlights letting you know they are working

[Ackrite]

I believe the auto headlamp washers trigger every 3rd (or so) time you use your windshield washer squirts. I concur with my other brethren that there is no way to override this function.

Granted this is coming from an e46 owner, however I don't believe this changed between the two gens. If it did, please have the jury strike this comment from memory.

Peace!

[sinnet112]

I disconnected the fuse for this function because the headlamp washers overspray and get it all over the hood. But yes, it's every third time you spray your windshield.

[jonzilla23]

Oh okay thanks... I thought there would be a separate function to spray the headlights, guess not.

[japac1]

The manual says the headlamp washers work every few times you use the windshield washers, however, mine always seem to work everytime I clean the windshield. If you turn off the headlights, then use the windshield washer, the headlamp washer will not activate. I personally hate having washer fluid squirt all over the front end.

[jngjng72]

Headlights have to be on for the headlight washers to activiate. Otherwise only the windshield washers are activated.

[Lassaxi]

Don't know about anyone else's car, but if my headlights are on, they get washed every time I wash my windows. If my headlights are off, they don't get washed. I think it's generally a helpful feature, but sometimes I don't want to waste the washer fluid on the headlights, so I'll turn them off before washing the windshield.

[TJW]

Originally Posted by jngjng72

Headlights have to be on for the headlight washers to activiate. Otherwise only the windshield washers are activated.

Is this true of the 'Auto' light setting as well? So far it seems my headlamps always get washed when I do the windshield...even in the daytime...is it the DRLs causing this?

[slick101]

Originally Posted by TJW

Is this true of the 'Auto' light setting as well? So far it seems my headlamps always get washed when I do the windshield...even in the daytime...is it the DRLs causing this?

i think it turns on when in 'auto' position when the headlamps go on...if u switch it a click back to just the DRL's the head lamps wont get sprayed... it's funny how u mentioned this coz i was wondering the same thing 2 days ago and decided to test it...

[BK]

If you don't pull back hard on the stalk, it will spray the windshield but not the headlamps -- regardless of whether the lights are on, whether it is the third time you've done it, or whatever. At least, mine works that way and I doubt it's different for the 07 or 08.

We had another thread about this where some people disagreed with the above statement, but I've gone back and verified that it DOES work this way on my car. No need to disable the headlamp washers if you don't like them.

[KillDork]

Originally Posted by TJW

Is this true of the 'Auto' light setting as well? So far it seems my headlamps always get washed when I do the windshield...even in the daytime...is it the DRLs causing this?

The lights (seems) to always get sprayed the first time you use the washer after you start the car, and then every third time following.

[TJW]

Originally Posted by BK

If you don't pull back hard on the stalk, it will spray the windshield but not the headlamps -- regardless of whether the lights are on, whether it is the third time you've done it, or whatever. At least, mine works that way and I doubt it's different for the 07 or 08.

We had another thread about this where some people disagreed with the above statement, but I've gone back and verified that it DOES work this way on my car. No need to disable the headlamp washers if you don't like them.

I tried this. I did work for a quick spray of the windshield...but the wipers didn't activate. I then had to tap down once for them to wipe.

When you pull back gently, are the windshield wipers engaging or just the spray?

[BK]

Originally Posted by TJW

I tried this. I did work for a quick spray of the windshield...but the wipers didn't activate. I then had to tap down once for them to wipe.

When you pull back gently, are the windshield wipers engaging or just the spray?

Yes - just the spray. You have to then make the wipers wipe. But at least it avoids the headlamp washers this way without having to disable them.

Pulling back harder on the stalk will spray and activate the wipers, but it will also activate the headlamp sprayers (if the lights are on).

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

If your lights are on, it washes the headlamps every time.
If your DRL's are on, it won't wash the headlamps. It will only wash your windshield.

[midlife]

Originally Posted by sinnet112

I disconnected the fuse for this function because the headlamp washers overspray and get it all over the hood. But yes, it's every third time you spray your windshield.

great idea, which fuse # do you rmember?

thanks

[BMdblU]

Originally Posted by sinnet112

I disconnected the fuse for this function because the headlamp washers overspray and get it all over the hood. But yes, it's every third time you spray your windshield.

+1

They are useless on any car IMO

[Xiaofeng]

Wow, there are lots of theories for this, although some of what you guys have mentioned is incorrect, or I simply cannot reproduce your outcome. Please allow me to explain what I have personally found to be true through various testing on my 2007 E90. No experience on other years or models, so YMMV.


1) Headlight washers only wash when the headlights are on.
2) Headlight washers do not wash when you have DRLs on only.
3) Headlight washers do not wash every time you wash the windshield (with lights on).
4) Headlight washers might not** wash every third time you wash the windshield.
5) Headlight washers will wash the first time you wash your windshield after the lights have been turned on.

(** I have tried this scenario many times, expecting the washers to wash every third (or fourth or fifth) time, but in my tests, it does not occur. I have tried washing the windshield multiple times in a row, about 5 seconds apart between each spray, and the only time it washes the headlights is the first time. I have tried it about 30 seconds apart between each spray, and the only time it washes the headlights is the first time. I have not tried waiting a longer period than that, as I have a life. )


Given my testing, I have found that the headlight washers are likely tied to some sort of timer. The first time that you wash your windshield with your lights on, the headlight washers will wash the headlights. After that, once a certain (currently unknown) amount of time has passed, then the headlight washers will reactivate, possibly with every third spray. Once the headlight washers are activated again, then the timer is reset and begins countdown again.

Again, this testing is done on a 2007 E90, although I would assume that BMW probably had the sanity to keep the headlight washing algorithm the same for every E9x model. However, because I have not personally tested this on any other model, YMMV.

[Xiaofeng]

Originally Posted by BMdblU

+1

They are useless on any car IMO

I respectfully disagree with this statement. I have found that the only time I really need to wash my windshield is when significant crud has built up on the windshield already, and in such instances, my car is already pretty dirty. Therefore, the overspray is non-consequential. When the headlight washers do operate, I can often tell a difference in brightness for my headlights, so I know they actually are cleaning some of the gunk off. They also work well then there is snow built up on your headlights, as the washer fluid acts as a deicer and clears up some of the snow. All in all, I like the feature.

Of course, this is just my personal opinion.

[rwg]

If you live where it snows, they can mean the difference between seeing and not seeing. HIDs burn cold - and don't melt ice and snow that piles up in front of them (unlike halogens). The washers can clean that crud off.

If you live is San Diego . . . they aren't quite so necessary.

[BK]

FWIW, I like the headlamp washers and I use them from time to time. I don't worry about overspray because I wouldn't be using them if my car wasn't covered with crap to begin with.

I do want to add, however, to the following, and repeat what I said above:

Originally Posted by Xiaofeng

1) Headlight washers only wash when the headlights are on.
2) Headlight washers do not wash when you have DRLs on only.
3) Headlight washers do not wash every time you wash the windshield (with lights on).
4) Headlight washers might not** wash every third time you wash the windshield.
5) Headlight washers will wash the first time you wash your windshield after the lights have been turned on.

Pull lightly on the stalk, and the wiper fluid sprays on the windshield but the headlamp washers don't spray. It doesn't matter if it's the first time you wash your windshield after the lights turn on, or the third time, or the tenth time, or whatever. It sprays the windshield only.

This is why I don't get pulling the fuse. If you don't want to spray the headlights, you don't need to.