Re: Funky headlamps

[Richard Welty <rwelty@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 30 Oct 2002 10:44:37 -0500 "Robert A. Virzi" <bob.virzi@domain.elided> wrote:

> I've noticed a number of newer BMWs have headlights that can be in a 
> partially on state.  They look like rings instead of being fully lit 
> up (disks).
> 
> Not sure if I'm explaining this well.  Can anybody tell me what this 
> is?  I have to say it looks pretty neat to see a 5 series coming at 
> you on a twisty road at dawn with these eyes looking out from under 
> the hood.

a lot of euro headlights now have what are called "city lights", which have
an additional wire to the parking light circuit. a small conventional
bulb in the headlight provides low key illumination of the reflector for
visibility reasons. it won't help you see, but it will help others see you.
i just put a set of 7" e-code cibies in an older car, and for an extra
couple of bucks they came with city lights. i had to run an additional
wire on each side, but now my 28 year old (non bmw) coupe has them too.

richard
- --
Richard Welty                                         rwelty@domain.elided
Averill Park Networking                                         518-573-7592
              Unix, Linux, IP Network Engineering, Security

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