Lighting and light signaling (BMW 5 Series E39)

Parking lights and low beam

Parking lights

Low beam / Xenon headlights

If you turn off the ignition while the low beam is on, the parking light will remain on.

Xenon headlights

Xenon headlights illuminate the road in front of the car, as well as its sides, much better and more evenly than conventional halogen headlights.



In xenon headlights, the light is not created by a filament, but by a light arc. A mixture of inert gases and metal vapors in a quartz flask glows under the influence of high voltage. Then a lower voltage is applied to the resulting light arc. When the light is turned on, a certain inertia is noticeable. Maximum brightness is reached in about 15 seconds.

Xenon headlights improve visibility in poor weather conditions and difficult road situations, such as when driving at night in the rain on a road under reconstruction without markings.

Xenon headlights significantly contribute to road safety, as they allow the driver to more easily see, for example, pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists moving along the right edge of the roadway.

Warning about lights not turned off

When you turn the key to position 0, a buzzer sounds for a few seconds to remind you that the lighting has not been turned off.

For vehicles with alphanumeric display of the automatic diagnostic system: the reminder is displayed on the display.

Light for daytime movement

If desired, the light switch can be left in the second fixed position. In this case, when the ignition is turned off, the exterior lighting will also go out.

In some modifications, daytime running lights are automatically switched on when the ignition key is turned to position 2, if the light switch is in position 0.

Instrument lighting

The brightness of the backlight is adjusted by rotating the knurled wheel.

Adjusting the headlight angle

The low beam direction can be adjusted according to the vehicle load, which helps to avoid blinding oncoming drivers with headlights.

Data in brackets refers to driving with a trailer.

• 0 (1) = 1-2 persons without luggage
• 1 (1) = 5 persons without luggage
• 1 (2) = 5 people with luggage
• 2 (2) = 1 person, the car trunk is fully loaded

Vehicles with level control: position 0, regardless of load.

Exception: 1 person, full trunk, driving with a trailer - position 1.

Observe the permissible axle load standards for the rear axle of the vehicle.

Light signal / parking lights

Parking lights left or right

With the ignition key in position 0, move the turn signal switch lever to the desired position. It will lock in the position corresponding to the turn signal being on.

Fog light switch

Fog lights

When the fog lights are on, a green indicator light on the instrument panel lights up.

Rear fog lights

When the rear fog lights are on, a yellow indicator light also lights up on the instrument panel.

Fog lights and rear fog lights

Follow the rules governing the use of fog lights.

Interior lighting

Interior lighting is controlled automatically.

Manual switching on and off of interior lighting

Press the key (shown by arrow). If the interior light needs to be turned off for a long time, hold the button down for about 3 seconds.

To cancel this mode, simply press the key.

Footwell Lights

Their operation is similar to that of interior lighting.

Individual lighting lamps

The individual lighting lamps located at the front next to the interior light, as well as in the rear seat area, can be switched on and off using the buttons located next to the corresponding lamps after turning the ignition key to position 1.

To prevent the battery from discharging, all interior lights will be switched off approximately 15 minutes after the ignition key is turned to position 0.