Drivers flashing headlights at me during dusk

[cacofonix]

Hi Folks,

I've been wanting to ask this question for a while now, but I noticed that a bunch of times oncoming drivers have flashed their headlights at me. This has happened quite often and in succession (today when driving back, I got 2 oncoming drivers do this to me) just to be a coincidence.

I've checked my headlights, and I always put them in "AUTO", so I am definitely sure the high beams are not turned on.

Has anyone else had this experience? I got out of the car and checked my headlights, and they seem to be fine from what I can tell ...

[jadnashuanh]

Xenons or halogens? The xenons come with self-leveling, and that may be not working correctly. The halogens do not, so depending on what is in the car, they could be pointing too high.

Not sure 'Auto' would prevent it from being on high beam...auto, unless you have the full auto option, only detects when to turn them on, and at least in mine, it seems to go to the last mode, whether low-beam or high-beam. Next time, verify that the high-beam indicator on the dash is off when that happens.

[cacofonix]

Originally Posted by jadnashuanh

Not sure 'Auto' would prevent it from being on high beam...auto, unless you have the full auto option, only detects when to turn them on, and at least in mine, it seems to go to the last mode, whether low-beam or high-beam. Next time, verify that the high-beam indicator on the dash is off when that happens.

Yes! I can confirm that I have never noticed the high beam indicator come on. Possibly a xenon issue ... hmm.

[Vic311]

I get that too, it's probaly because some drivers think our lows are highs. They are bright.

[M3-S65]

When they do that , nail em with the high beams and burn their eyes ...

[LucWerkz]

Originally Posted by cacofonix

Hi Folks,

I've been wanting to ask this question for a while now, but I noticed that a bunch of times oncoming drivers have flashed their headlights at me. This has happened quite often and in succession (today when driving back, I got 2 oncoming drivers do this to me) just to be a coincidence.

I've checked my headlights, and I always put them in "AUTO", so I am definitely sure the high beams are not turned on.

Has anyone else had this experience? I got out of the car and checked my headlights, and they seem to be fine from what I can tell ...

Your car isn't lowered is it?

[cacofonix]

Originally Posted by Red_Baron

Your car isn't lowered is it?

Nope. Stock.

[tinman831]

Are you sure they're flashing you and it's not them bouncing up and down a little? I used to think people flashed their highbeams at me too and it turns out their car is just going up and down so the lights hit my eyes more.

[cacofonix]

Originally Posted by tinman831

Are you sure they're flashing you and it's not them bouncing up and down a little? I used to think people flashed their highbeams at me too and it turns out their car is just going up and down so the lights hit my eyes more.

Yes, sure ... it's not them bouncing.

[Eau Rouge]

Originally Posted by Vic311

I get that too, it's probaly because some drivers think our lows are highs. They are bright.

Indeed

Originally Posted by M3-S65

When they do that , nail em with the high beams and burn their eyes ...

Invariably, a glimpse of the high beams ends the flashing headlights. One can only wonder what goes thru their heads when it occurs to whomever that their assumption was incorrect.

[Palomequet]

It is very common with modern BMW's, it seems that they see 4 headlights and assume you are in high beam. Show to them your actual highs and let them freeze.

[EW///]

They gave you a hint there was a cop hidden ahead of you, slow down or you might get hit with a speeding ticket.

[Wei718]

It is possible that your headlights are aiming too high and blinding oncoming cars hence why they flash their high beams at you. You can test your lights on a flat surface about 50ft away from a wall to see if they're uneven or aimed too high, and while you're doing that test out your high beams to make sure they're not stuck on the high beam position and flips back to low beam.

On a side note! All E90 M3's has xenon and all E92's has xenon's that includes 328, 335.

[Petros]

I get it too. The problem is that the xenon headlight on BMW's are quite bright and some people who are unfamiliar with them think you're using highbeam. I actually had someone once pull up next to me and tell me to switch off the high beam!

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by tto///M3

They gave you a hint there was a cop hidden ahead of you, slow down or you might get hit with a speeding ticket.

+1.

[Amirsm3]

Your auto leveling may be malfunctioning, but I honestly think it's just because people assume your highs are on. You do live in the land of plentiful douches.

[JoeKixxon]

Originally Posted by tto///M3

They gave you a hint there was a cop hidden ahead of you, slow down or you might get hit with a speeding ticket.

Agreed. That was my first thought too.

[tokic_o]

Typically when I get oncoming traffic flashing their high beams at me they are letting me know there are cops ahead and to slow down... at least thats the case up here in Canada lol

[Beemdog]

Originally Posted by Amirsm3

You do live in the land of plentiful douches.

Now that's funny! If we could get that on the sign, "Now entering Xxxxxx, Land of Plentiful Douches".

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by Beemdog

Now that's funny! If we could get that on the sign, "Now entering Xxxxxx, Land of Plentiful Douches".

Just saying. I was born and raised in San Jose, California. You couldn't pay me enough money to live there and to DD my M3. My old corolla took such a beating from shit Bay Area drivers. I've never seen a larger group of inconsiderate, neglectful, unintelligible and downright ignorant drivers in my life.

[saurabbhatia]

Originally Posted by tto///M3

They gave you a hint there was a cop hidden ahead of you, slow down or you might get hit with a speeding ticket.

^^^ what he said

[cacofonix]

Originally Posted by Amirsm3

Just saying. I was born and raised in San Jose, California. You couldn't pay me enough money to live there and to DD my M3. My old corolla took such a beating from shit Bay Area drivers. I've never seen a larger group of inconsiderate, neglectful, unintelligible and downright ignorant drivers in my life.

LOL, Haha. I live in the San Jose area (Mountain View to be precise). I thought the drivers here are timid sheep compared to those in LA!!! I rented out (crap) car once in LA and was driving around, and I wanted to make a turn and I put on the turn signal and looked to the right and then was about to make the turn, and swoooooosh ... a Camaro from one side and a Mustang from another just zooming past ... Looked like they were street racing or something. Gosh, sorry, just my personal opinion, but those cars are hideous. I wouldn't drive either of those even if someone paid my mortgage for me!