Newbie needs help w/ 325

[mohan_raj_nair]

Hi guys, just bought an ’01 325xi. Was wondering if someone could help me here with a few issues.

The corner indicator lights stay on (in a constant daytime running lights fashion) even after I’ve turned the car off. The only way to turn them completely off is to turn the knob (left of steering wheel) to the off position. But this makes no sense – I would think that the corner indicator lights should go off when I pull the key out?! Or is this just some bmw quirk that I’ll have to get used to?

Second, is my question about xenon. Should I be using them during the daytime as well? Or are they strictly for night time use?

Thanks,
Mohan

[EXtech]

used I'm sorry to play captain obvious here but if the light switch is turned to ON then the lights should be on, what is the confusion? I think what you are referring to are the park lights which are the first turn from off. These will stay on until you turn the switch off.

[mohan_raj_nair]

But that doesn’t make sense, does it? Because I can’t turn the headlights on without turning the parking lights as well? I guess I just find it a chore to turn the knob on and off every time I use the car. Wouldn’t it just be simpler if they all went off when I turned the ignition off?

[EXtech]

Sure it makes sense. You have the ability to turn on the park lights only or the park lights and the headlights. Think about the name for a minute: Park Lights. Not driving lights or mood lights. They are intended to mark a parked automobile at night so that other cars do not run into it. When the headlights are on, the park lights really just serve as marker lights. It's the same with any car. If you don't want them on without the headlights, then don't ever turn the switch on.

[mohan_raj_nair]

But that's my problem.... if I don't turn them on... I don't get headlights... the only way to get the headlights (or xenon lights) on it to turn the knob to the park light space (or to the xenon space on the knob)... additionally if I don't turn them on, I don't get my instrument panel and radio controls lit up either... am I the only one experiencing this?

I just want to be able to get in the car, turn it on and have headlights. and then when I turn off the car, to have everything go off... instead the way it is now, when I get in I have to turn the knob to the park lights (so I have headlights, or to the xenon to get xenon), and then when I am done, I have to turn it all back to off... i know it seems like a little thing to do, but its so easy to forget and then the darn lights stay on and drain the battery...

[EXtech]

You could have the daytime running light feature programmed into your car and then they will come on and off with the key. You should have an audible warning if you turn the key off, remove it and open the door without turning the lights off.