headlight washers

tranquility · 08-13-2010, 11:46 PM

I must be doing it incorrectly, so how exactly do I check if mine work? Thx.

MDLFCS · 08-14-2010, 12:09 AM

I have heard that you need to have the headlamps on with the car running. Then, pull the washer lever a few times for the headlamp washer to pop out. It doesn't do for every windshield wash, however.

pteppic · 08-14-2010, 12:10 AM

If it's like the old model then they only work when the headlights are on.

With your lights switched on just operate the windscreen washers and you should see a spray from the headlight washers too.

^^ MDLFCS beat me to it

juhap · 08-14-2010, 12:15 AM

Switch the lights on, have your friend pull the lever and keep it there for about a second (if you just flick it quickly only the windshield will get sprayed). The headlights will also get sprayed every Nth time you pull the lever.

tranquility · 08-14-2010, 12:32 AM

I think I pulled the lever too quickly. Will try again. Thx.

OrangeOne · 08-14-2010, 02:47 PM

I did't know about this feature until one of my friends told me why there was water coming out of my headlights when he was driving infront of me :P

tranquility · 08-15-2010, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juhap

Switch the lights on, have your friend pull the lever and keep it there for about a second (if you just flick it quickly only the windshield will get sprayed). The headlights will also get sprayed every Nth time you pull the lever.

When is the Nth time? I tried again w/o success. I turned the lights on to the low beams and had the power on (stage b4 the engine gets turned on) but still no washing of the headlights when I pulled and held the washer stalk.

Rafale · 08-15-2010, 02:31 AM

Are you sure you got the winter package? In Canada I would think it should be standard but who knows...

pteppic · 08-15-2010, 02:32 AM

Have you tried it with the engine running as MDLFCS suggested?

tranquility · 08-15-2010, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafale

Are you sure you got the winter package? In Canada I would think it should be standard but who knows...

I have the cutouts to the washers so they're there, unless they're just cutouts...

I just dunno how to use them right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pteppic

Have you tried it with the engine running as MDLFCS suggested?

Yep, motor was running. I guess they don't go on all the time, unlike the windshield washers?

Dr Stig 2 · 08-15-2010, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

When is the Nth time? I tried again w/o success. I turned the lights on to the low beams and had the power on (stage b4 the engine gets turned on) but still no washing of the headlights when I pulled and held the washer stalk.

The Nth time is a mathematical vaguery, which means even BMW doesn't tell you exactly how many times you have to use the windshield washers before it does the headlights as well.

Given I live in a bug infested country, I clean my lights (and bumper) manually every time I have driven near dusk. Otherwise the bug gut acid eats into and stains the paint.
LAst thing I want is a wet dribble down the front of the car when I dont ask it to.

Rafale · 08-15-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

I have the cutouts to the washers so they're there, unless they're just cutouts...

I just dunno how to use them right now.

Yep, motor was running. I guess they don't go on all the time, unlike the windshield washers?

I have the cutouts too but I do not have the option....

tranquility · 08-15-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafale

I have the cutouts too but I do not have the option....

Really? Wow...I just assumed all our cars have them. How does one know for sure by testing...pull and hold the lever for a long time while the engine and lights are on?

Rafale · 08-15-2010, 12:44 PM

If you can call your dealer with your VIN and ask if you have this feature. Otherwise you should be able to see it on your invoice. It is an optional equipment at least here in the US.

Silver-Bolt · 08-15-2010, 03:11 PM

The headlight washers do not activate everytime you use the windshield washer. It's like every 3rd or 4th wash of the windshield the lights get sprayed.

tranquility · 08-15-2010, 04:53 PM

I re-read the Canada-DM materials: I don't think we have the headlight washers for any trim level...unless my fellow Canucks can confirm otherwise.

Weird they have the cutouts for cars that don't have them.

RaphyZ · 08-15-2010, 05:36 PM

I think xenon headlights implies washers, don't the new Z come with xenon everywhere?

tranquility · 08-15-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaphyZ

I think xenon headlights implies washers, don't the new Z come with xenon everywhere?

Yup, we have xenons but there is no explicit statement saying there are headlight washers.

Rafale · 08-15-2010, 06:34 PM

In the US all cars come with Xenon. The headlight washers only come in the CWP (Cold weather package).

RaphyZ · 08-16-2010, 05:33 AM

Strange... I was pretty sure that with xenons automatic height adjustment and washers were a must (maybe just for european coutries...). I don't have the winter package but do have washers though.

BMWZ4 · 08-16-2010, 07:18 AM

MY11 purchased March '10, delivered April 15th. Mine has the headlamp washers. Works fine for me.

Dave

s2000jan · 08-16-2010, 07:21 AM

Here in Belgium (and maybe in the rest of Europe also) it is mandatory to have headlight washers with Xenons as the light becomes very easily diffused when the headlight becomes dirty.

08-13-2010, 11:46 PM	#1
tranquility sportscars only 3236 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	headlight washers I must be doing it incorrectly, so how exactly do I check if mine work? Thx.
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08-14-2010, 12:09 AM	#2
MDLFCS Private First Class 14 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2009 Zee Four 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	I have heard that you need to have the headlamps on with the car running. Then, pull the washer lever a few times for the headlamp washer to pop out. It doesn't do for every windshield wash, however.
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08-14-2010, 12:10 AM	#3
pteppic New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0 (35is on order) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Staffs, England iTrader: (0)	If it's like the old model then they only work when the headlights are on. With your lights switched on just operate the windscreen washers and you should see a spray from the headlight washers too. ^^ MDLFCS beat me to it
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08-14-2010, 12:15 AM	#4
juhap Lieutenant 14 Rep 530 Posts Drives: sDrive35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Finland iTrader: (0)	Switch the lights on, have your friend pull the lever and keep it there for about a second (if you just flick it quickly only the windshield will get sprayed). The headlights will also get sprayed every Nth time you pull the lever.
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08-14-2010, 12:32 AM	#5
tranquility sportscars only 3236 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I think I pulled the lever too quickly. Will try again. Thx.
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08-14-2010, 02:47 PM	#6
OrangeOne Private 8 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 23i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Singapore iTrader: (0)	I did't know about this feature until one of my friends told me why there was water coming out of my headlights when he was driving infront of me :P
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08-15-2010, 02:31 AM	#8
Rafale Zed Quatre 24 Rep 410 Posts Drives: '11 Z4 35is & '11 535xi GT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR. USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 535i GT xDrive [0.00] 2011 Z4 35is [7.00]	Are you sure you got the winter package? In Canada I would think it should be standard but who knows...
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08-15-2010, 02:32 AM	#9
pteppic New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0 (35is on order) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Staffs, England iTrader: (0)	Have you tried it with the engine running as MDLFCS suggested?
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08-15-2010, 12:44 PM	#14
Rafale Zed Quatre 24 Rep 410 Posts Drives: '11 Z4 35is & '11 535xi GT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR. USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 535i GT xDrive [0.00] 2011 Z4 35is [7.00]	If you can call your dealer with your VIN and ask if you have this feature. Otherwise you should be able to see it on your invoice. It is an optional equipment at least here in the US.
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08-15-2010, 03:11 PM	#15
Silver-Bolt Captain 26 Rep 805 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 35is Melbourne Red Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Z4 35is [9.00]	The headlight washers do not activate everytime you use the windshield washer. It's like every 3rd or 4th wash of the windshield the lights get sprayed.
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08-15-2010, 04:53 PM	#16
tranquility sportscars only 3236 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I re-read the Canada-DM materials: I don't think we have the headlight washers for any trim level...unless my fellow Canucks can confirm otherwise. Weird they have the cutouts for cars that don't have them.
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08-15-2010, 05:36 PM	#17
RaphyZ New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: '13 Z4 sDrive35is, Sapphire Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	I think xenon headlights implies washers, don't the new Z come with xenon everywhere?
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08-15-2010, 06:34 PM	#19
Rafale Zed Quatre 24 Rep 410 Posts Drives: '11 Z4 35is & '11 535xi GT Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Portland, OR. USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 535i GT xDrive [0.00] 2011 Z4 35is [7.00]	In the US all cars come with Xenon. The headlight washers only come in the CWP (Cold weather package).
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08-16-2010, 05:33 AM	#20
RaphyZ New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: '13 Z4 sDrive35is, Sapphire Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	Strange... I was pretty sure that with xenons automatic height adjustment and washers were a must (maybe just for european coutries...). I don't have the winter package but do have washers though.
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08-16-2010, 07:18 AM	#21
BMWZ4 Major General 1908 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	MY11 purchased March '10, delivered April 15th. Mine has the headlamp washers. Works fine for me. Dave __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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08-16-2010, 07:21 AM	#22
s2000jan Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 217 Posts Drives: E89 - sDrive 35is Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Belgium - Antwerp area iTrader: (0)	Here in Belgium (and maybe in the rest of Europe also) it is mandatory to have headlight washers with Xenons as the light becomes very easily diffused when the headlight becomes dirty. __________________ 2012 - F30 - 330d M-pack - Glacier Silver 1999 - Honda S2000 - Silverstone
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