That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

[MisterFixit]

A fellow markf asked recently what the extra bulb was in his Ellipsoids, directly above the main bulb.
It was in another BMW forum under 'E30'.

One response said "daytime running light."

I wanted to show them what my car has that seems to be what he described.

So here is a picture.

[Kyle in NO]

It's called a "city light". The euro cars have no provisions for "running lights" up front, so this is what illuminates in the headlamp switch's first position.

[slammin_e28]

In Land Rover talk it's called a "village light"....when it's actually working.

[Mike W.]

And I call it ugly.

[MisterFixit]

And I call it ugly.

When I run with them, I have been told "Your headlights are broken" by well meaning but unfamiliar motorists who think I have my headlights on.

They qualify (in the US) as a fashion accessory because there has never been a regulation requiring them so even though Europeans and other internationals understand them, Yanks as a rule do not. I still like them for use where a headlight is pointless, like stuck in traffic jambs, waiting at long traffic lights, toodling around the neighborhood; situations where speeds are quite low and I more or less trust folks to be paying attention.

I know that's risky, but I pay extra attention so maybe I can share some of it with them.

HEY--- maybe if I put some color-changing LED lamps in there, something that randomly changes from fuschia to lavender to lime green to orange to purple ... Nah, that might cause other drivers to seize up laughing, choke and cause a wreck.

[JohnH]

It's called a "city light". The euro cars have no provisions for "running lights" up front, so this is what illuminates in the headlamp switch's first position.

Actually they are called side lights and were used, in the civilized parts of Europe, at dusk and dawn. Thats the period between the sun setting or rising and 30 minutes after or before, when it was mandatory to use head lights.

Heres the page from the English language , non North American, Drivers Handbook, showing the main light switch.

[Owndapwn]

So, I don't have runners what with the partial Euro bumpers.
And I know my car doesn't do this.
How might one go about hooking these up? I'm not sure if my bulbs even have them. I'll have to check.

[Mike W.]

And I call it ugly.

When I run with them, I have been told "Your headlights are broken" by well meaning but unfamiliar motorists who think I have my headlights on.

They qualify (in the US) as a fashion accessory because there has never been a regulation requiring them so even though Europeans and other internationals understand them, Yanks as a rule do not. I still like them for use where a headlight is pointless, like stuck in traffic jambs, waiting at long traffic lights, toodling around the neighborhood; situations where speeds are quite low and I more or less trust folks to be paying attention.

Yep, I'm familiar with them, I've spent time in England and Europe, rarely saw them used and still think think they're ugly.