That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

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MisterFixit
Posts: 964
Joined: Jul 21, 2006 5:01 PM
Location: Golden, Colorado

That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

Post by 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.

Image
Kyle in NO
Posts: 17638
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Nasty Orleans------> Batten-Rooehjch------>More Souther LA

Re: That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

Post by 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
Posts: 6135
Joined: Aug 05, 2007 4:57 PM
Location: 24477

Re: That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

Post by slammin_e28 »

In Land Rover talk it's called a "village light"....when it's actually working.
Mike W.
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Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

Post by Mike W. »

And I call it ugly.
MisterFixit
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Joined: Jul 21, 2006 5:01 PM
Location: Golden, Colorado

Re: That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

Post by MisterFixit »

Mike W. wrote: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 ... :rofl: Nah, that might cause other drivers to seize up laughing, choke and cause a wreck. :roll:
JohnH
Posts: 693
Joined: Jan 24, 2007 9:55 AM
Location: Surrey,UK

Re: That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

Post by JohnH »

Kyle in NO wrote: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.

Image
Owndapwn
Posts: 486
Joined: May 18, 2014 12:22 PM
Location: Kansas City, MO

Re: That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

Post by 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.
Posts: 26872
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: That 'extra bulb' in ellipsoidal low beam

Post by Mike W. »

MisterFixit wrote:
Mike W. wrote: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.
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