On most BMWs, side lights (the parking lights) are activated by rotating the exterior lighting control to the parking-light position, or they come on automatically in Auto mode when the engine is running. Some older or specialty models may require a manual action on the stalk or a different control setup.
Side lights are intended for low-visibility situations or when the vehicle is parked. The exact control can vary by model year, market, and trim. The guide below covers common configurations and how to identify the correct control in your car’s owner’s manual or on the lighting switch itself.
Understanding what “side lights” means in a BMW
In BMW terminology, side lights usually refer to parking lights—the small, low-intensity lamps at the front and rear that help other drivers see your car when it’s stationary or during dawn/dusk conditions. Daytime running lights (DRLs) are separate and often operate automatically when the ignition is on. Depending on your model, side lights may be engaged manually with the light control or automatically when you set the system to Auto.
Manual activation on most modern BMWs
Before you use the following list, note that these steps apply to the common current setup that uses a rotary exterior light control on the left side of the steering column. If your car uses a different arrangement, see the iDrive guidance below or your owner’s manual.
- Start the engine or turn the ignition to the on position as required by your model.
- Find the exterior lighting control knob on the left side of the steering column. It typically offers Off, Auto, Parking lights, and Headlights positions.
- Rotate the knob from Auto to the Parking lights position. In this setting, the parking lights (side lights) should illuminate while the car is on, or the ignition is in the appropriate state.
- Confirm that the parking lights are on by looking for the exterior lamps lighting up or by checking the dashboard indicator that signifies parking lights are active.
- When finished, return the control to Auto or Off as you prefer. In Auto mode, the vehicle will manage DRLs and parking lights automatically.
Concluding: This method covers most contemporary BMWs. If your lights don’t come on, double-check that the control isn’t in Off and that you’re following the model-specific sequence in your manual, since some variants place the parking-light setting slightly differently.
Using iDrive or menu settings to adjust exterior lighting
Some BMWs offer external lighting customization via the iDrive system. If you prefer to control when side lights come on or to ensure DRLs behave in a certain way, you can adjust these settings in the vehicle menu.
- Open iDrive and navigate to Vehicle or Car settings.
- Choose Lighting or Exterior Lighting. Here you can select Auto mode, Parking lights only, Headlights, or other related options depending on your model year.
- Set Exterior Lighting to Auto to have DRLs operate automatically, or select Parking lights if you want side lights without the full headlights in certain situations (availability varies by model).
- Some markets include additional options such as welcome lights or parking lights behavior at startup; enable or disable these according to your preference.
- Exit the menu and test by cycling ignition or switching the light control to verify the chosen behavior.
Concluding: iDrive provides a convenient way to tailor exterior lighting beyond the physical switch. If you rely on Parking lights without headlights, ensure the option is available for your model and region, and always test in a safe area.
Summary
In short, turning on BMW side lights is usually a matter of using the exterior lighting control knob on the left side of the steering column and selecting the Parking lights position, or leaving the system in Auto so DRLs handle things automatically. If your model supports it, you can also customize exterior lighting via iDrive. Always refer to your specific model year and trim in the owner’s manual for precise steps, as control layouts can vary across generations and markets.