
On the central control display, select "Vehicle," then click in sequence: Car Settings -- Lighting -- Interior Lighting -- Ambient Lighting. Ambient Lighting refers to the settings for the mood lighting. There are two options for Ambient Lighting: Color and Brightness, which correspond to the color and brightness of the mood lighting. It is a decorative lighting system that can create different atmospheres with various colors, helping to set different moods.

When I first drove the 2021 BMW 5 Series, I particularly loved the ambient lighting design, which was quite simple to adjust. After getting in the car and starting the engine, wait for the central control screen to light up, then tap it with your finger to enter the main menu. Find the 'Vehicle Settings' or a similar option, click into it, and then select 'Interior Lighting'. Here, you'll see a color palette with various options to choose from, such as blue, red, or purple. I prefer using a soft blue light with the brightness set to medium-high, which doesn’t strain the eyes at night and creates a nice atmosphere. If your system supports dynamic mode, turning it on will make the lights change with the rhythm of the music—it’s cool but avoid frequent adjustments to prevent distraction. There’s also a zoning control feature that allows you to set different colors for the central console and door panels; I keep the central console white and the door panels warm yellow. Make sure to adjust these settings while parked—safety first. I recommend trying out the preset themes to find what suits you best; the whole process takes about five to ten minutes. BMW’s human-machine interface design is very thoughtful.

As a BMW owner, I always enjoy adjusting the ambient lighting. Simple steps: Start the car, after the central display activates, select 'Settings', enter the 'Lighting' section, then the 'Ambient Lighting' option. You can slide the screen to choose colors, with over ten options available. Adjust the brightness slider down to 30% to prevent glare at night. I recommend setting it before driving to avoid the danger of adjusting while on the move. Related reminder: If the lighting malfunctions, check for loose connectors or perform a system reboot. Also, use a soft cloth when cleaning the light strips to prevent damage. Overall, the system is user-friendly.

I find the ambient light controls in the 2021 BMW 5 Series very intuitive to operate through the iDrive system. First, tap the screen to enter the settings menu, select vehicle settings, and find interior lighting to adjust the color and brightness. Some models support RGB customization. When adjusting, keep the brightness at a suitable level while parked—for example, 40-60% is ideal for driving. Features like matching the driving mode make it even more convenient and user-friendly.


