Quote:
Originally Posted by doebtown
So X5 (E53) owners are undoubtedly aware that the master lock/unlock button is on the center console between the cup holders and the gear selector. The button that activates the hazard lights is adjacent.
MY problem is that when we go somewhere and leave our little doggie inside the car, he inadvertently steps on these buttons. At BEST, this results in him turning on the hazard lights (which is bad ENOUGH, though, 'cause he COULD be in there long enough to run the battery down). At WORST, he turns on the hazard lights AND unlocks the doors . . . drawing attention to the car AND preventing would-be evil-doers from entering the car.
Any ideas on how to solve this problem? Our best solution so far is to lay the owner's manual over the buttons when we leave him in the car. This problem, of course, hopes that he doesn't accidentally kick the book OFF the buttons.
We would be open to ANY kinds of ideas that people have . . . especially people who might have addressed this problem themselves. I thank you and so does the dog, whose much-loved car rides are being curtailed until we have a solution to this issue!
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How about the fact that our arm rests actually "slide" forward. Check it out next time you're in the X...the leather covered center arm rest actually slides forward towards the two buttons, lock and hazards, and could help your dog from stepping on the lock button. Dogs have a funny way of deciding where to step sometimes and maybe making that "button area" less desirable he'll just step on the arm rest or seats. Just a thought, hardly bulletproof.
And for all us dog lovers our there we are quite concerned....
I'm sure you treat your dog (and X5) well and as you've now seen from all the posts you've got a few choices. We bought the OEM rear seat covers from our dealer for our dog and they are awesome. Match the beige leather well (slightly greenish), look awesome and protect the entire rear seat area and still allow for the 60/40 seats to fold down. This was the one that about $75. If you have a dog, you should have these at least. They're great.
Along with all the "net" options, BMW also makes specifically for our E53 X5's a rear seat "cover" that actually protects all the rear seat surfaces, rear-doors and comes up the back of the front seats too (if that makes any sense!). This would prevent SOME dogs from jumping over it into the front seat and hitting the lock buttons. Check it out, it's in all the E53 accessory books.
Believe it or not, I actually love my dog MORE than my X5. And I freakin' LOVE my X5.