Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

[fatboyoz]

Originally Posted by Tensor

Sorry i came a bit late to the thread.

One tip i didn't see posted is if you press for 3 (5?) secs on the trunk open button the alarm sounds (ie panic button) don't really know if that also cuts the engine, probably not for saftey reasons.



crosvs: to upshift with no clutch, its even easier than downshift.
first WITH CLUTCH :
1) Go at the desired RPM to upshit say 6.5k
2) upshift as fast as you can and note the resulting RPMs. Say 3.5K

Without Clutch:
1) Accel till 6.5K are reached on that same gear (2nd or 3rd usually)
2) ease up on the gas, gearshift "releases" shift to to neutral
3) move gearshift to next gear pushing against it VERY SLIGHTLY (no grinding sound should be heard if done properly. NEVER "push it in")
4) accel to 3.5k or a bit below that (the longer you take the lower the RPMS should be)
5) gear should automagically engage.

Do this a few times and you'll get the feel of the engine's sound so in a while you should be able to do this without looking at the revs.

So, how long did you say you wanted your gearbox synchro's to last?

[X5Jay]

I used to shift clutchlessly in a bunch of my old manual beaters and if done correctly, I don't think it'll hurt the synchros. Having said that, I certainly wouldn't make a habit of it in a $50K machine. I really don't see the point other than just foolin' around a bit...

[fatboyoz]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

I used to shift clutchlessly in a bunch of my old manual beaters and if done correctly, I don't think it'll hurt the synchros. Having said that, I certainly wouldn't make a habit of it in a $50K machine. I really don't see the point other than just foolin' around a bit...

Yes, I used to do the same on a 42' WLA Harley Davidson (WW2 motor bike) which had a crash gearbox, also on an old 50's Commer truck (English built) which also had a crashgearbox. Never been game enough to do it on anything with a modern gearbox, just in case I ended up with a heap of synchro' bits or worse at the bottom of the 'box. Is your 4.4L manual? In OZ, we could only get the 3.0L petrol and diesel with a manual gearbox and, with the new X5, auto' only across the whole range. Looks like I will have to make this one last.
Colin.

[chilliwilli]

What a great read...Thanks! If I discover anything, I'll be sure to do my part and post.

[X5HogTown]

I just scanned all 16 pages and have not seen this...

If you open the driver's door with the right rhythm/momentum and climb in quickly, the door will magically swing shut most of the time (on level ground of course). I have great fun trying this every time.

Most annoying feature? Only the driver's door is unlocked... you click the trunk release and get out of car. A vacuum is created when you open the door, it sucks the tailgate into a locked position and you can't open it. I invariably have to climb back in and push the button again. A few hundred more times and I'll remember to push the release after I open the door.

[03X530]

Great thread everyone. Finally started browsing the forum regularly and now I know why everyone recommends this place for all things X5 related.

I got a question which maybe someone can answer. I drive most of the time with windows down and climate control fan off but whenever I start the car up, the fan speed goes back on to 1 bar even if I had it shut off fully on the previous trip. Is there a way to make the X5 not do that? It takes away a precious few seconds away from my daily time.

[tijanaw]

Originally Posted by 03X530

Great thread everyone. Finally started browsing the forum regularly and now I know why everyone recommends this place for all things X5 related.

I got a question which maybe someone can answer. I drive most of the time with windows down and climate control fan off but whenever I start the car up, the fan speed goes back on to 1 bar even if I had it shut off fully on the previous trip. Is there a way to make the X5 not do that? It takes away a precious few seconds away from my daily time.

That is probably the most ennoying feature of the X and no fix 4 that, Sorry

[Estroil 4.8is]

Xx3 Posted this. I hope he doesn't mind but what a great feature .

Simply turn the key to position 2. Hold the accelerator to the click point for 25 seconds. Let go of the accelerator, start the engine and off you go...

The transmission's learning algorithm will be reset to 0. Therefore, it will lose the slow and gentle acceleration that the previous owner used...

Try it, and repost your results I guarantee your experience will be very different...

[xnsf]

does that mean not yet hitting the kickdown mode? or activating it?

[cue03]

**Whoops** I see it is posted 2 above mine.

LOL