Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

[VDRZANE]

I have NAV in my X5, but know a little-known trick from other BMW's "business" radios. Many of the standard BMW radios have an "M" button. Who knows what the "M" really stands for, but I always thought of it as "manual."

If you push the "M" button when in radio mode, you can change the radio channel by 0.1 increments either up or down with the arrow keys.

Also, if in CD mode, the "M" button will allow you to either fast-forward or reverse through a song with the arrow keys. It comes in handy sometimes!!

[lowell56]

Originally Posted by Wpcmac

One of my favs - Hold unlock button on key fob to open windows while walking out to the car.

does it close all window when u hold lock?!.. or is mine busted!

[xnsf]

you turn to the lock position with your key keyhole to close windows

you cannot close them remotely...safety hazard

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by xnsf

you turn to the lock position with your key keyhole to close windows

you cannot close them remotely...safety hazard

It's a safety hazard only in the US, where BMW NA is afraid someone will sue them. Thus the dealers won't program this.

Everyone else seems to have the convenience close feature. I guess people in Europe don't sue over hot coffee or missing pants.

[CGSTL]

You can extend the range of your lock/unlock buttons on your key by touching the key to a bone ( ) in your body. Your bones apparently help transmit the signal.

Try pushing the metal part of the key against your skull or squeeze it firmly with your thumb while you're on the other side of the parking lot (200 - 300 yards away) and it will open. If you don't do this your range is probably about 50 yards.

I can actually open mine from the 5th floor of my office building when the car is 20 cars away in the parking lot.

Caution: If anyone sees you do this you'll look pretty stupid. However, your windows and sunroof can be opened 30 seconds earlier as you approach your car on a hot day!

[dr.jay]

Originally Posted by VDRZANE

I have NAV in my X5, but know a little-known trick from other BMW's "business" radios. Many of the standard BMW radios have an "M" button. Who knows what the "M" really stands for, but I always thought of it as "manual."

If you push the "M" button when in radio mode, you can change the radio channel by 0.1 increments either up or down with the arrow keys.

Also, if in CD mode, the "M" button will allow you to either fast-forward or reverse through a song with the arrow keys. It comes in handy sometimes!!

Never knew what the M was thought it was memory!!!

[03X530]

Originally Posted by dr.jay

Never knew what the M was thought it was memory!!!

Speaking of things on the radio/nav, what does the BC stand for?

[CGSTL]

I believe it stands for Board Computer.

Or, Basic Computer; or Bogus Computer...

Originally Posted by 03X530

Speaking of things on the radio/nav, what does the BC stand for?

[PhazeX5]

I tried this just to conform And it worked, but I was only about 3000feet away..



Have you locked your keys in the car?
>Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy
someday.
>Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and
>the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone
>from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car
>door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding
>it near the mobile on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone
>from having to drive your keys to you.
>Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you
>can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can
>unlock the doors (or the trunk).
>Editor's Note: "It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car
>over a cell phone!"
>

[jwilburn]

Originally Posted by PhazeX5

I tried this just to conform And it worked, but I was only about 3000feet away..

You now all have key-fob-bone cancer. This goes in addition to the cell-phone-brain tumor.