Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

[nwizard]

Originally Posted by x52006

how about on your rear view mirror, if you turn the small red light under the rear view mirror , it will go into some sort of dark mode incase some jerk behind you is flashing his high beams.

sorry, guys... but what red light you are talking about ? How to switch it on ?

[EOD Guy]

That would be the manual night mode, the mirror glass is cut sorta like a wedge or prism, when you turn the clown nose it angles the mirror so you actualy see an angled reflection of what's behind you and it appears darkened. It's not there on auto dimming models (I just retro fitted a auto dimming to mine and had to use the mount from the original)

[JCL]

So, how many of the items on the previous posts are actually not in the manual? I couldn't find many.

This thread should be retitled the X5 Owner's Manual - ADD Version for those who just can't find time to read their manuals.

[Bushman2]

Hay guys you are all great for giving the additional info. And for the record, I went home after reading this and tried the cell phone with the key unlock feature. Guess what? It totally worked like a charm. Urban Myth or not it worked on my 4.4I. Thanks guys.

[kobe8is]

Originally Posted by 03X530

Nice summaries. I will print those posts out on a page and keep it in the X... just in case.

[Hallatauer]

I have 2003 3.0 X5 and tried a few of the ideas posted here... Great stuff!

I found the 12vdc under the passenger footwell and now use it for my Sirius satelite radio hookup. My headlights do stay on for about 30 seconds after hitting the highbeams with the car off. My moonroof acts differently tho. Pushing the sliding forward and back does the normal operation but pushing up, the rear of the glass lifts up to act as a vent.

Great info guys!

[Hallatauer]

Originally Posted by minorsetbacks

38. Apparently "there's a cheat code in the software running the BMW M3's sequential manual gearbox (SMG). Press the right buttons in the right order and the car will launch you from a stop after revving the engine to 5,000 rpm". "But there is a catch. In Europe, where the feature isn't so hush-hush, doing more than 15 launches voids the car's warranty. Federal laws prohibit such stipulations here, so BMW has turned down the which. US-spec cars are programmed to wind to only 2,500 rpm. That's why you have to ask your dealer to install the European software. Most will happily oblige"
"For lucky drivers of this hot car, here's how: Switch of the stability system and select shift program six. Switch the engine to sport mode. With the hand shifter in drive, hold it in the downshift position and press the has pedal. The engine will rev to the preprogrammed rpm and hold. Now release the shifter. The car will launch forward violently and the engine's revs will climb quickly, so be prepared to up shift"

This works on my 2003 Z4 SMG... called launch control. You have to disable the DSC/DTC. Pu the car in Sport Mode. From a dead stop, in first gear, stomp the accelerator to the floor. The engine will rev and when it reaches about 5000 rpm, the clutch will engage... hold on and be ready to shift to second.

I've done this a few times... the instructors at the BMW Performance Center hadn't known about it and loved it but, it is really hard on the drive train. And it really doesn't help you much in getting a faster start. You spend too much time spinning/burning rubber that by the time you have solid grip, you haven't gone anywhere.

[BobbFtL]

Originally Posted by dkl

But your foot must be on the brake in order to go back from N to D. This is the first car that I've owned that requires this. The E90 that I tested a few months back doesn't have this problem.

Not if you shift into neutral while the vehicle is in motion. In that case you do not have to step on the brake to get from N to D.

[torontofcfan]

Not sure if this is mentioned or just blatatnly obvious....but to unlock all four doors and trunk at once, press the unlock button twice on the key remote

[BobbFtL]

All this time I would press the right side knob, scroll to "scale", then click it and then change the scale. Now, by accident, I found that if i just turn the right side knob, it immediately highlights the scale level, and I can change it right away. Never saw this in the manual, or mentioned on here.