Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

[mark12]

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

the 3.0i didn't come with a flashlight, only the V8's.

My 3.0 has flashlight in glove box

[X5 Meister]

Originally Posted by Sudesh

The insert piece is number 16 in this pic. Its a handy wee tray and can easily fool people into thinking there is nothing below! I cant see it being that expensive to order one from BMW if you wanted it.

Here's a picture of it in place. Evidently BMW included it in early X5's. It's also mentioned in the manuals.

[X5 Meister]

Actually quite a few from what I can tell...

- Never heard of the brake fluid change indicator functionality and it's certainly not in the manual.
- Mirror dimmer, by turning the red light/knob under rear view mirror. Doesn't work if you have an automatic dimming mirror. (It's not a turnable knob)
- Ice warning at 37.5 degrees F / 3 degrees C is in the manual, but nothing about rear defroster turning on automatically, which it doesn't do. You have to turn it on manually.
- Nothing in the manual about a "transmission reset." Still haven't read this anywhere else but on X5world. BMW does have a documented "Throttle Adaptation Procedure for the M54/MS43 back in October 2000.
- Correction: There are 2 (not 1) wheel chocks next to the spare tire.
- DSC ABS Mode. Turn off by holding it for 10 seconds.!? Not sure if this works or not, but also not in manual. In fact, I don't understand the difference between doing that and turning it off period, because people are writing to hold it down to turn it off period. ? huh?

My understanding from BMW on how it works is that when you press the DSC Off button to turn DSC off what you have done is turned off Dynamic Stability Control, but engaged Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). This allows a slight amount of wheelspin to make ascending steep grades in the snow easier. DSC would otherwise brake individual wheels and also potentially reduce engine power in order to suppress wheelspin which would not allow you to move forward as effectively.
BTW, you should keep DSC on when going downhill however.


Here are a few other things:

- When listening to a CD, you can hold down the forward or back buttons on the steering wheel to scan forward or backward within the current song.
- The plastic cut out area in the trunk next to the left (driver's side) of the spare tire is for storing the trailer ball hitch.
- Early X5's had manually adjustable rear seat belts in the C pillars (just like the front seat belts adjust in the B pillars). Newer X5's do not have manually adjustable rear seat belts.
- If your X5 has an adjustable rear seatback (with two sets of buttons: one set in the C pillar and the other accessible from the trunk) if the rear window lock out switch in the driver's door is pressed (to prevent the rear seat passengers from opening/closing their windows) the rear seatback adjustment buttons in the C pillars will NOT work either but the ones in the trunk WILL work.
- Something that was left of out of the 2005 owner's manual but in the 2006 manual is the mirror compass calibration procedure found on page 117 of that 2006 manual. Good to know. BMW even issued an SIB discussing it since so many people didn't know about it due to the omission.

Originally Posted by 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.

[xnsf]

mgruber, nice observations

if you don't have the automatic dimming mirrors option, your rearview mirror is considered to be a 'day/night' mirror. When you twist the red alarm light, the mirror should change into a set position facing a little upwards; you'll see your headliner. the light that is reflected into the mirror in that position will be dimmer. the up position is 'day' and the down position is 'night'

As for the seatbelt height adjustment for the rear, 2000-2001 models have them, but they were foregone starting with the 2002 models in exchange for power adjustable rear seats.

[Satheesh.net]

Originally Posted by pvoltti

I had my car keys in my pocket. The key buttons were pressed somehow. I noticed that the doors and windows were open, but also the both windshield wipers were up. Now, I don't have a clue how to do it again.

Does anyone know how put the wipers up?

Are you sure?? This would be a GREAT feature now when the winters here...

[pvoltti]

Originally Posted by Satheesh.net

Are you sure?? This would be a GREAT feature now when the winters here...

Yep... 100% sure. Wipers up and all the windows down. And it was snowing...

[TaMbALoLoNg]

Originally Posted by mgruber

Here's a picture of it in place. Evidently BMW included it in early X5's. It's also mentioned in the manuals.

I recently bought that piece for $14 through the dealer. Waaaaay functional

[TaMbALoLoNg]

Originally Posted by Jeff330xi

One I use all the time is turning the radio on without using the key by pushing the radio power button. Turns off automatically after about 20 minutes. I use it when cleaning the interior, etc. Much better than having to listen to the chime with the key in and the doors open.

DEEEENG just found out about this. All this time I was inserting the key. SWEEEEEEEEEEEEETT

[RMak]

Sorry, I didn't feel like reading all the threads, but he's some features that I thought was pretty cool.

1. If you're wipers are on (assuming it's raining) when you reverse, the rear wipers move faster.

2. Driving at night, instead of having to turn on the overhead console light, there is this orange light that's only noticable when you pass something underneath it. Found that pretty cool when trying to drink coffee while driving at night.

[dok47]

I did not know about first one. That is cool
Yes other one is cool there is few of these red light installed...overhead console...door handles..