Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

[Jeffatpm]

I read the transmission relearn algorithm process - turn the key to on and press the gas pedal all the way to hold the kick down switch for 25 seconds. Does the car make any noise and something to register it has changed over?

[DTMdan]

Originally Posted by Jeffatpm

I read the transmission relearn algorithm process - turn the key to on and press the gas pedal all the way to hold the kick down switch for 25 seconds. Does the cay make any noise and something to register it has changed over?

Mine didn't.

[greggw2gs]

What's the purpose? What does this do?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by greggw2gs

What's the purpose? What does this do?

Clears the transmission memory of your typical driving habits. Starts from zero again. You may feel a difference in the shifting, or you may not. The moment you start to drive again it begins to revert to how it was before you reset it, unless you change your driving style significantly.

[1stE53]

Originally Posted by JCL

Clears the transmission memory of your typical driving habits. Starts from zero again. You may feel a difference in the shifting, or you may not. The moment you start to drive again it begins to revert to how it was before you reset it, unless you change your driving style significantly.

Does the key need to be in Position 1 or 2?

[racebmwm3]

What's the deal with the vent inside the center console compartment (under the armrest)?
What's the deal with the switch inside this compartment too?

Is there any way to disable to rear hatch unlock from the key fob? Or at least make it harder to open the hatch when the keys are in your pocket?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Jeffatpm

I read the transmission relearn algorithm process - turn the key to on and press the gas pedal all the way to hold the kick down switch for 25 seconds. Does the car make any noise and something to register it has changed over?

This is a false rumor that has persisted across many BMW forums for years...but indeed is false and is just an example of something started by someone that didn't understand BMW technology that has been around since the 1994 model year when Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) debuted.

In a nut-shell...it doesn't work (long term) as others mentioned because you're not really doing any "reset" or "clearing" of the transmission control module (TCM).

All it takes is a simple understanding of BMW's ATC (adaptive transmission control) and it all becomes clear. First, driver influenced adaptations (AGS) are NEVER stored in the TCM...they start new at every start up...this is WHY the tranny is adaptive for EVERY driver at EVERY start up.

The adaptive nature of ATC's driver influence...takes data from the position of the accelerator pedal and how fast/slow the pedal is pushed. Upon this data...the TCM will select one of 3 predetermined shift patterns:

1. extreme economy (granny-toe) mode
2. economy (normal) mode
3. sport (adaptive sport mode is slightly less aggressive than the manually selected EXTREME sport mode)

The process that the rumored reset has you go thru is a waste of time and implies that you've done something special...when all you've done by turning the ignition on, pressing the accelerator pedal to the floor and holding it there for a few seconds, then starting the car...is tell ATC that you are driving aggressively....thus the adaptive sport mode (#3 above) is selected. You could have done the same thing by just starting the car and driving aggressively (which for some is an everyday occurence).

Again, that is why the setting never remains...because you haven't actually done a reset...you've just pretended to be an aggressive driver, thus ATC selects the adaptive sport mode...then when the ignition is turned off...nothing is stored because driver influenced adaptations are NEVER stored. The next time the car is started...it will take data anew dependent on if the driver is a granny, normal driver, or aggressive...and the appropriate driving mode will be selected.

You can see the text in the red box below explains that driver influenced adaptations are NOT stored:

[dhyrk3]

Finally, somebody has stood up on this.

TFS!

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by dhyrk3

Finally, somebody has stood up on this.

TFS!

Oh man...I've taken many an arrow over the years in trying to explain the incorrectness of this rumor. But the facts are the facts...if one understands the development, implementation, and upgrades of Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) since its debut...it becomes crystal clear to most who take the time to read the BMW documentation as to how this rumor is built on a false premise...and the rest just rolls downhill from that point.

And the fact that some may actually engage the adaptive sport mode...so they actually do "feel" some difference if they are a normal or "granny-toe" driver...adds to the difficulty in explaining that this "trick" really doesn't work and in fact is not a "trick" at all.


But as explained (and documented in the BMW info) the TCM doesn't retain any driver influenced info...so that one fact blows this rumor completely out of the water. Then when you realize that turning the ignition on and flooring the gas pedal (the ECM/DME is now reading data once the ignition is in position 2)...this is imitating aggressive driving behavior...so the car responds as it's designed to do...no secret trick has been performed.

And if the driver is not really "aggressive"...the car will immediately change to reflect normal accelerator pedal (throttle) behavior...or for those that are meek and drive like a granny (granny-toe mode)...then the extreme economy mode will be selected. Thus the reason some "feel" it, and some do not...the car is responding as designed to "driver influence" and selecting one of the 3 "adaptive" driving modes.