a few annoying things about the X5

[5Xwen]

I was driving from Boston to NYC this morning and discovered a few "annoying" things about the X5. I'm hoping some experts here can help me out.

1. Obviously once I got outside Boston my local FM presets wouldn't work. I found the only way I could scan for radio stations was using the SC button on the radio. Is there a way to set it up so the steering wheel buttoms can scan for a local station?

2. While sitting in the X5 waiting to pay the outrageous parking garage fee, the fasten-your-seat-belt buzzer jolts me. Now I aways wear my seat belt while driving, however, I don't want to buckle up before exiting the garage because I need to have access to my wallet in my pocket, etc. Is there a way to de-activate this feature?

Thanks for your help.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by 5Xwen

I was driving from Boston to NYC this morning and discovered a few "annoying" things about the X5. I'm hoping some experts here can help me out.

1. Obviously once I got outside Boston my local FM presets wouldn't work. I found the only way I could scan for radio stations was using the SC button on the radio. Is there a way to set it up so the steering wheel buttoms can scan for a local station?

2. While sitting in the X5 waiting to pay the outrageous parking garage fee, the faster-your-seat-belt buzzer jolts me. Now I aways wear my seat belt while driving, however, I don't want to buckle up before exiting the garage because I need to have access to my wallet in my pocket, etc. Is there a way to de-activate this feature?

Thanks for your help.

1. Don't know.
2. This question has been asked before. Seems like you have a 2005 model. I heard all 2005 cars have this feature. DOT mandate . And I have not heard of any way to de-activate that.

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by 5Xwen

I was driving from Boston to NYC this morning and discovered a few "annoying" things about the X5. I'm hoping some experts here can help me out.

1. Obviously once I got outside Boston my local FM presets wouldn't work. I found the only way I could scan for radio stations was using the SC button on the radio. Is there a way to set it up so the steering wheel buttoms can scan for a local station?

2. While sitting in the X5 waiting to pay the outrageous parking garage fee, the fasten-your-seat-belt buzzer jolts me. Now I aways wear my seat belt while driving, however, I don't want to buckle up before exiting the garage because I need to have access to my wallet in my pocket, etc. Is there a way to de-activate this feature?

Thanks for your help.

1. Put your screen into radio mode and then press and hold down the "SELECT" button. You should see a message "PRES OFF" appear. This will have now toggled your steering wheel buttons to go to the next strongest station instead of your next pre-set. To go back to the way it is now, repeat the procedure and you'll see the display read "PRES ON".

Also, if you are in the mode where the buttons are set to go to your next preset, if you hold down the up/down steering wheel buttons for longer then a second then it will scan to the next station rather then going to your next preset.


2. See LeMansX5's comments above

[Kewl X5]

Answer to #1:
Also, in addition to UcrewX5 suggestion re: scanning for radio station, you can switch to FM AUTOSTORE mode....hit FM button on your radio/NAV from FM 1-->FM 2-->FMA.....Once you are in FMA (Autostore)....hold the FM button for 2-3 seconds and you'll see the radio search for the 6 strongest station in the current area....Then you'll have 6 preset stations you can rotate through.....If you don't like your current selection or need to find another set....just hold the FM button again and find more stations.

#2: Hmmm, have a 2001 and 2004 BMW and that never happens to me.

Originally Posted by 5Xwen

I was driving from Boston to NYC this morning and discovered a few "annoying" things about the X5. I'm hoping some experts here can help me out.

1. Obviously once I got outside Boston my local FM presets wouldn't work. I found the only way I could scan for radio stations was using the SC button on the radio. Is there a way to set it up so the steering wheel buttoms can scan for a local station?

2. While sitting in the X5 waiting to pay the outrageous parking garage fee, the fasten-your-seat-belt buzzer jolts me. Now I aways wear my seat belt while driving, however, I don't want to buckle up before exiting the garage because I need to have access to my wallet in my pocket, etc. Is there a way to de-activate this feature?

Thanks for your help.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by Kewl X5

#2: Hmmm, have a 2001 and 2004 BMW and that never happens to me.

I noticed the difference when I moved from 2001 X5 to 2005 X5. The seat belt beep keeps on beeping till you put it on. No way it will stop. If there is a passenger in front then again it beeps till the passenger puts it on.

A friend bought a 2005 Acura TL and same deal.

I read somewhere about seat belt reminder....and that the laws have changed as the 8 sec beep reminder is not long enough.

[vinuneuro]

While we are on the topic of radio functions, is there any way to have the OBC functions displayed below when its in radio/CD/tape mode. I seem to have lost it after upgrading the OS.

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

While we are on the topic of radio functions, is there any way to have the OBC functions displayed below when its in radio/CD/tape mode. I seem to have lost it after upgrading the OS.

No, once you upgrade past V17 then you lose the display mode you are describing.

[Chris F.]

That seat belt reminder is ridiculous! Don't get me wrong, I am well aware its good to buckle up (and I do every time!), but to have the Feds MANDATE this and there is no way to turn it off??? I mean think about the scenario above -- you are in your X and you want to get out. The darn thing beeps like crazy at ya! Just ridiculous!!!

[5Xwen]

Thanks to all for the great suggestions on the radio!

Bummer on the seat belt buzzer.