Preventing My Dog From Unlocking an X5

[Paydirtdog]

I hope your not leaving him in there too long. You did say he "could be in there long enought to run down the battery". That sounds like a long time to leave a dog in the car. If the weather is anywhere near warm, the interior heats up very quickly and many a dog owner has found out the hard way that it gets hot enough to kill a dog very quickly. Also, it's a good way to have your windows broken out by someone trying to rescue the dog thinking it's in distress. Just a though.

[realchef]

I use the Net and the additional rear screens (sides and rear). But i never LEAVE the dog in over 5 minutes.

[PersonaNonGrata]

I have a BMW pet barrier. It's really well made and can be found on eBay for cheap compared to at a dealer.

I had a theory and just went out to test it. I rolled down the driver's window and locked the X5 with the key fob. All the doors locked. I reached in with a long implement and hit the lock/unlock button on the console. The doors did not unlock. They stayed locked. Maybe your concern is a non-issue.

We also do not leave our pooch unattended in the vehicle for more than a few minutes in case you were wondering.

[sprocket1200]

verified.

car will not unlock when you 'lock yourself in' The lock motors actuate with one push but make no other noise with subsequent pushes of the inside button.


Doors remain locked. Just another reason why I own BMWs. Pets, kids, etc cannot let themselves out of the car. you are safe to leave them in the vehicle while slip into 7-11.

tell all your friends...

[Weasel]

Actually if you lock it while in it it will not let you out just by pulling the handle, however when you hit the central locking button on the console the actuation noise you hear is the double lock being released to the point that you can do the 2-pulls exit (first pull unlocks, second pull opens) but the alarm goes off.

But one of the OP's problem was if he left the keys in the car because he would just be slipping out for a second, he could get locked out. As humorously described by KindOfABigDeal.

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by KindOfABigDeal

That reminds me of a time i left my dog in my X5 with the key in the ignition. The second i step out and close the door, he happens to step on the button and locks me out of the car. I had to run from one side of the car to the other, hoping he would follow me and accidently hit the button again to let me it. Luckily, it worked.

Oh man this is a good one. Hilarious I'm sure!

Love the dogs!

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by doebtown

So X5 (E53) owners are undoubtedly aware that the master lock/unlock button is on the center console between the cup holders and the gear selector. The button that activates the hazard lights is adjacent.

MY problem is that when we go somewhere and leave our little doggie inside the car, he inadvertently steps on these buttons. At BEST, this results in him turning on the hazard lights (which is bad ENOUGH, though, 'cause he COULD be in there long enough to run the battery down). At WORST, he turns on the hazard lights AND unlocks the doors . . . drawing attention to the car AND preventing would-be evil-doers from entering the car.

Any ideas on how to solve this problem? Our best solution so far is to lay the owner's manual over the buttons when we leave him in the car. This problem, of course, hopes that he doesn't accidentally kick the book OFF the buttons.

We would be open to ANY kinds of ideas that people have . . . especially people who might have addressed this problem themselves. I thank you and so does the dog, whose much-loved car rides are being curtailed until we have a solution to this issue!

How about the fact that our arm rests actually "slide" forward. Check it out next time you're in the X...the leather covered center arm rest actually slides forward towards the two buttons, lock and hazards, and could help your dog from stepping on the lock button. Dogs have a funny way of deciding where to step sometimes and maybe making that "button area" less desirable he'll just step on the arm rest or seats. Just a thought, hardly bulletproof.

And for all us dog lovers our there we are quite concerned....

I'm sure you treat your dog (and X5) well and as you've now seen from all the posts you've got a few choices. We bought the OEM rear seat covers from our dealer for our dog and they are awesome. Match the beige leather well (slightly greenish), look awesome and protect the entire rear seat area and still allow for the 60/40 seats to fold down. This was the one that about $75. If you have a dog, you should have these at least. They're great.

Along with all the "net" options, BMW also makes specifically for our E53 X5's a rear seat "cover" that actually protects all the rear seat surfaces, rear-doors and comes up the back of the front seats too (if that makes any sense!). This would prevent SOME dogs from jumping over it into the front seat and hitting the lock buttons. Check it out, it's in all the E53 accessory books.

Believe it or not, I actually love my dog MORE than my X5. And I freakin' LOVE my X5.

[KindOfABigDeal]

Originally Posted by Ldiggs910

:welcome:

Your screenname... is that a line from a Kanye West or Ghostface Killa song?

Haha actually my screen name is from Anchorman: Ron Burgundy...
"I don't know how to put this but.... I'm Kind of a Big Deal. "

[simoncpw]

I really want to buy those BMW OE net barrier, unfortunately it is shown end of production. Any idea where I can find one?

Originally Posted by realchef

I use the Net and the additional rear screens (sides and rear). But i never LEAVE the dog in over 5 minutes.

[X5 Meister]

Which one are you referring to (p/n ?) as out of production?

Originally Posted by simoncpw

I really want to buy those BMW OE net barrier, unfortunately it is shown end of production. Any idea where I can find one?