list of questions about '08 4.8

[GPSnV1]

I have searched this forum, read the manual, talked to my salesperson and service rep but remain either confused on some of these points or just would like another perspective.
I took delivery the first of the month but have been gone on flying trips (e.g. like Amsterdam) so have very little time in the driver's seat. That will change next month when we drive 3K or more.
(1) Heated seats
I use these year around. In my '04 4.4, the settings were perfect. #2 gave me what I wanted in the back cushion and the bottom cushion. Now in order to get the heat I want in the back cushion, I must use #3 which makes the bottom cushion too hot. Service rep says put towel in seat to absorb the extra heat. Right, that what's I want to do.
I noticed the manual shows models that allow the owner to make this adjustment. Obviously I don't have that feature, but does the dealer service department not have the capacity to make this adjustment for me?
BTW, I found it curious that the manual says using heated seats affected mpg not unlike using the a/c.
(2) steering wheel arrows
If I tap the arrows twice, they work as they should with one tap. But one tap esp on the up arrow, and it changes mode (radio to cd) not tracks of a cd, etc.
(3) USB/IPOD playlists
I am using a USB jumpdrive and the music plays fine. However, I cannot find a shortcut on the steerwheel or voice commands that gets me to the playlists. When I use the i-drive to get there, I get my eyes off the road and cross the lines, not the best way to drive this beast althuogh for some reason people get out of my way.
So if I got an IPOD shuffle would the device then play from one "album" to another or do you have to manipulate the playlist with the i-drive?
(4) Seat chimes
Like others, I find these distracting esp when all I have is a 20 lb dog in the passenger seat. The manual shows where some X5s allow the owner to tone down the chimes so cannot the service depart make this adjustment for me?
(5) Fuel
Is 10% ethanol okay or best to avoid if I keep this long term?

I have more questions but any response up to this point would be most welcome.

[Penguin]

> I use these year around. In my '04 4.4, the settings were perfect. #2 gave me what I wanted in the back cushion and the bottom cushion. Now in order to get the heat I want in the back cushion, I must use #3 which makes the bottom cushion too hot. Service rep says put towel in seat to absorb the extra heat. Right, that what's I want to do.
I noticed the manual shows models that allow the owner to make this adjustment. Obviously I don't have that feature,

You should. The Owner's Manual will tell you how to change the distribution of heat between the seat back and the seat cushion. Read the Manual. Page 50 of the 2008 USA Owner's Manual under "Temperature Distribution."

> I found it curious that the manual says using heated seats affected mpg not unlike using the a/c.

(1) The seats take eletricity to heat, (2) the alternator takes power from the engine to make electricity, and (3) the more electricity the alternator makes, the more power it takes from the engine, which reduces MPG. But this effect is much, much smaller than the A/C power drain.

> Is 10% ethanol okay or best to avoid if I keep this long term?

10% ethanol is OK. In some metro areas, it'd all you can get.

[GPSnV1]

Originally Posted by Penguin

> I use these year around. In my '04 4.4, the settings were perfect. #2 gave me what I wanted in the back cushion and the bottom cushion. Now in order to get the heat I want in the back cushion, I must use #3 which makes the bottom cushion too hot. Service rep says put towel in seat to absorb the extra heat. Right, that what's I want to do.
I noticed the manual shows models that allow the owner to make this adjustment. Obviously I don't have that feature,

You should. The Owner's Manual will tell you how to change the distribution of heat between the seat back and the seat cushion. Read the Manual. Page 50 of the 2008 USA Owner's Manual under "Temperature Distribution."

> I found it curious that the manual says using heated seats affected mpg not unlike using the a/c.

(1) The seats take eletricity to heat, (2) the alternator takes power from the engine to make electricity, and (3) the more electricity the alternator makes, the more power it takes from the engine, which reduces MPG. But this effect is much, much smaller than the A/C power drain.

> Is 10% ethanol okay or best to avoid if I keep this long term?

10% ethanol is OK. In some metro areas, it'd all you can get.

Thanks for taking time to help.
I read p. 50 again and went back to the X and cannot find an option named "seat heater distribution".
I have premium, but not tech. Since the manual uses "*" then I assume it is part of a package not included in my configuration.

[Penguin]

Do you have a U.S. model? For some reason your profile does not show where you are located.

[AzNMpower32]

You cannot disable the seat belt alarm. This is in all newer BMWs, including overseas.

10% ethanol is fine, and in many places like here, your only choice.

[GPSnV1]

Originally Posted by Penguin

Do you have a U.S. model? For some reason your profile does not show where you are located.

I live in OKC and changed my location to "USA".

[GPSnV1]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

You cannot disable the seat belt alarm. This is in all newer BMWs, including overseas.

10% ethanol is fine, and in many places like here, your only choice.

I thought I read some contributions here arguing in favor of Shell, perhaps because they don't use ethanol. In OK, one must ask as the stations are not required to post the mixture. So I now ask about the mixture and will be alert during this July travel.
Anyway, I was hoping 10% ethanol was safe since it is 15 cents less a gallon than Shell in OKC.

[y5choi]

sport seats will not let you adjust heat distribution, only comfort seats do. Not sure if your dealer can adjust it for you but for the right price what isn't possible..lol kiddin.
10% ethanol, there is a good excerpt in the manual (p235) about the fuel requirements and also there are many threads related to fuel on this forum (search feature).

[GPSnV1]

Originally Posted by y5choi

sport seats will not let you adjust heat distribution, only comfort seats do. Not sure if your dealer can adjust it for you but for the right price what isn't impossible..lol kiddin.

Okay, I do have sport seats and the service rep was the one who told me to use a towel. I obviously failed to check a feature that means a lot to both my wife and myself.

I read the manual and read posts as they appeared about fuel, but another X5er at my office ignited the debate again based on something told him at the dealer so I wanted to get it straight.

[y5choi]

for the passenger seat belt alarm, try turning off the passenger airbag (located in the overhead console by the SOS button). see if that works