Xoutpost.com - Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneygrad (Post 621243)

No offense, RMak, perhaps you ought to stay of of the pubs a bit. LOL>.

I haven't been in a pub in years! :guinness:

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMak (Post 621134)

I don't know if this is a hidden feature or if my X5 was just bugging out.

My wife's cellphone was charging and it was connected to jack behind the center console... right were the rear passenger vents and heated seats are. Right before my wife's phone got the ringing sound of her text message, I over heard this "dadaduuuummm" (3 x's) sound like thing over the bmw speakers/sound system. The sound would only happen once before she recieved her text message. She recieved 2 text messages and oddly it happened twice. Of course this only happened when her phone was charging through the jack?

Actually, cell phones send their data in bursts (called frames) that happen to have a frequency in the audible range (around 27Hz). the frequency itself is 900MHz/1800MHz for GSM, but the bursts are sent every 37ms for a duration of 4.615ms each (8 time slotes on each channel)..

anyway, that's why we hear this interference when a mobile is activated next to a Radio, because the magnetic waves are bursty in a way that makes the speakers "capture" those waves and translate them into audible sounds (isn't it the job of a speaker?)... about SMS, you hear the interference before it actually arrives, because the mobile will start negotiating the connection with the base station and do the call setup procedure before the message actually arrives.

Respectable audio makers have their speakers/systems shielded againt electromagnetic interference (I know BOSE do that) so yes, i was surprised to notice that BMW have no shielding whatsoever in a way that makes listening to the radio while on the phone almost impossible!!!

Thanks for the tips. I have found the flashlight and the hidden electrical socket. But I couldn't get armrest to move forward. I have tried pressing to the top button and pulling the button underneath but it just opens up the top and bottom console. Couldn't get it to slide.

EDIT: It's a 2006 3.0i

Quote:

Originally Posted by garfield81 (Post 623589)

Pull up on the button underneath and give it a good push from behind to slide forward, it might have just been stuck there for a long time.;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaMbALoLoNg (Post 623591)

Pull up on the button underneath and give it a good push from behind to slide forward, it might have just been stuck there for a long time.;)

Thanks for the reply. Didn't want to force it as I didn't want to break it. I will try it and let you know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpineMsix (Post 227841)

dont know if this only works with navigations..

but if u hold the BC(board computer) button on the turn signal lever where ud check the gas mileage and all that.. if u held that button for 5secs..the navigation screen shows u all the things that show up on that board computer...

so i cancelled everything out, so when i browse through the board computer, it only shows me date,time, and miles left to drive on my tank..
instead of like timer, mpg, arrival date and all that stupid stuff

Wow. Thanks. I am glad I saw this. It sucked having to go through all of that! :thumbup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngo8 (Post 621242)

.... ohh yeah is there a way to get 3D maps on the nav? its being upgraded to v32 any help will be great.:thumbup:

Yes there is. You have to activate PERSPECTIVE view on the system (select SET, hold down MENU for 8 secs, activate Perspective) and use within the map (appropriate selection)

Is it possible to get the map detail down to 200ft? I saw it on my friend's E46 M3 navi but I can only get down to 400ft. Anyone?

Also the order you select the items that you want it to display will be displayed in that same order from then on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2006BMWx5 (Post 630167)

Wow. Thanks. I am glad I saw this. It sucked having to go through all of that! :thumbup: