Shift to neutral without starting
 

How do you put the transmission into neutral without starting it? I want to roll it down the driveway and don't need to start the X5.

Hm, interesting, never tried that. Maybe press the start button (but DON'T step on brake) and then step on brake and move to neutral?? I dunno.

I think it's all electronic... not sure how that would work...

which brings me to another question... has anyone had any issues in the winter time disengaging the park after sitting in the freezing cold for days..

somehow it looks like there's no cable or physical pull that releases the parking brake.. (which makes me question the amount of strength available to electronically release it if it were frozen/stuck)

dumb question but I'm curious on how this design works! and how reliable it is...

anyone have any ideas???

umm.. i dont think its possible...
when my fathers 760 was flooded (rained real hard) we were trying to
get the car in neutral to push it on higher grounds
but the car wont start, so it stayed in park...
it was one of the most painful things to see...
a BMW helpless, floating...

To tell you more, if you are driving and want to shift to neutral, it wouldn't work too! Because electronics thinks you do it accidentally. Only if you try second time, it will shift it...

Whatever you do, don't try anything unless you're on flat ground, not on your driveway. It's all electronic so you don't know what will not work when the engine is not running.

It won't work...I've tried it multiple times (key in pocket, key in slot, ignition position 1, position 2, brakes, no brakes) and it doesn't let you do it. Seems like it's not gonna happen with the e70.

Somehow it must. What about if you need a tow and the car won't start?

without manually releasing the transmission lock you have to start car (with fob in) put in neutral, and then turn off.

I think you have to use the tool in the rear in the slot under the front cupholder to release it.