Cool X5 E70 "Hidden" features many don't know
 

To emulate an article on the E53 forum for the same topic, might as well start one for the E70:D. Have you discovered any?

Power source/cigarette lighter in the front ashtray is now switched and turns off when the key is out. No longer stays on like the 53.:thumbup:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...now-about.html

I know, I'm a party pooper.

- not sure I like that the cig lighter has no power when the vehicle is off... isn't that where trickle chargers plug in to feed the battery?
- opening/closing windows without getting into the vehicle first is awesome and plenty useful (opening especially great for the summer)
- panic mode with the remote is annoying as most of the time I just want to pop the trunk before I get there by holding the button 2-3 seconds... sometimes too short (won't open) and sometimes too long (alarm sounds).

BTW, anyone know if the comfort access remote is a regular remote battery (and not ignition-chargeable)? Didn't see an easy way to pop that open for a replacement.

If you hold down the HUD display button for about 30 seconds, a hidden menu comes up on the HUD. I am not sure what exactly it does, but it is settings, configurations, and tests for the HUD.

Comfort Access is not rechargeable in the ignition. To open the fob, remove the emergency manual key and pop open the backside lid.

I don't like how the AC power is now disconnected with the ignition off...........I preferred it the "always on" like in the X3 and older Bimmers.

What I don't like about AC and fan is that it comes back on after the vehicles sits parked and shut off for a while. I mean, I turn off the fan and compressor by pushing on the small fan button until it turns off. Then I park, kill the engine, and walk away. If I come back and start the engine in the next 20 minutes or so, AC stays turned off. But if I come back after a longer period of time, it turns itself back on with the softest setting of the fan and working compressor.

Storage compartment in rear under right side of tool kit could be used as beer storage area....;)..:D

yeah, just add ice.

Found this by accident trying to pull the ashtray out.
If you pull on the cigarette holder in the ashtray the circular piece will pop out.
This frees up a little more space in the ashtray.

:cool:, That's just great for us non-smokers.:thumbup:

I was talking about accessory power from the cigarette outlets. The overcomplicated climate control is just an X5 thing.

I wrote a post a couple weeks ago about the CC Stalk has a second position that either speeds or slows to the next 5mph increment. I guess that counts.
I did notice one thing on the auto tailgate. If you get out and the doors are locked, with the exception of yours, obviously, you can get the auto tailgate to open and rise, but not to shut. Only if you hit the unlock button so that ALL doors are unlocked, then open it will you be able to use the close feature.
I kept wondering why I had to manhually close my hatch sometimes, and I had a guy with me who told me to make sure I unlocked all doors first and then see. It has not failed me since.

There is a possibility that power-close does not work because the lower section of the tailgate is not firmly shut. Next time this happens, try to listen for relay clicks when you push the "close" button. If you hear relays clicking and the tailgate does not close, try opening and closing the lower section of the tailgate firmly.

HUD
 

What do you mean by Holding down the HUD display button, where is this found.
Thanks

You need to have ALL doors unlocked (not just the drivers) to get the petrol flap open..... (looked like an idiot the first fill-up when I couldn't figure out why the flap was locked.... actually had to ring BMW assist:tapping::tapping::tapping:)

Cheers

J

I tried this but it didn't work. :dunno: The upper tailgate opened, but it wouldn't close when I hit the button on the dash.

It does for me!

Maybe it doesn't work on US models. :dunno:

I don't think it does work onUS models cause mine and my buddies don't work withthe dash switch..PITA

Yup! In US models, you cannot close the tailgate with the fob or via the button on the dash. The only way to close the tailgate is by pushing the button on the tailgate itself.

auto tailgate closing does not work with any buttons other than the on the actual tailgate in US models. It was done that way for safety reasons which apparently only the US cares about. Same reason US models do not close their windows automatically by holding the lock button on the FOB.

Sorry. I meant the "close" button on the lift gate itself. I know it won't close from the dash. My mistake

Yeah... Every place else, they want their customers to maim themselves! Actually, I think it is b/c of litigation purposes here and othe BS reasons. Every place else seems to have a little more common sense. Our first response is to sue.

If you hold down the tailgate button on the key, the tailgate will close but you have to keep the button pushed until it closes.

Doesn't holding down the tailgate button sound the panic alarm?

Shortcut in I-drive

It is probably already in the manual, but I have noticed it by accident. If you are somewhere in the I-drive menu and you hold the button to the right, left or whatever side there is in the main menu, it will bring you directly to this menu. So Right for example is navigation. I think it is quit handy, for example when I am selecting a number from my ipod and I quickly want to go to navigation I just hold the I-drive button to the right.

Anyone noticed that if you try to reverse with your driver's door open and your seat belt off, it does not allow you to put into reverse gear. Automatically switched it to "P" gear.

Not sure if this is safety feature?

With the engine off (and no key inserted) you can turn on the radio by holding down its 'on/off' button

it will for us... we can't close anything by remote... that whole safety thing.

I have a question - should I take my car to Mexico, for example, and have their technicians program my 2009 X5 in order to override the overly-cautious US standards for opening/closing the windows, lift and sunroof via the remote? Also, I am curious if the DVD functionality would be viewable when driving in excess of THREE f-ing miles per hour ;)

you can open the windows by pressing and holding the unlock button.

if you dont have the USB adaptor for an MP3 player you sneak a
thin AUX cable through the any of the cracks of the center console.

if youre having trouble cleaning the cup holders, you can simply
remove the rubber part of the cup holders by squeezing it in the
middle and lifting.

if youre on the run, and you need a place where to put your
trunk seperator, you could put it on the floor, behind the driver
and passenger seats.

i dont know if you guys did this, but i bought a sticky pad and cut
it to fit the little flat space there is between the speed dials and
the steering wheel. thats where i put my fone.

I dont have anymore... thats about it.

Might have been mentioned elsewhere: if you want to leave your dog in the car, pressing the lock button twice locks the car and disables the interior motion sensor.

Or rather than going to mexico just buy a cable and recode it yourself.

Not sure it was already mentioned.
For cars without comfort access: insert the key fob in its slot, turn ON the engine then turn it OFF. Remove the key fob and now turn ON the engine. You only have about five seconds to do it.
Nice feature if you want to leave the car running and lock the doors too.