Xoutpost.com - Alternator left me stranded-Couple of suggestions...

Alternator died while I was driving. Cluster lit up like a Christmas tree and had multiple failure warnings. Went into limp mode so I pulled over and tried to "reboot". Well after that it was all over. It was dark and I had no lights, no hazards, and no heat. Luckily my cell phone helped me look around the car for my AAA card and I called the tow truck. Remembering that I couldn't get the car into neutral without power I Googled "Emergency transmission release e70 X5" and found a good video showing how to get it into neutral.

Problem is, the tool to do that and the tow hook are both in the back of the X5 under the floor and guess what, there's no way to open the tailgate from the outside. Later on I found the release to open it from the inside , but it was too late.

In order to open the storage compartment I had to lower the back seats and then contort myself so I was able to open the latch, lift the cover, and reach in to grab the emergency release tool and tow hook.

Oh, one other thing. When we got the X5 to the closed dealership, there was no way to remove the key. Had to leave it with the key inside and doors unlocked!

Anyhow, I suggest you learn to open the tailgate from inside with the emergency release and possibly keep the tools somewhere where they are easier to get to along with a good LED flashlight.

BTW, to release the transmission, you pull the insert out from the left cupholder, open a plastic cap using the end of the tool, and then insert the tool with the handle facing the right side of the car. You then push down and twist clockwise 90 degrees to release the transmission.