What are some cool hidden functions of your BMW?

[luckydawg003]

Lets make a list of cool hidden functions our BMW's have that others may not know of.

I have an 07 328i and I like the automatic wipers by pushing in the switch on the right steering wheel shaft thing. I also like putting the car in DS by pushing the auto shifter to the left, and if you push it over to the left twice puts it in manual mode, only good for upshifting since it will automatically downshift.

Also just figured out the radio can read the fm stations song name being played with RDS.

Sure I missed a lot more, so please post your finds.

[mattjw916]

does the headlight washers getting stuck in the "up" position emptying your washer fluid reservoir onto the ground count?

[andrew b]

I like that if I forget to unfold the power mirrors, when I go 15 mph or so for a short distance they unfold themselves.

[mryakan]

So are we trying to list all the functions that are listed in the owners manual, or just those that people think are cool to have?
From what I can tell, all/most those listed above are in the manual, so not sure how you can label them as hidden!

[luckydawg003]

So are we trying to list all the functions that are listed in the owners manual, or just those that people think are cool to have?

From what I can tell, all/most those listed above are in the manual, so not sure how you can label them as hidden!

Yes, stuff that you may have missed in the owners manual. This is a big thread on the Mustang forums. So figured it could be on here too or not, whatever.

[anova]

So are we trying to list all the functions that are listed in the owners manual, or just those that people think are cool to have?
From what I can tell, all/most those listed above are in the manual, so not sure how you can label them as hidden!

probably because the owner manual is a novel

[Mighty22G]

I like that if I forget to unfold the power mirrors, when I go 15 mph or so for a short distance they unfold themselves.

Is there a setting to have them automatically fold on shutdown?...as I go to read the manual....

[mryakan]

probably because the owner manual is a novel

Makes for a good bathroom reading . No seriously, am I the only one who went through the whole manual the first few days of ownership trying everything listed?

[witeagle]

I read the manual but there are things you miss ir forget if you don't use the feature that often. Good thread to remind us of the features.

One of my favorite features is the ability to send an address to the nav system from google maps on my pc.

Justin

[ndog14]

Makes for a good bathroom reading . No seriously, am I the only one who went through the whole manual the first few days of ownership trying everything listed?

No, I did everything except trying to jumpstart from the prongs in the engine compartment

[Titanium09]

No seriously, am I the only one who went through the whole manual the first few days of ownership trying everything listed?

I read the whole manual DAYS before I got the car ;-)

[Critter7r]

Lets make a list of cool hidden functions our BMW's have that others may not know of.

....

My car sneaks out in the middle of the night and runs Mexicans across the border.

[ElRedOne]

does the headlight washers getting stuck in the "up" position emptying your washer fluid reservoir onto the ground count?

Does not qualify; it's not "hidden". I don't think this is in the manual. You can cancel the turn signals by tapping the lever in the same direction as that used to start them. No awkward R-no-L-no-R blinking.

[AndreyT]

Yesterday I found two M&Ms under the passenger seat (a yellow one and a blue one). It is not in the manual.

Probably all of the official features are in the manual, of course. Although I only recently discovered that one can open all the windows and the sunroof by holding the "open" button down for extended time (BMW sent out a postcard with a bunch of tips and tricks).

A truly hidden "Easter egg" feature is probably the rear fog light functionality that is fully implemented in US cars, but blocked at the level of "user interface", i.e. the button is not depressible.

[Kredithai]

Not really a function, but I still have yet to extract the hidden ski bag in the rear arm rest.

[int2str]

Not really a function, but I still have yet to extract the hidden ski bag in the rear arm rest.

Don't do it! :p
It's a major pain in the rear to fold it back in a way that the two flaps still close properly.

But here's a related trick I didn't know about:
Instead of pushing the button on the ski bag to unfold the two flaps and "release" the ski-bag, you can lift the handle surrounding the button to take the whole bag out as one piece. That way you can put bulky items through to the passenger compartment without unfolding the bag.

[AndreyT]

What "ski bag" are you talking about? I mean, did you order it with a ski bag specifically? Because the base configuration in 2011 comes with a flat storage box under the rear armrest (instead of the ski bag). The round button opens the storage box lid, while the flap allows one to pull the entire box out and open the rectangular passage into the trunk (or out of the trunk, depending on which compartment one's locked in).

[Patrick719]

What "ski bag" are you talking about? I mean, did you order it with a ski bag specifically? Because the base configuration in 2011 comes with a flat storage box under the rear armrest (instead of the ski bag). The round button opens the storage box lid, while the flap allows one to pull the entire box out and open the rectangular passage into the trunk (or out of the trunk, depending on which compartment one's locked in).

Ski bag is part of the cold weather package.

[floydr]

Ski bag is part of the cold weather package.

Only until 2008/2009. Not there in 2010 - you have to buy it as an accessory.

[Cir14]

air conditioned cup holder in the center console

[Kredithai]

Courtesy lighting - push to eject your key, then tug your high beams on

[Blue330i2006]

Makes for a good bathroom reading . No seriously, am I the only one who went through the whole manual the first few days of ownership trying everything listed?

Yes!

My favorite feature is taking out the FOB and not opening the door, Pushing the start button again and starting the car, then reinserting the dead Fob for charging. Or to run the A/C to cool or heat to warm while I am inside comfy.

Y

A truly hidden "Easter egg" feature is probably the rear fog light functionality that is fully implemented in US cars, but blocked at the level of "user interface", i.e. the button is not depressible.

Ordered switch from dealer for this. 22$. swapped in parking lot with BMW screwdriver.

[Wally Buca]

BMW Apps. My 2011 328i xDrive has it's own Facebook account. It posts customized status updates using variables taken from the car's sensors, like outside temp, destination, current song being played by the iPod, etc.

Same with Twitter.

Integration with my calendar and contacts on my iPhone.

It's the gift that keeps on giving!

[900rr]

I just discovered that if you press and hold a phone button on the steering wheel Display will switch to phone menu.

[scooter2525]

Yesterday I found two M&Ms under the passenger seat (a yellow one and a blue one). It is not in the manual.

Probably all of the official features are in the manual, of course. Although I only recently discovered that one can open all the windows and the sunroof by holding the "open" button down for extended time (BMW sent out a postcard with a bunch of tips and tricks).

A truly hidden "Easter egg" feature is probably the rear fog light functionality that is fully implemented in US cars, but blocked at the level of "user interface", i.e. the button is not depressible.

Tried the drive window and the sunroof. No dice. How did u do it?

And what rear foglights?