Secret features in cars

[Stevoraith]

The other thing my missus does in the bmw which is totally unnecessary is pressing P on the gear selector.
When you come to a stop your foot will be on the brake and if you press the engine stop button it automatically goes into park.

[pshanks76]

Yeah, saw that tip on a video, it's a good one to know

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[ed]

Took me several months to work out how to lock my keyless golf without using the fob...

[KennyT]

Holding this button with your iPhone connected through Bluetooth calls up Siri, “read text message”, “reply to message”, “play podcasts”, “what’s my schedule today”, “what’s the weather” etc etc, I find it really useful.

Pushing the button still brings up the cars own fairly useless voice recognition, holding it to call Siri is handy.


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[Stevoraith]

Whaaaaat!? I did not know that. I was contemplating paying to have CarPlay enabled so that I could have texts read out. That’s very handy, cheers Kenny

And yes, the BMW voice recognition is pointless.

[campbell]

Woo. Even I might try that.

Albeit we already have CarPlay. Which is awesome but not really a secret feature.

[pshanks76]

I just found the split screen function on iDrive. Have to say, as someone who's never used it before it's an excellent system, much prefer it to the touch screen system that was in the Golf... Not constantly cleaning off fingerprints is a bonus too!*

*I know it's also touch screen but no real need to use that.

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[Sanjøy]

Took me several months to work out how to lock my keyless golf without using the fob...

Go on.

[ed]

There is a wee touch button built into the door handle that you press and it locks the car.

[Stevoraith]

I just found the split screen function on iDrive. Have to say, as someone who's never used it before it's an excellent system, much prefer it to the touch screen system that was in the Golf... Not constantly cleaning off fingerprints is a bonus too!*

*I know it's also touch screen but no real need to use that.

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The split screen function is great, and it’s the reason I always recommend anyone makes sure they get the pro nav over the business nav.
However if you’re not using the nav to guide you I find the tile view even better as you can have the small map, entertainment details and trip computer all on display at the same time.

No idea why they thought it necessary to make the screen touch sensitive, much easier to use the iDrive controller.
And when you use the system in a VW or Volvo for example, even though they are perfectly fine, it’s easy to see why journos say idrive is the best system.

[jason]

Took me several months to work out how to lock my keyless golf without using the fob...

I had to teach my VW salesman that. Nobody seems to RTFM nowadays!

There's more... to completely disable keyless entry (better peace of mind) lock using the key fob then, while the mirrors still folding in, touch that handle button. The indicators flash again, and keyless entry disabled

You have to do this every time, but it's become an easy habit.

[Sanjøy]

You’ve just made me go and test it out on the Merc.

[jason]

You’ve just made me go and test it out on the Merc.

Did it work? I think Merc have an easier way of achieving same? Confess I'd have the keyless access permanently deactivated on my car if I could. I love keyless ignition though.


I felt a new level of dejection when unsuccessfully trying the Bluetooth Siri trick described above. Doesn't seem to work on a VW.

[ed]

I confess, I have not read the manual.

Thanks for the tip Jason, appreciated!!

[Sanjøy]

You’ve just made me go and test it out on the Merc.

Did it work? I think Merc have an easier way of achieving same? Confess I'd have the keyless access permanently deactivated on my car if I could. I love keyless ignition though.


I felt a new level of dejection when unsuccessfully trying the Bluetooth Siri trick described above. Doesn't seem to work on a VW.

Opening obviously just works. Locking is a bit hit an prob need to do as Ed says and RTFM.

I do now use Siri all the time using the steering wheel button though! "Hey Siri play Collecting Cars podcast" worked perfectly yesterday.