BMW E36 Blog

BMW E36 Features You Don’t Know About

17th June 2008

BMW E36 Features You Don’t Know About

posted in Exterior, Interior, Technical Info, Tips & Tricks, Uncategorized |


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Hi Guys,

I’ve found a thread on the bimmer forums talking about the features that some of us don’t even know they exist in their cars. So, I thought it would be cool to share them with you and see if you already knew about all these or not. So, let’s start:-

1. Speed Sensitive Volume (Harmon Kardon Audio System).
2. Speed Sensitive Wipers:- In the rain, the wipers will change their speed according to the car speed. The 3 settings for the wipers speed are:-
   a. Intermittent:- Wipers go intermittently at speeds above 3 mph (about) and do not work at all when stopped.
   b. Speed one:- Wipers go slowly at speeds above 3 mph (about) and go intermittently when stopped.
   c. Speed two:- Wipers go fast at speeds above 3 mph (about) and slowly when stopped.
3. Closing All Windows and Sunroof By Holding Key in the Lock Position. (Didn’t work on my BMW E36 1993 318is though. I think it’s a 94+ feature). Take a look at this BMW E36 M3 Review and Info.
4. Gas Door Closes with Central Lock.
5. Heated Windshield Nozzles (Winter Package).
6. Heated Door Locks (Winter Package).
7. Tilt Steering Wheel. Anyone got this?
8. Cupholder/Central Console is pre-wired for the ashtray light.
9. Secret OBC Functions.
10. Heated Mirrors.
11. The BC Button On The Signal Selector. Just click your signal stick towards the steering wheel column. You can switch the OBC functions this way.
12. After you park the car you can switch on the parking lights on one side of the car only. To do this, just switch the car off and push the indicator stalk all the way up or down (it’s quite stiff). The right or the left parking light will turn on.

So, what do you think? Did you know about all these features? be HONEST 😈

 

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There are currently 11 responses to “BMW E36 Features You Don’t Know About”

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  1. 1 On June 18th, 2008, Jim K said:

    Two things..

    4. Gas Door Closes with Central Lock.

    I think the gas door locks with the central lock, it doesn’t actually close.

    11. The BC Button On The Signal Selector.

    If you push and hold you can specify which functions you want the BC button to cycle through. I don’t remember the actually process for doing it, but I do remember it is obvious and initiated by pressing and holding the bc button in. I have mine cycling through on three functions right now: outside temp, range, and consume 1

  2. 2 On June 18th, 2008, Tony Sticks said:

    @Jim K:

    4. Gas Door Closes with Central Lock.

    I think the gas door locks with the central lock, it doesn’t actually close.

    LOL! You’re right 😀

    11. The BC Button On The Signal Selector.

    If you push and hold you can specify which functions you want the BC button to cycle through. I don’t remember the actually process for doing it, but I do remember it is obvious and initiated by pressing and holding the bc button in. I have mine cycling through on three functions right now: outside temp, range, and consume 1

    It’s simple. Just keep pushing the single selector until the OBC screen starts flashing. Then click the functions on the OBC that you need to cycle through then push the signal selector again. At least, that’s how I did it if I remember correctly :p

  3. 3 On June 19th, 2008, Baback said:

    The Steering Wheel tilt I have for my ’94 M3 just so you know. It does exist.

  4. 4 On June 24th, 2008, Tony Sticks said:

    @Baback: Any chance to get some photos for it?

  5. 5 On June 27th, 2008, zouza said:

    Tony
    indicator stalk is the signal indicator?how to do the last hint….?

    and for the Speed Sensitive Wipers, i guess it s for the E46 not the E36. does anyone has that option? and how to initiate this thing or stop it ?

  6. 6 On June 27th, 2008, Tony Sticks said:

    @zouza: Hi, For the signal indicator trick. It’s really easy. Just examine the signal indicator carefully you will find an arrow there with “BC” on it. push the signal indicator in the direction of the arrow. You can also read my post The BC Button On The Signal Selector which shows that trick in pictures 😀

    About the speed sensitive wipers. I have that and I think everyone does. To check if it’s working for you, just put the wipers speed on second level while driving, then stop your car. You will notice that the speed of the wipers has changed (became slower). I don’t think this is optional in E36, so if it doesn’t work for you, maybe it’s broken somehow.

  7. 7 On July 1st, 2008, zouza said:

    no tony , i was asking about the last feature n.12 (After you park the car you can switch on the parking lights on one side of the car only. To do this, just switch the car off and push the indicator stalk all the way up or down (it’s quite stiff). The right or the left parking light will turn on.)

    so is the indicator stalk the same as signal stick? and should i push harder to switch on the parking lights on one side of the car .

    i had an english version of the owner manual , but dunno where is it . will search and upload it…

  8. 8 On July 1st, 2008, Tony Sticks said:

    @zouza: Exactly! Just use the signal stick as you use it normally, but push it a little bit more up or down. You will notice that one side of the car lights turn on.

  9. 9 On July 4th, 2008, M_Parallel said:

    I have tilt option too. BMW’s are full of hidden features. There’s also hidden menu’s (depending on year model) in the gauge cluster and (old type) Digital Climate Control units.

    18 button OBC’s have a complete hidden menu where functions as Digital Speedo in km/h, amount of fuel left in Litres (works real time) and a car’s electrical system voltage indicator.

  10. 10 On December 28th, 2008, John Gould said:

    “12. After you park the car you can switch on the parking lights on one side of the car only. To do this, just switch the car off and push the indicator stalk all the way up or down (it’s quite stiff). The right or the left parking light
    will turn on.”

    I am not sure if my 94 325ic has this. I tried it but I am afraid I am going to break my turn signal stalk. Is this feature on the ones made for the US? How hard do you have to push it?

  11. 11 On December 28th, 2008, Tony Sticks said:

    @John: I had this feature in my 89 BMW E30 also. So, I think this feature is there in your car. You don’t need to push it very hard, but I guess you should push it the same way you do with your wipers or maybe a little bit more.