Parking release tool

Does the E70 have an orange emergency release tool for the gearbox in the boot along with the towing eye and screwdriver? My 2012 does not have this orange tool and wondered if anyone has a similar age car would have a look in the boot and see if there should be one there. I have read on some forum that cars with the 8 speed auto box do not come with this tool, but on other forums it is mentioned as being present.

Thanks

 

Mine doesn't have this tool either

 

Chances are I'm wrong,

However, is the tool you describe not for Handbrake ???
Hooks onto the handbrake cable in the boot to allow release in the event of electronic handbrake system failure

 

I thought the tool was to put the gearbox into neutral if the gearbox fails?

 

Yes, I think that's what it's for. It goes into a slot in the cup holder in front of the gear selector. It gets called various things

 

Is this the tool



Last time I looked, I can't remember if it's they're, must look

 

Yep, thats the one. I am trying to get the dealer to get one for me.

 

The 8 speed gearbox in later cars doesn't have a manual release via that anymore for security. The tool does both the gear box and also release the handbrake but on the x5s that don't have them the handbrake release cable in the rear left has got a loop in it to just pull manually with your hand. This will be the case in yours so the tool will be of no use to you for either purpose.

 

Thanks for clarifying, I thought I was misleading and gibbering! To the point I doubted myself!

 

Thanks for clarifying things

Can you say where the handbrake release cable is please - just in case I ever need to use it

 

If you pull down the left hand boot side panel, look in near the back there should be a loop of cable sticking up from the body.

 

Thanks

 

IIRC the 8-speed ZF boxes do have a release to get it into Neutral but it's only accessible from underneath the car.

(IMO, a very odd idea going to such lengths to prevent people getting out of Park.)

 

They do but have you tried removing the under panels with the car on the floor. The theory is If someone were to try and steal the car that would hinder them.

 

I often wonder what the situation would be if we lost our electrics, or the car couldn't crank over. There is a way to get to neutral if the engine cranks but won't start (if any of us can remember the "electronic transmission emergency release" sequence).

Ok, we can have a copy of the release procedures (electronic and mechanical undercar release) in the glove box. But imagine the scenario, mid roundabout and total failure... a sitting duck and how do you get the car moving?

Peter

 

If you can't crank to do the emergency release then calling recovery is going to be the only option isn't it.

 

I don't understand makers' paranoia about preventing an autobox getting out of Park easily. If it were a real safety concern they'd be doing something similar to the manual models. And, as Peter implies, it's *more* of a danger to have the system so tied down.

 

Maybe it's to prevent the temptation to tow the car with the wheels on the ground, in theory a recovery company will know that it needs a flatbed to prevent gearbox damage.

 

Does that mean the car has to be lifted onto a recovery vehicle?

 

Nah, too rare an occurance for most cars. It's more likely a design change or five between ZF & BMW that's accidentally caused an unusable system.

The initial 90s foot-on-brake and no-removing-key-if-not-in-Park stemmed from the American market's desire that drivers should take no responsibility for anything, ever. Eventually they'll insist that the gear lever is set in concrete to prevent it ever being missed. Or have a bong to tell the driver when they're moving. And stopped.