[JDsX3]

As I was waiting at a light today, I noticed the small horizontal rubber 'button' at the lower left corner of my dash, below the gas gauge. I did not remember it nor ever using it, so I pressed it.

Turns out it is used to reset the trip odometer to zero, normally when you refill the gas (and hence its proximity to the gas gauge). I had always used the reset button on the stalk to do the same. So much simpler, and in hindsight, logical.

[Admiral]

It took me a while to find that button

[ramparts]

excellent HVAC system for contact free de-icing. Wife's mazda cx-30 (3 months old) took almost 10 minutes to clear it's windshield today.

My X3 - 90 seconds.

[titomi]

Originally Posted by JDsX3

As I was waiting at a light today, I noticed the small horizontal rubber 'button' at the lower left corner of my dash, below the gas gauge. I did not remember it nor ever using it, so I pressed it.

Turns out it is used to reset the trip odometer to zero, normally when you refill the gas (and hence its proximity to the gas gauge). I had always used the reset button on the stalk to do the same. So much simpler, and in hindsight, logical.

The button and the stalk are for two different trip recordings Button is for trip distance, stalk for trip computer. Trip computer can be set to reset automatically after 4 hours of standstill. It also has value for consumption. So I would say, you can use:
1. button/distance to record distance between refueling
2. stalk/computer to record trips distance and fuel consumption on that trips regardless of refuelling

[Unit J]

Great thread!!!

[PX3]

Originally Posted by davidoff86

excellent HVAC system for contact free de-icing. Wife's mazda cx-30 (3 months old) took almost 10 minutes to clear it's windshield today.

My X3 - 90 seconds.

Is that with just using the Max button?

[ramparts]

Originally Posted by PX3

Is that with just using the Max button?

Yup!

[RichardJ]

Originally Posted by davidoff86

excellent HVAC system for contact free de-icing. Wife's mazda cx-30 (3 months old) took almost 10 minutes to clear it's windshield today.

My X3 - 90 seconds.

I do find the wing mirrors take ages to clear. The manual says they are auto activated when temperature is below a certain level but is there any way to get it to defrost faster? I’ve been doing by hand which is not very nice! Had this with my 2013 3 series and was disappointed to find the same with the X3.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

I do find the wing mirrors take ages to clear. The manual says they are auto activated when temperature is below a certain level but is there any way to get it to defrost faster? I’ve been doing by hand which is not very nice! Had this with my 2013 3 series and was disappointed to find the same with the X3.

This has been a BMW issue for some time...I believe it's because the mirrors are heated permanently when the temps drops below a certain level so the power rating is quite low for it not to be a current drain. Had the mirrors been manually switched it would be more reasonable to them to have a higher power rating. It's annoying especially when the mirrors are wet in temps of like 5C, which we often have in the UK.

[Skotcoop]

Originally Posted by JDsX3

As I was waiting at a light today, I noticed the small horizontal rubber 'button' at the lower left corner of my dash, below the gas gauge. I did not remember it nor ever using it, so I pressed it.

Turns out it is used to reset the trip odometer to zero, normally when you refill the gas (and hence its proximity to the gas gauge). I had always used the reset button on the stalk to do the same. So much simpler, and in hindsight, logical.

I found mine right away after it took me a month or 2 before I realized my 135i even had one lol. Also can you wipe your steering column and cluster down? My OCD is kicking in something fierce.

[JDsX3]

Originally Posted by Skotcoop

I found mine right away after it took me a month or 2 before I realized my 135i even had one lol. Also can you wipe your steering column and cluster down? My OCD is kicking in something fierce.

Oh, sorry to kick off your OCD. Yup, it would have been nicer to wipe everything down, but I took the image after being in the desert (you know, dust, sand, etc.) as I was thinking about this thread.

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by Fenders

If you rotate your head a bit like a puzzled canine, it comes back into view. Not saying that's a good option, but it works.

I liked my frames so ending up replacing the glass with non-polarised lenses. Problem solved so I can appreciate the HUD.

[dreamerM40i]

I just realized today that the new X3 does not have headlight washers as in previous generation...does anyone know the reason...or is it missing in my car..🤔

[JSY]

Originally Posted by dreamerM40i

I just realized today that the new X3 does not have headlight washers as in previous generation...does anyone know the reason...or is it missing in my car..🤔

No longer offered as of 2018 so you're not missing it. Not sure of the reasoning because I thought it was useful.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by dreamerM40i

I just realized today that the new X3 does not have headlight washers as in previous generation...does anyone know the reason...or is it missing in my car..🤔

Washers seem to have been a legal requirement in some countries for Xenon lights. The move to LEDs for some reason avoids this. I've no idea why.

[Admiral]

I/m on my third X3 and never had H/L washers

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by Admiral

I/m on my third X3 and never had H/L washers

I had two F25s, the one with Xenons came with washers, the one with halogens didn't. Were you're halogens? (if they were F25s)

[Speedbird1]

Had headlamp washers on my F25 - never felt they did much other than soak my newly waxed bonnet ! So I'm pleased they were a delete on the G01

[Admiral]

Originally Posted by clivem2

I had two F25s, the one with Xenons came with washers, the one with halogens didn't. Were you're halogens? (if they were F25s)

Both with halogens

[satz]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Washers seem to have been a legal requirement in some countries for Xenon lights. The move to LEDs for some reason avoids this. I've no idea why.

I think it's due to the potential for any dirt/marks on the outer headlight lens to diffract the very intense light produced by the xenon tubes, which could then dazzle oncoming drivers?

I guess LED illumination doesn't diffract in the same way, and/or is not as intense?

[brettl]

My f25 had xenon lights with headlight washers. G01 with led does not. Was wondering why they don’t add them anymore too. Do other G models have headlight washers or have they been phased out on other models too? I wonder if it’s a market specific feature now?

[JBNH]

I could be mistaken, but if I remember right from the Xenon days, the washers were used to keep crud build up from overheating the lens housing, since Xenon's got so hot.