BMW X3
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01-02-2011
///MPower_2014 user avatar
///MPower_2014
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See subject for question.
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01-02-2011
fedinand user avatar
fedinand
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auto hill hold function i believe...
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01-02-2011
jijioben user avatar
jijioben
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It is the auto hold feature that keeps the parking brake on as you release the brakes until you push on the accelerator (up to a maximum of about 5 seconds). This way, you can start on slopes without backing up when you release the brakes. I tried it on the X6 and I found I could not get used to it: I like releasing the brakes myself. But I have not tried in on the X3 yet... Here's hoping it is as much improved as everything else.
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01-03-2011
CarolinaBlue user avatar
CarolinaBlue
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jijioben wrote
It is the auto hold feature that keeps the parking brake on as you release the brakes until you push on the accelerator (up to a maximum of about 5 seconds). This way, you can start on slopes without backing up when you release the brakes. I tried it on the X6 and I found I could not get used to it: I like releasing the brakes myself. But I have not tried in on the X3 yet... Here's hoping it is as much improved as everything else.
To each their own. I've used it a couple of times and liked it each time.
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01-03-2011
Tauvil user avatar
Tauvil
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Didn't realize it's only good for about 5 seconds. Good to know before I tried it at a red light while reaching into the back for something!
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01-03-2011
jijioben user avatar
jijioben
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Tauvil wrote
Didn't realize it's only good for about 5 seconds. Good to know before I tried it at a red light while reaching into the back for something!
I think I made a mistake: I read the X5/X6 manual again and there is no mention of the 5-second rule. I definitely waited for longer than 5 seconds while driving with no ill effects. I remember reading about the 5-second delay somewhere, but it must have been for another feature, and I confused it for Auto Hold.

:sigh: Apologies!
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01-12-2011
Nahoa user avatar
Nahoa
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Used it during a test drive and it held seemingly indefinitely. The dealer described it as a "hill hold" function (though I thought BMW steptronics did that automatically, so confused a bit there) but also more as a function for stop and go traffic. Need only use accelerator for short moves and the Auto H function stops and holds you between moves. Don't know if I can get used to that, but it worked on the lot . . .
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02-07-2011
acer2974 user avatar
acer2974
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Tried it. No time limit. It's great. Don't have to put your foot on the brake at stop lights. Just touch the throttle and it instantly releases.
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02-07-2011
Nahoa user avatar
Nahoa
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+1 re acer's comments; wasn't sure at first, but after 3 days I think I like the feature. Was a bit apprehensive at first sitting a stop lights and such, but the system held consistently and I realized that if it let go (no reason to think it would) it would be a simple thing to get my foot to the brake. Once I became confident in the system, it produced even smoother take-away from stop (for passenger comfort) than switching foot from break and onto gas and pressing down.
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02-07-2011
kmarei user avatar
kmarei
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by default is it on or off?
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05-11-2019
DevsX5 user avatar
DevsX5
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Does anyone know if autostart / stop turns off when using auto hold? My 2017 x5 has both of these features and I don't belive the auto start stop works...
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05-11-2019
Wgosma user avatar
Wgosma
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kmarei wrote
by default is it on or off?
Off
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05-11-2019
MetaX user avatar
MetaX
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They should rename it to "drive-thru" mode...
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05-12-2019
BMWZ4 user avatar
BMWZ4
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///MPower_2014 wrote
See subject for question.
See manual for solution
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05-12-2019
pungo user avatar
pungo
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///MPower_2014 wrote
See subject for question.
BMWZ4 wrote
See manual for solution
:lol:
+1 :sign0012:
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05-13-2019
Msportdriver1 user avatar
Msportdriver1
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People read your manual but just in case this is to difficult: the "auto h"button is to select the automatic handbrake function on. Instead of you using the handbrake button anytime you stop it instantly applies the handbrake and release's when you depress the accelerator. there is no time limit, it is not a specific hill start option it is just an auto handbrake. The only down / upside to it dependent on your point of view is it must be selected on every time you switch the car on.
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05-13-2019
pokerface user avatar
pokerface
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DevsX5 wrote
Does anyone know if autostart / stop turns off when using auto hold? My 2017 x5 has both of these features and I don't belive the auto start stop works...
car will not restart if Auto Hold applied the brakes and you release the brake pedal. once you apply throttle the engine will restart.

Bonus trick: you can also just pull up on the E Brake while the car is stationary and in Drive, and it will Auto Hold for you one time (you don't need to press the Auto H button)
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01-26-2023
Paras Waiba user avatar
Paras Waiba
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AUTO/H on my BMW X6 is an electric parking brake! Best used when you stop at Red lights just press the AUTO/H button (you will see a green message in your dashboard). NO need to put gear in N or press your brake! Once you have green light press the AUTO/H button again and drive! It is as simple as that!
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01-27-2023
brianhinton77 user avatar
brianhinton77
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First resurrection of this thread ….8 years….second resurrection……3.75 years…the Auto H…:)
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01-29-2023
Qsilver7 user avatar
Qsilver7
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Paras Waiba wrote
AUTO/H on my BMW X6 is an electric parking brake! Best used when you stop at Red lights just press the AUTO/H button (you will see a green message in your dashboard). NO need to put gear in N or press your brake! Once you have green light press the AUTO/H button again and drive! It is as simple as that!
If you don’t want to keep the brake pedal pressed when you’re driving from red light to red light or in a drive-thru lane or in stop-n-go traffic jam…there’s no need to keep pressing AUTO-H on and off. Once you have activated it…it will hold the brakes every time you stop…then just press the accelerator and it releases the brake as you move forward. Physically turning it off and on is redundant because it will hold the brakes every time you come to a stop…then release when you take off…all by itself without turning it off/on…hence the name AUTO-H. :)

As mentioned early on in this thread..the way this feature works is in the owners manual…and since iDrive has an embedded owners manual it is VERY easy to find using one of the search features iDrve. A KEYWORD SEARCH enter AUTO…should take you right to it.

There might even be an embedded video (animated explanations) in iDrive.
An image attached to this post, provided by the posterAn image attached to this post, provided by the poster
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01-30-2023
bmwPower99 user avatar
bmwPower99
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Another benefit of Auto H enabled is when you shutdown your car, the parking brake is applied automatically. Continuous use of the parking brake lever is known to crack the plastic.
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01-01-2024
BMWZ4 user avatar
BMWZ4
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Few read their owner's manual...digital or print...wow...just drive, figure shite out as you go...yep, makes total sense 😂
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