"Secret" car features.
Discussion
wildcat45 said:
On my g ZT-T If you press the button on the key fob for so many seconds on entry, it adjusts the drivers seat to one of the presets. I only found out about it when reading the handbook.
Apparently if you hook it up to a workshop computer you can unlock other "Easter Eggs" like DRLs speed sensitive ocking, light delay and other stuff.
The T4 ones aren't very exciting, but the ZT (and 75 and E46's iirc) Have a "hidden" IPK display that shows you coolant temp, real speed, fuel level etc etc etc by pressing the trip reset button a certain number of times as you turn it on.Apparently if you hook it up to a workshop computer you can unlock other "Easter Eggs" like DRLs speed sensitive ocking, light delay and other stuff.
Pork said:
Lots of cars (not all) have a very subtle arrow next to or as part of the petrol gauge pointing to which side the petrol tank is on. I only learned this a few years back and no one I've asked since has ever known it!
On some cars there isn't an arrow, but the position of the pipe and nozzle on the icon indicates which side the filler cap's onOn small hatchbacks favoured by elderly drivers there's a lever between the seats with numbers on it. Moving it to 5 from the default setting of 1 causes the 'clock thingy' on the dashboard to go from 6500 to 1500 and activates the interior sound insulation system, as well as vastly improving fuel economy. Handy to know dearie.
Edited by Escort3500 on Saturday 11th May 06:59
mat777 said:
3 that I know of in my Discovery, all concerning the SLABS unit (body control ecu)
2. Normally when SLABS senses the centre difflock is engaged, it disables traction control. No idea why, but cutting the appropriate wire (or putting a switch inline) prevents this
Presumably the traction control gets a tad confused by the front and rear axles being physically forced to rotate at the same speed. Either that or it assumes you only lock the diff in interesting situations where it can be beneficial to control loss of traction yourself.2. Normally when SLABS senses the centre difflock is engaged, it disables traction control. No idea why, but cutting the appropriate wire (or putting a switch inline) prevents this
A lot of vehicles with centre difflocks do similar things, 90's Landcruisers turn ABS off when difflocked and pre-05 (or was it 03) DCCD equipped STi Imprezas don't have ABS at all because it wouldn't work with the difflock. After that they switched to DCCD-A which unlocks the diff as ABS triggers.
On the topic of Subarus, apparently the newage STI ECU has a certain combination of wiper, headlight, AC etc commands that can be used to unlock certain rally homologation functions such as lanch control and antilag.
Krikkit said:
M4cruiser said:
driverrob said:
While first gear crawling in a traffic jam in my old Mitsubishi GTO TT, I discovered that it senses extra demand for the air-con by increasing the idle revs slightly. A handy low speed control: air-con off, economy mode, full auto = 3 diff speeds.
The Nissan Primera mk2 does this too (only 1 speed though) - just switch the heater fan on to position 1 and the idle speed increases a little, handy for slow speeds.My Nissan Bluebird used to be capable of doing that and it had a carburettor. Any load on the engine at idle, causing the revs to drop, would trigger the idle up mechanism. This would open the throttle ever so slightly to balance the effect.
I'm pretty sure my Volvo 740 with mechanical injection was capable of the same thing. Modern cars seem to have anti-stall systems instead. My Dad's Mondeo will, when on the verge of stalling, rev itself to overcome poor clutch control. I've done this on purpose and it seems to work.
I don't think my 8th generation Accord has any secrets - but the handbook is nearly 650 pages long and it makes my head spin.
My old Prelude won't let you rev past the 5,200 rpm Vtec kick-in point unless it's in drive. It stops you going past 8,300 rpm too.
The 1.7 Alfa Boxer I had would stop you going past about 6,500 but I never did know whether it was meant to or not...
My old Prelude won't let you rev past the 5,200 rpm Vtec kick-in point unless it's in drive. It stops you going past 8,300 rpm too.
The 1.7 Alfa Boxer I had would stop you going past about 6,500 but I never did know whether it was meant to or not...
mk5 astra has a diagnostic screen, hold settings for 5 sec (until it beeps) then press BC to cycle through the screens.
Key out of ignition, drivers door open if you pull the left stalk back (high beam control) the headlights stay on for 30 seconds so you can see to the door or whatever. Vectra C does the same thing, but can't remember how to do it.
Neither of these are in the manual.
Key out of ignition, drivers door open if you pull the left stalk back (high beam control) the headlights stay on for 30 seconds so you can see to the door or whatever. Vectra C does the same thing, but can't remember how to do it.
Neither of these are in the manual.
duffy78 said:
"Things I didn't realise my car could do because I haven't read the manual"
My cars Manual consists of the following:Page 1: Congratulations on buying....blah...blah..blah.
Page 2: Driving: Steering wheel turns car, pedal on right makes it go faster, on left makes it go slower.
Page 3 to ~950: How work the iDrive.
No, i haven't bothered to read any further than page 2........ ;-)
Good thread. The place can get frightfully dull with all these 'What Car' commentaries and sad haranguing sessions about lorry drivers or the downtrodden assistants in Halfords.
Anyway, can only comment on cars I know:
SL55 AMG
To access the Engineer system menu: push and hold MUTE-1-3-9 for three seconds. Gains you ability to do things like enable DVD video etc.
CL55 AMG
The W215 class has most of it's fuse bays clearly labelled on the service maps. But there are hidden fuse boxes that even Indy's tend not to know about:
x4/10 fuse terminal is located underneath the carpeting on the passenger side foot well.
[I]x4/22 is located in the boot, on the passenger side rear wheel well [RHD]. Remove the battery cover and then the layering that covers the area from the tail lights to the petrol tank. Then look up into the wheel well area and you'll see the fuse terminal.
For 'Engineering mode':
1. Press SERV button
2. SYSTEM
3. LANGUAGE
4. While in the Language menu press (in exact order) and hold for about 10s.:
PHONE (DOWN)+UPPERLEFT ARROW+AUDIO
Apparently this works on the Viano and R-Class(?).
Unknown stuff
1. Turn ignition on and hold the "Rest" button for 7 seconds. Menu pops up for Climate Control area. You can the toggle through values NR.01 to NR.99 by pushing up or down the left (driver's side) temperature button.
2. Turn ignition on and hold the "Rest" and "Recirculate" button for 7 seconds. Another menu appears with what looks like a flying airplane tilting down to the left. Toggling through the values takes you from NR.01 to NR.13.
Further COMAND fun can be seen here: http://www.mercupgrades.com/Mercedes+COMAND+Diagno...
You can also have the Navigation system route the direction arrows and instructions to the display on the instrument dash (the small LCD between the bigger dials) whilst the larger TV screen contains other info like TV or FM/AM.
645ci
Fun car this one. Loads of gadgets and unknowns. I pissed around with the Universal Remote Control (under the rear view mirror) for ages to see if I could get it to 'play', but no joy. It doesn't work on passing dogs or pensioners earpieces. I'd be sat there like Knightrider pressing the buttons above my head hoping something would happen. Kind of fun driving up roads with fancy garages and seeing what would open when you pressed it. However, The iDrive hidden diagnostics menu is fairly familiar:
1. Press down the dial for 10 seconds and then let go
2. Turn dial clock-wise 3 clicks
3. Turn dial anti-clockwise 3 clicks
4. Turn dial clock-wise 1 click
5. Turn dial anti-clockwise 1 click
6. Turn dial clock-wise 1 click
7. Press the dial down briefly and the menu appears
Launch Control
1. Press the traction control button once to activate DTC
2. Push the gearbox to the left to DS mode
3. Push the Sport button
4. Put your left foot on the Brake
5. Push the accelerator beyond kick down
6. The revs will rise to between 1500-2000 and hold there
7. Release brake
Reset the transmission to allow re-learning
1. Turn the key to pre-ignition, then press down the accelerator beyond kickdown and hold for 30 seconds.
E46 M3 SMG
Launch control must have been done to death by now, but as I remember:
1. Sport mode on
2. DSC off
3. SMG to Manual
4. SMG Shift Control to Mode 6 (only accessible with DSC off)
5. Hold SMG lever forward (in downshift position)
6. Apply throttle
7. Release SMG
My brother and I in our stupid youthful period were mucking about with this on Marylebone Road, when up roared - I kid you not - Ronnie O'Sullivan with at the time brand-new Audi R8. He was laughing his head off as he pulled up alongside, loud music and foxy brunette completely covering him and the steering wheel.
"Nice car lads!!! I used to have one!!!", and then he roared off, brunette cackling too. The M3 just jerked along as our moment had come. And gone.
VW Golf
For the Climatronic readouts...
1. Push ECON and hold
2. At the same time push the VENT with the 'UP' arrow
3. Let go
4. Turn the Driver's side adjustment until 19.0 shows in the window (this will be in KPH)
5. Turn the center dial 1 notch clockwise (to the right) and 19.1 will be in the Driver's side window, and MPH will be displayed in the Passenger side window
6. Repeat step 5 until 19.3 is displayed on the Driver's side, and RPM will show on the passenger side.
7. Push ECON to exit
Other settings show individual temperature from around the car, oil pressure and temperature etc etc...
E53 X5
For me the X5 is just toy writ large. The ultimate Tonka truck. It's such a capable tool with features galore.
With the split gate down [which can comfortably support a grown man standing on it], there's a 12V socket in the rear bay. Great for plugging in adaptors for lamps, small heaters, air compressors etc.
With Keyless Go, you can unlock the car by mobile phone: if you get someone to ring you, and then press the blipper on their end loud enough to be heard by the speaker on your phone, it will unlock the car.
Flick the high beams when the car is off, and the Xenons will stay on for 30 seconds to light your path when walking from the car.
The panoramic roof is big enough to be able to allow [a gentle squeeze though] someone to stand up in the back of the car. Good for filming
Hill Descent Control also works in reverse...that is fun if mucking around somewhere big like a farm
Anyway, can only comment on cars I know:
SL55 AMG
To access the Engineer system menu: push and hold MUTE-1-3-9 for three seconds. Gains you ability to do things like enable DVD video etc.
CL55 AMG
The W215 class has most of it's fuse bays clearly labelled on the service maps. But there are hidden fuse boxes that even Indy's tend not to know about:
x4/10 fuse terminal is located underneath the carpeting on the passenger side foot well.
[I]x4/22 is located in the boot, on the passenger side rear wheel well [RHD]. Remove the battery cover and then the layering that covers the area from the tail lights to the petrol tank. Then look up into the wheel well area and you'll see the fuse terminal.
For 'Engineering mode':
1. Press SERV button
2. SYSTEM
3. LANGUAGE
4. While in the Language menu press (in exact order) and hold for about 10s.:
PHONE (DOWN)+UPPERLEFT ARROW+AUDIO
Apparently this works on the Viano and R-Class(?).
Unknown stuff
1. Turn ignition on and hold the "Rest" button for 7 seconds. Menu pops up for Climate Control area. You can the toggle through values NR.01 to NR.99 by pushing up or down the left (driver's side) temperature button.
2. Turn ignition on and hold the "Rest" and "Recirculate" button for 7 seconds. Another menu appears with what looks like a flying airplane tilting down to the left. Toggling through the values takes you from NR.01 to NR.13.
Further COMAND fun can be seen here: http://www.mercupgrades.com/Mercedes+COMAND+Diagno...
You can also have the Navigation system route the direction arrows and instructions to the display on the instrument dash (the small LCD between the bigger dials) whilst the larger TV screen contains other info like TV or FM/AM.
645ci
Fun car this one. Loads of gadgets and unknowns. I pissed around with the Universal Remote Control (under the rear view mirror) for ages to see if I could get it to 'play', but no joy. It doesn't work on passing dogs or pensioners earpieces. I'd be sat there like Knightrider pressing the buttons above my head hoping something would happen. Kind of fun driving up roads with fancy garages and seeing what would open when you pressed it. However, The iDrive hidden diagnostics menu is fairly familiar:
1. Press down the dial for 10 seconds and then let go
2. Turn dial clock-wise 3 clicks
3. Turn dial anti-clockwise 3 clicks
4. Turn dial clock-wise 1 click
5. Turn dial anti-clockwise 1 click
6. Turn dial clock-wise 1 click
7. Press the dial down briefly and the menu appears
Launch Control
1. Press the traction control button once to activate DTC
2. Push the gearbox to the left to DS mode
3. Push the Sport button
4. Put your left foot on the Brake
5. Push the accelerator beyond kick down
6. The revs will rise to between 1500-2000 and hold there
7. Release brake
Reset the transmission to allow re-learning
1. Turn the key to pre-ignition, then press down the accelerator beyond kickdown and hold for 30 seconds.
E46 M3 SMG
Launch control must have been done to death by now, but as I remember:
1. Sport mode on
2. DSC off
3. SMG to Manual
4. SMG Shift Control to Mode 6 (only accessible with DSC off)
5. Hold SMG lever forward (in downshift position)
6. Apply throttle
7. Release SMG
My brother and I in our stupid youthful period were mucking about with this on Marylebone Road, when up roared - I kid you not - Ronnie O'Sullivan with at the time brand-new Audi R8. He was laughing his head off as he pulled up alongside, loud music and foxy brunette completely covering him and the steering wheel.
"Nice car lads!!! I used to have one!!!", and then he roared off, brunette cackling too. The M3 just jerked along as our moment had come. And gone.
VW Golf
For the Climatronic readouts...
1. Push ECON and hold
2. At the same time push the VENT with the 'UP' arrow
3. Let go
4. Turn the Driver's side adjustment until 19.0 shows in the window (this will be in KPH)
5. Turn the center dial 1 notch clockwise (to the right) and 19.1 will be in the Driver's side window, and MPH will be displayed in the Passenger side window
6. Repeat step 5 until 19.3 is displayed on the Driver's side, and RPM will show on the passenger side.
7. Push ECON to exit
Other settings show individual temperature from around the car, oil pressure and temperature etc etc...
E53 X5
For me the X5 is just toy writ large. The ultimate Tonka truck. It's such a capable tool with features galore.
With the split gate down [which can comfortably support a grown man standing on it], there's a 12V socket in the rear bay. Great for plugging in adaptors for lamps, small heaters, air compressors etc.
With Keyless Go, you can unlock the car by mobile phone: if you get someone to ring you, and then press the blipper on their end loud enough to be heard by the speaker on your phone, it will unlock the car.
Flick the high beams when the car is off, and the Xenons will stay on for 30 seconds to light your path when walking from the car.
The panoramic roof is big enough to be able to allow [a gentle squeeze though] someone to stand up in the back of the car. Good for filming
Hill Descent Control also works in reverse...that is fun if mucking around somewhere big like a farm
Escort3500 said:
On small hatchbacks favoured by elderly drivers there's a lever between the seats with numbers on it. Moving it to 5 from the default setting of 1 causes the 'clock thingy' on the dashboard to go from 6500 to 1500
On the same subject (but a bit OT) my mum complained that her new car had two speedometers, and the "metric" one flapped about when she changed gear.Edited by Escort3500 on Saturday 11th May 06:59
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