A few (simple) questions about my new M5

[hinckley]

OK, so I've been playing with the car for about a week now (but only drove it for three days - more snow here in the northeast) and I have a few questions that I'm sure others can help me with.

1. The old E60 nav system had little black triangles indicating road congestion. The new system seems to do the same thing with with all those greeen, orange and red stripes. Am I understanding that right? Any way to get the old black triangles?

2. In my old E60s, I could call someone using voice commands by simply saying "call John Smith cell." Now, it seems the easiest way to accomplish the same thing is to say "call John Smith" and then select one of the numbers listed (with all the affirmations in between). Is there something I've missed or has the new system taken a step backwards?

3. With my 6MT and the HUD in M-mode, the upper level shift lights do not work. Is that the way it's supposed to be on 6MTs?

I know these answers are out there with you guys. Thanks.

[AGS]

I'm going to answer your questions as best I can from memory:

1. I believe the colored lines indicate traffic rate of flow, just like the "traffic" feature on Google Maps. Like you, I have not noticed the icons you referenced which are on the E60 nav system.

2. Can't answer this one. I don't use the voice commands much at all.

3. The shift lights only illuminate when you get very close to redline. If you're still in the break-in period (and adhering to the break-in rules) you won't be able to see them yet.

Hope this is helpful.

[emmfive]

Those green yellow and red overlays are very accurate. When driving thru southern california in my other car I have to hold my phone and watch google maps traffic to pick routes. So having this info integrated into the nav is really nice.

I'm also interested to know if someone has found a way to do #2 using only one voice command.

[mdosu]

sorry, I can't help as I don't have CIC...but I do have a comment:

so with #1 and #2, you're saying there's some value with the CCC ?

[bradone1]

Originally Posted by AGS

I'm going to answer your questions as best I can from memory:

1. I believe the colored lines indicate traffic rate of flow, just like the "traffic" feature on Google Maps. Like you, I have not noticed the icons you referenced which are on the E60 nav system.

2. Can't answer this one. I don't use the voice commands much at all.

3. The shift lights only illuminate when you get very close to redline. If you're still in the break-in period (and adhering to the break-in rules) you won't be able to see them yet.

Hope this is helpful.

#3 - I've never seen shift lights in my 6MT. I see the colorful boxes but none of them illuminate, unless I am missing something

[AGS]

Originally Posted by bradone1

#3 - I've never seen shift lights in my 6MT. I see the colorful boxes but none of them illuminate, unless I am missing something

Here's a diagram from the owner's manual. Just to be sure we're talking about the same thing, I'm referring to the the yellow boxes over the tach indicator (item #2). Those lights illuminate from left to right as you get close to the redline. I've never looked closely (since I'm usually focused on the road when I'm at full throttle!), but I'm pretty sure they don't start lighting up until your within something like 500 rpm from redline - it's very quick.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by AGS

Here's a diagram from the owner's manual. Just to be sure we're talking about the same thing, I'm referring to the the yellow boxes over the tach indicator (item #2). Those lights illuminate from left to right as you get close to the redline. I've never looked closely (since I'm usually focused on the road when I'm at full throttle!), but I'm pretty sure they don't start lighting up until your within something like 500 rpm from redline - it's very quick.

Yes, we're talking about the same thing. Do you have a DCT or MT? I've brought my 6MT up to red line and not seen them light at all. It could be a DCT-only thing.

[AGS]

Originally Posted by hinckley

Yes, we're talking about the same thing. Do you have a DCT or MT? I've brought my 6MT up to red line and not seen them light at all. It could be a DCT-only thing.

I have the DCT.

[Timberwolf]

I'm new to the car as well, how does one get a warning when starting up the car regarding traffic on my work commute?

Thanks,

Greg

[Tylerstar]

Are we supposed to shift at the 7th shift light? (1st red light) I have been shifting at the 6th light. Have I been shifting early this whole time?!

[Stuartlogan77]

Not to solve the voice command issue but you can assign you 1-8 buttons on the stereo to be a speed dial button for your wife or office. You can also add this for navigation to home. Very handy to know.

Also you can press the telephone button and scroll trough previously dialed numbers.

The other way is to use your Siri and it will dial through the car.

[NISFAN]

1. You will get used to the multi coloured lines, much clearer IMO than the arrows.
   
2. You could make a new entry in your phone book for special numbers, like using Cell as a Surname, so when you say for example 'Jenny Cell' it goes to an entry with only one number. It still asks to confirm, but you can just press the call button to accept the highlighted number.
   
3. The HUD shift lights are not that easy to see in any case. They do work on DCT cars, never driven a manual, but can't believe they don't work on manuals too, it is just a rev triggered graphic.

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by Tylerstar

Are we supposed to shift at the 7th shift light? (1st red light) I have been shifting at the 6th light. Have I been shifting early this whole time?!

If you can manage to keep your foot flat and hit an exact light every change, you are a better man than I am

I'm happy to stretch the revs as close to ignition cut (rev limiter) as possible without actually hitting it. I often get it wrong shifting a little early, or bumping into the limiter which is annoying, as it seems to take an age before it brings the power back on.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by Stuartlogan77

Not to solve the voice command issue but you can assign you 1-8 buttons on the stereo to be a speed dial button for your wife or office. You can also add this for navigation to home. Very handy to know.

Also you can press the telephone button and scroll trough previously dialed numbers.

The other way is to use your Siri and it will dial through the car.

Yes, thank you. Those are good work-arounds, but work-arounds nevertheless!

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

1. The HUD shift lights are not that easy to see in any case. They do work on DCT cars, never driven a manual, but can't believe they don't work on manuals too, it is just a rev triggered graphic.

Can anyone with a manual confirm that the shift lights work? They do not seem to on my car.

[Tylerstar]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

If you can manage to keep your foot flat and hit an exact light every change, you are a better man than I am

I'm happy to stretch the revs as close to ignition cut (rev limiter) as possible without actually hitting it. I often get it wrong shifting a little early, or bumping into the limiter which is annoying, as it seems to take an age before it brings the power back on.

HAHAHAH, Ive practiced a lot. Surprising how much more boost you can get if you hit the shift exactly on the dot comparing to an early shift. D mode just doesen't feel the same.

[ONEOF40 FS M3]

I will only answer #3...

I have a 6MT and the shifts lights on the HUD work very well as they should but YOU MUST take the rpm to the limit...and they will light up...you just have to shift at the right time when they start to light up so you don't hit the rev limiter. They work just like they do in my E92 M3 w/ DCT.

Feel free to ask any other questions...

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by ONEOF40 FS M3

I will only answer #3...

I have a 6MT and the shifts lights on the HUD work very well as they should but YOU MUST take the rpm to the limit...and they will light up...you just have to shift at the right time when they start to light up so you don't hit the rev limiter. They work just like they do in my E92 M3 w/ DCT.

Feel free to ask any other questions...

Great. Thank you! This is the first real confirmation from someone with a MT.

[Stuartlogan77]

Yes. Just found that I've been shifting 1000 rpm shy. Completed break in period this week. MT have this feature.