New discoveries

[TDot]

I just found out today, going into year four of this car, that the arm rest slides forward. Unbelievable that I never knew about this. I've been keeping the cup holder cover to cover the computer screen when not in the car and now I find out I could have just slid the arm rest forward . Now I just have to clean under it because it looks crazy dirty...I don't know how since it's always been covered. I wonder what else is in this car I don't know about.

[svard75]

Haha. Always feels like a new car when you discover something new. I think that is the only thing that isn't obvious because of the closeness between the two latches it's easy to not notice. What's neat is you can slide the drivers side and passengers side independently.

[Six_Legs]

I KNEW IT!!
Just don't know how to do it...

When I first bought the car it looked like that would move. I messed with it but was never able to get it to do so. Gonna take another look...

[svard75]

Lift the lid up and you'll see smaller levers just above the larger one.

[TDot]

I don't know the 07 but mine are beside the larger ones.

[Ilya]

If you unlock the door with the fob but don't open it, it'll relock in a few seconds. At least mine does.

[svard75]

That's something you turn on/off in settings. Can't remember what it's called but it's part of the setting that won't allow you to lock the doors with the keys still inside.

[Six_Legs]

Lift the lid up and you'll see smaller levers just above the larger one.

Found em! Probably never would of if it weren't for this thread... Thanks boys!!

[svard75]

Since we're on the topic of new things I thought I would share a funny discovery. Today I decided to change the plugs and pcv v
So at the same ti.e I decided to take to intake off. I discovered that one of the spacers used in the skunk2 spacer kit was missing. Hmm where could that little bugger have gone?! Ended up in the last cylinder stuck with the valves. I pulled the bugger out and reused it lol. I'm lucky it didn't get worn down to the point of it falling right in. That entire intake was black with soot. I'm thinking the valves were never closing properly on that cylinder.

[veery]

Since we're on the topic of new things I thought I would share a funny discovery. Today I decided to change the plugs and pcv v
So at the same ti.e I decided to take to intake off. I discovered that one of the spacers used in the skunk2 spacer kit was missing. Hmm where could that little bugger have gone?! Ended up in the last cylinder stuck with the valves. I pulled the bugger out and reused it lol. I'm lucky it didn't get worn down to the point of it falling right in. That entire intake was black with soot. I'm thinking the valves were never closing properly on that cylinder.

It should run better now, no? You are really lucky it didn't get down inside.

[svard75]

It runs like new now. I replaced my plugs with NGK iridium and cleaned out my plenum plus a new pcv valve and that foreign object removed allowing all 6 cylinders to properly seal and combust fuel. Heck yeah its better haha. My existing plugs were done 5 years ago. I did bust one bolt over tightening it. I need a torque wrench.

Yeah but back to this threads topic nothing else new...

[Ilya]

Keep the tips coming. If we have enough 'hey, I just found this!' additions to this thread, I may sticky it.

/incentive lol

[szh]

I did bust one bolt over tightening it. I need a torque wrench.

Definitely safer!

Nothing worse than trying to remove a plug later that was over-tightened ... and having it snap off!

Been there, done that. And it is a pain to get the rest of the broken plug out of the engine then.

Z

[svard75]

I did bust one bolt over tightening it. I need a torque wrench.

Definitely safer!

Nothing worse than trying to remove a plug later that was over-tightened ... and having it snap off!

Been there, done that. And it is a pain to get the rest of the broken plug out of the engine then.

Z

I will invest in one. Luckily the bolt I busted as protruding out of the bottom so next time I take everything off I should be able to pull it out.

Plug Def wasn't over tightened. After I feel the crush washers tighten I give it half a turn.

I also noticed something interesting, we all know if there oil in the plug chamber our valve covers may be leaking, however on mine I have silver lined sleeves and the spark plug coil packs have a rubber boot at the end. Once that coil pack is secured even if there was a leak it shouldn't get in there. Just an interesting observation. Anyone take the valve covers off to see if those silver tubes are part of the valve cover or the heads?

[pedsemdoc]

How about this for a new discovery:

2006 M35/45 Owner's manual p4-14 and 4-15:
instead of using the settings button on the console to change the audio controls: treble, base, balance, fade...which you have to select with the main controller knob, then have to push again to actually change the setting

2006 M35/45 Owner's manual p4-37:
push the tuning knob (the RIGHT hand/passenger side) radio knob and then the audio settings pop up sequentially each time you push the knob, you can adjust the settings by turning the knob. Instead of the entire audio control page coming up on your display, the changes are at the bottom of the display.

[svard75]

That's a good one peds. It's funny how much you assume everyone knows these things. I tend to read and re-read the entire owners manual when I get into a new car.

[The00Dustin]

I read the entire manual, too. However, most cars have the audio settings rotate through a push button, and I don't know if I misread or forgot about the option to bring them all up on the screen. Interestingly enough, since I'm replying anyway, I accidentally found out that the center armrest halves slide forward the first time I test drove an M. I'm not sure how/why I managed to make it happen accidentally, but I guess I lucked out.

[Larz]

Since getting the 09 M in Sept, it hasn't been driven much at all and it came with a full tank. Now that I am cleared for driving by my physical therapist, I have been using to go to the office and back and it was finally down to about 1/4 tank so I filled it up this morning and WOAH!

I opened the fuel door and this thing flopped out! Is this a factory thing? or did the previous owner add this? What a brilliant idea! It keeps fuel from collecting inside the fuel door and droplets run off onto the ground instead of down the side of the car.
When that thing flopped out, my mouth opened and my jaw dropped and I reckon my tongue flopped out just like this as well !
.

.

[ColoJoe]

Larz, I don't think that piece of plastic is factory installed - my 09 M45X (which I bought new) doesn't have it. I wish it did - it's one of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas.

[Larz]

It's actually thick good quality rubber and you just roll it back up and close the door when you've finished fueling. Now that I know it's NOT a factory thing, I'm going on a mission to find out where to buy them. I want to give them out as stocking fillers at Chrimbo time for my mates. If I find out where it came from (there is probably a company name underneath it somewhere, I will post it in case anyone else wants to get one. It really IS a nice quality rubber tongue with spacers under it to make sure it points away from the car and drips onto the ground.

[The00Dustin]

TIA for posting once you figure it out.

[veery]

It's about color! I thought my M35x was Serengeti Desert Sand until I touched it up with some paint that color. Now I have learned it's Umbria Gray! C31. It's funny because it has some brown in it, looks more brown than gray, even at the Edmunds site it looks more brown than gray. Grown? Bray?

[The00Dustin]

Larz found the piece of plastic and posted about it here.

[jiggersplat]

It's about color! I thought my M35x was Serengeti Desert Sand until I touched it up with some paint that color. Now I have learned it's Umbria Gray! C31. It's funny because it has some brown in it, looks more brown than gray, even at the Edmunds site it looks more brown than gray. Grown? Bray?

the paint code is in on a sticker in your door jamb.

[veery]

OH yes, I know, But I didn't LOOK there until I ordered the wrong color! (Yes, I know...)
The thing is, this car ain't gray it's brown. There is another thread here about this color Umbria Gray and how it's a misnomer!

[szh]

TIA for posting once you figure it out.

Indeed! Would love to know too!

Z

[svard75]

Szh it's about 2 posts down by Dustin. Linky to Larz findings.

On another note not sure if everyone knows that the cars windows roll down by pressing and holding the door unlocked button on the remote after the doors are unlocked.

Process
Press the button twice to unlock all doors
Press and hold unlock button until windows are open to your preference
Release button

Nothing rolls them back up, unless you have an aftermarket alarm system. There are a few with window roll up modules.

[The00Dustin]

Szh it's about 2 posts down by Dustin. Linky to Larz findings.

On another note not sure if everyone knows that the cars windows roll down by pressing and holding the door unlocked button on the remote after the doors are unlocked.

Process
Press the button twice to unlock all doors
Press and hold unlock button until windows are open to your preference
Release button

Nothing rolls them back up, unless you have an aftermarket alarm system. There are a few with window roll up modules.

I don't know if it is different in different models/years, but my 06 M45 I don't have to push the lock button twice even though I do have it set to require two unlock presses to unlock all doors. I just push and hold so that only the driver door unlocks and still all windows roll down. Only thing is our remotes are weak, so even with a new battery, I have to be way too close to the car for it to work, so it's not incredibly convenient. I still use it because at least some heat escapes before I get in.

[svard75]

Ah see I wasn't 100%sure on that. I thought I had to unlock first. I'll give it a try next time I go out. Mine is also an 06.

The fsm for security has a diagram of remote range for features such as that.

[DeanM45]

You can also use your key (that is in the fob). Unlock and hold - windows down and sunroof open. Lock and hold - all windows up and sunroof closes.
You can also use the key to unlock the trunk - small keyhole above and to the right of the license plate. You can't see it unless you are looking up from the ground.