parking release tool

[gmc15]

Does the E70 have an orange emergency release tool for the gearbox in the boot along with the towing eye and screwdriver? My 2012 does not have this orange tool and wondered if anyone has a similar age car would have a look in the boot and see if there should be one there. I have read on some forum that cars with the 8 speed auto box do not come with this tool, but on other forums it is mentioned as being present.

Thanks

[POC]

I have one in my car.  2008 4.8i.

[gmc15]

[quote="POC"]
I have one in my car.  2008 4.8i.
[/quote]

Does your car have the 8 speed box?

[POC]

No, 6 speed.  Iirc the 8 speed came in around 2011.

[ImaginativeTruth]

Not in my 12 plate 40d. Asked dealer about it when I picked it up and he said not included in UK spec.


You can buy separately I believe.

[gmc15]

[quote="ImaginativeTruth"]
Not in my 12 plate 40d. Asked dealer about it when I picked it up and he said not included in UK spec.


You can buy separately I believe.
[/quote]

Thanks, I will try and get one out of the dealer

[X5Sport]

2011 cars onwards don't have one any longer.  The gearbox release (which was it's primary use) cannot be done this way.  Look under the left front cup holder and there is no release port for 'P'. 

The change came in during MY2011.  It is now a screw/bolt.  It can only be released from underneath, and AFTER the engine/gearbox shields have been removed.

[gmc15]

[quote="X5Sport"]
2011 cars onwards don't have one any longer.  The gearbox release (which was it's primary use) cannot be done this way.  Look under the left front cup holder and there is no release port for 'P'. 

The change came in during MY2011.  It is now a screw/bolt.  It can only be released from underneath, and AFTER the engine/gearbox shields have been removed.
[/quote]

From what I can remember, when I removed the rubber in the front cup holder there was a plastic cover in there. I did not try to remove the cover, but just thought I needed the tool just in case. I don't have the car with me at the moment but will check when I can.

[Barry-C]

Hi, I have a 2014 F15 with an 8 speed auto, and I have read somewhere in this site that if you have an electrical failure and the car is in Park, then you are stuck, unmoveable until another battery arrives, assuming that it is not a wiring fault, or then you will need a craned recovery.  That's progress for you, water temperature gauges, engine oil dipsticks  spare wheels  etc,  all omitted I expect to save money at our (the users) expense and inconvenience

[X5Sport]

Correct!  Also applies to the later E70/71 without the transmission release and the same gearbox - unless you go under the car.

[Barry-C]

Hi there X5Sport, is it in any way feasible to consider to release the car from P on my 2014 F15?  I have a release tool from a previous vehicle if that helps, and I think that I may just get one side of the under tray down, at a  squeeze, but where does one go from there??

[X5Sport]

Assuming no change in the transmission between the E70 LCI (production after 90/2010) and the F15, the gearbox release mechanism is a large set screw/bolt on the (left I think) side of the box.  I believe the bolt is part of the selector servo mechanism?

E70/71 have a protective shield which must be removed first.  I've never seen a pic of the underside of the F15 but it's very likely to be the same.

The previous gen cars where the release key worked had a key slot (under a removable plastic cover below the left front cup holder) into which the tool went and was pushed down and turned 90° to disengage 'P'.  That has now gone.  My X6 just has a view of the top of the gearbox when I remove the cover.  All the tool does in mine is disengage the handbrake.

If you are without electrical power then as you also have to release the electric handbrake manually the car will roll without stopping!

From what I have read, recovery means a full lift rather than a winch on job.

If you have power then the procedure in this link to a thread on the forum may help.

I have also seen references to this procedure - and it is only for pushing it off the road.  'P' re-engages automatically after 15 mins - disastrous if being towed (not that you should be being towed in an AWD auto.

With ignition on (but no motor start):
Hold left button on the gear stick while doing  (LHD US cars -so may be right button for us?)
- put gear stick one step forwards and hold 2 seconds,
- then one step back again
- then one step forwards again
Then the car is in neutral for 15 minutes after which 'P' re-engages

Whoever designed this process really wasn't thinking it through....or the bean counters got in the way!

[Barry-C]

Hi X5Sport, Thanks for all that info, re. the last paragraph where park re-engages after 15 minutes, could this be prevented by disconnecting the battery, also, you mentioned emergency handbrake release, is there a way, as there's no mention in the handbook ??  Regards, Barry.

[X5Sport]

I think if power is taken off the park lock falls into place as it's held 'off' by power.

The handbrake release is (was) in the back left cubby.  There's a loop that you pull that disengages it.  It looks to be close to the lamp cluster and mounted in the floor in the cubby.

It was covered in the Owners Manual - P63 on my electronic copy - and you pull upwards until considerable resistance (their words) is felt and there is a click as the system disengages (or you just dislocated your shoulder).  It then needs to be reset by a Dealer.