BMW X5 question

[baywatch]

I was cleaning my wife's car today 2005 X5 and noticed there is a knob on the side of the wheel under the tilt knob. It is small and you can either turn it or push it. If you turn it one way it a small light turns red and if you turn the other it turns green. It makes a chirping sound like a radar detector when turning it. I can't find anything in the manual about it and was curious what the heck it is.

Thanks,

Josh

 

[JupiterSunsation]

I was cleaning my wife's car today 2005 X5 and noticed there is a knob on the side of the wheel under the tilt knob. It is small and you can either turn it or push it. If you turn it one way it a small light turns red and if you turn the other it turns green. It makes a chirping sound like a radar detector when turning it. I can't find anything in the manual about it and was curious what the heck it is.

Thanks,

Josh

Did you buy the car new? If not maybe the first owner had built in radar?

 

[baywatch]

We are the second owner. Attached are a couple pics. it looks like it came with what ever it is from the factory. I think it is funny that we have had this vehicle for a couple years and I never even noticed it.

 

[VtSteve]

Only thing I can think of is the power tilt/telescoping feature.

 

[stainless]

i'd say some type of aftermarket add on doesnt look factory to me

 

[Bill N]

That is the switch for a K 40 radar detector.

 

[stainless]

That is the switch for a K 40 radar detector.

That's what i was thinking.:driving:

 

[MattBMiller]

Are there sensors in the front/rear bumpers?

 

[Playn]

That is the switch for a K 40 radar detector.

That is the only thing that makes sense with the red/green. Red = City, green = hwy

 

[lucky strike]

That is the switch for a K 40 radar detector.

Yep

 

[baywatch]

Hey guys,

Thanks so much. I checked out the K40 website and that apears to be what it is. It even has a built in light in the top of guage cluster that flashes red when it goes off. Thanks for telling me the difference between the Orange/reddish light and the green light. That was gonna be my next question.