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Queen of silly question

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
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ITBarbie
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Queen of silly question

Post by ITBarbie » Fri Dec 03, 2010 8:47 pm

Hi

Well as you saw from my rubbish in the snow thread my car had to be abandoned due to the snow as I was sliding all over the place.

I've got it back this afternoon after an hour of digging it out with a spade. I did have a worrying moment when I opened the door and it wouldn't shut again as I thought I had broken the door carrier with the ice but now it's warmed up it's fine.

Anyway I read that if the tyres have less pressure you get more grip. My 19's normally are pumped with 32 so I took them down to 25 and it's a whole heap better. I just can't believe it.

Ok for the silly questions. First is it ok to leave it like this in slush/snow for now and second why has the tyre pressure warning light not come on now I've let quite a bit of air out?

Also just wanted to say thanks to Condor for all her help with my winter tyre queries

Penny

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Re: Queen of silly question

Post by pvr » Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:16 pm

TP monitor works on differential, and as all tyres were deflated the differential is the same.

The lower pressure will wear the tyres out more and use more fuel.
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Queen of silly question

Post by ITBarbie » Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:23 pm

Thanks PVR that's puts my mind at rest :-)


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Re: Queen of silly question

Post by X5Sport » Fri Dec 03, 2010 10:48 pm

You should be fine leaving the pressures down, just don't forget to re-inflate them as soon as the situation improves. Under-inflated tyres can also overheat.

For some reason, in the US they have a dual-pressure system which uses the ABS sensors to check for differentials in the turning speed of each wheel and also a radio tyre pressure monitor in each wheel. We just have the differential rolling speed sensor system. You probably won't have to go far before the light does come on once the ABS works out that all the wheels are behaving differently to the last setting, but you may have confused the poor little thing.. :?
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Re: Queen of silly question

Post by CondorX5 » Fri Dec 03, 2010 11:42 pm

Thank heavens its home now, Penny :D thats a relief.
Re tyres and needing to change pressures: I keep a Ring Automotive Compressor RAC-900 unit in the car which is the only decent portable unit I've found that pumps up big 4x4 tyres quickly and easily. ....its a hangover from when I used to drive "real" 4X4s and needed to deflate tyres to drop into river beds and drive on soft sand :lol: :lol: but its also reassuring to know I can re-inflate my tyres when I need to - so often have stopped at service areas and the air pump has been knackered.....

As an aside, I ventured out in grim, icy conditions today and the X was great - especially the aux heating!! Took ages to defrost the car even with the aux heater as it was -10 on my driveway today and all the doors were iced shut. A bit of warm water drizzled along the door seams did the trick. Trip to mail sorting office to collect three days post as Royal Mail refuse to deliver to us even though Parcelforce and couriers are managing...No slipping and sliding around and Vredies were faultless on our steep, icy, snowy coooooooold driveway.

Linky to compressor:
http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... DYQ8wIwAw#

My Rangie that I'm selling at the moment, has a small Thomas Compressor unit in the engine bay with an isolating switch - great for pumping up tyres, beach balls, kids toys etc - I used to use the same unit as I described above when it was fitted to my Nissan Patrol (the 300 000 miler that only needed a clutch plate ever)and recovered it from the Patrol when I bought the Rangie.

At least you're able to :driving: the X again, Penny.........
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Queen of silly question

Post by ITBarbie » Sat Dec 04, 2010 8:25 am

Hi Condor

I've got a cheap Halfords air compressor but have to say it's been fantastic. I use it all the time and what with amount of footballs we have at home it's always on the go. You just can't rely on petrol stations for air as you're right they're normally broken :-)


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Re: Queen of silly question

Post by Pradaman » Mon Dec 06, 2010 4:27 pm

My x doors are the same in the cold and won't shut. Real pain in the neck!!

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Re: Queen of silly question

Post by Lee4.8is » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:30 pm

I had trouble also with my doors this morning,had to get in the back & climb over into drivers seat.

Then opened drivers door but couldnt shut it...then managed to shut it but then it wouldnt open from outside or inside!

but when it warmed up they were fine but thought i had broken them.

I bought a bmw hoping for reasonable reliability as have a tvr cerbera which has been dreadful!!

So nearly dragged that out the garage & left the x on the drive!!

I have read loads saying the x is not the best in terms of reliability so hope it doesnt live up to this trait!

Sorry for rambling.
Current...E90 330i M Spt Blue/Black  2006
              640d M Spt Blue/White 2012

Previous...
Audi TTS Black 2012
E53 X5 4.8iS  Blue 2004
               E92 M3 White 2009
               E85 Z4 MR 2006
               E61 520d  2009
               E90 330d  2006
               TVR Cerbera 4.5 1998

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Queen of silly question

Post by ITBarbie » Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:37 pm

Yes Lee same here opened but wouldn't shut. Was worried I broke the door latch. But when thawed it was as good as gold!!! Still waiting for the snow autosocks I ordered but expect them to arrive when snow gone :(


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MODS
Intravee with KCA, Xennons, Folding Mirrors (enabled with Intravee), Sport Wheels 19's, DVD Headrests, updated SAT NAV, Voice Recognititon with TV in Motion enabled with Resler a

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Re: Queen of silly question

Post by Lee4.8is » Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:43 pm

Hi Penny,

hope your autosocks turn up soon,i think they will do you proud,after watching the vids on them they look really good.

I was pleased that my door handles came back to life,was worried at one stage..roll on summer!

Lee.
Current...E90 330i M Spt Blue/Black  2006
              640d M Spt Blue/White 2012

Previous...
Audi TTS Black 2012
E53 X5 4.8iS  Blue 2004
               E92 M3 White 2009
               E85 Z4 MR 2006
               E61 520d  2009
               E90 330d  2006
               TVR Cerbera 4.5 1998

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