[KeenTraveller]

I haven’t come across this on the forum anywhere, so I thought I’d post this to make others aware...
When you install a tow bar on the new x5 (G05) vehicle, it disables the ‘touchless’ boot open function. Wish I had been told that when I ordered the car. May have reconsidered putting a tow bar on the vehicle!

[LexxM3]

It has actually been discussed quite extensively on the forum, but being pissed about it is still justified. So Australia gets the "female receiver" version tow package then, not the European cavalier "ball on a stick" version? More info here: https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=24738131

[HODLM]

Considering the touchless rear gate entry works 1 in every 10 times I'd say you're not missing much. Unless I'm a moron (very possible), I rarely ever get the gate to open by waving my foot underneath.

[dan321]

I've found the touchless rear gate works pretty consistently, it rarely doesn't open. When I first started using it waved my foot from side to side and that didn't work so well. Now that I just, sort of, kick the air under the car it works just about every time.

[KeenTraveller]

Thanks for the links...

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by HODLM

Considering the touchless rear gate entry works 1 in every 10 times I'd say you're not missing much. Unless I'm a moron (very possible), I rarely ever get the gate to open by waving my foot underneath.

+1
My experience too.
It makes me look like a fool when it refuses to open - so I rarely used it in my previous BMWs.

For me, the factory tow hitch is much more useful - it also has trailer stability control. This feature alone is worth getting the factory tow hitch instead of aftermarket ones.

[perikifi]

From the owner's manual:

Performing the foot movement
1. Stand in the middle behind the vehicle at approx. one arm's length away from the rear of the vehicle.
2. Wave a foot under the vehicle in the direction of travel and immediately pull it back. With this movement, the leg must pass through the ranges of both sensors.

[HODLM]

Originally Posted by perikifi

From the owner's manual:

Performing the foot movement
1. Stand in the middle behind the vehicle at approx. one arm's length away from the rear of the vehicle.
2. Wave a foot under the vehicle in the direction of travel and immediately pull it back. With this movement, the leg must pass through the ranges of both sensors.

I never bothered to look. Shame on me. The whole time I was waving my foot erratically instead of a simple "front kick" forward / backward motion. Works like a charm! Thank you!

[perikifi]

Originally Posted by HODLM

I never bothered to look. Shame on me. The whole time I was waving my foot erratically instead of a simple "front kick" forward / backward motion. Works like a charm! Thank you!

Glad to help! I don't have my car (45e) for another half a year so all I can do is read the f* manual

[JC49]

Just got my G05 45e and it has the factory fitted tow bar, I’ve read previous posts stating the the touchless boot entry does not work if the factory fitted tow bar is present. Glad to find out that mine works extremely well.

[evodz]

Originally Posted by HODLM

Considering the touchless rear gate entry works 1 in every 10 times I'd say you're not missing much. Unless I'm a moron (very possible), I rarely ever get the gate to open by waving my foot underneath.

Mine works 15 out of 10 times, I'm always accidentally activating it when I'm loading stuff

[hdahman]

Originally Posted by HODLM

Considering the touchless rear gate entry works 1 in every 10 times I'd say you're not missing much. Unless I'm a moron (very possible), I rarely ever get the gate to open by waving my foot underneath.

stand and kick it from the side, works every time

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by HODLM

Considering the touchless rear gate entry works 1 in every 10 times I'd say you're not missing much. Unless I'm a moron (very possible), I rarely ever get the gate to open by waving my foot underneath.

square up your foot under the BMW roundel (the logo in the middle of the trunk), and stand less than one foot away from the back. you can either kick under the sensor or sweep your foot. I use this pretty much every day and it rarely fails to work.

[HODLM]

Originally Posted by hdahman

stand and kick it from the side, works every time

Thanks! Someone else pointed out that you have to stand in the middle of the tailgate and do a Karate Kid style Crain Kick under the rear bumper which seems to do the trick!

[CheesyPeas]

Originally Posted by JC49

Just got my G05 45e and it has the factory fitted tow bar, I’ve read previous posts stating the the touchless boot entry does not work if the factory fitted tow bar is present. Glad to find out that mine works extremely well.

Yep, mine too. Wonder if it’s a RHD thing?….. JC49 Congrats on the car by the way. Very pleased with mine.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by JC49

Just got my G05 45e and it has the factory fitted tow bar, I’ve read previous posts stating the the touchless boot entry does not work if the factory fitted tow bar is present. Glad to find out that mine works extremely well.

There are three different tow bar options, available only in certain markets. The only one that retains the kick to open is the powered, retractable gooseneck ball version, I think.

[James_G0540i]

Originally Posted by KeenTraveller

I haven’t come across this on the forum anywhere, so I thought I’d post this to make others aware...
When you install a tow bar on the new x5 (G05) vehicle, it disables the ‘touchless’ boot open function. Wish I had been told that when I ordered the car. May have reconsidered putting a tow bar on the vehicle!

Here in Australia, if you install a towbar after taking delivery of your G05, you lose the hands-free boot opening. I've had the BMW OEM towbar installed by my local dealer, and yep you lose that function. Dont stress, its a gimmick feature anyway, and as some had alluded to it never works consistently properly anyway.

The only other advice I can give you is get a BMW dealer to install your towbar. In addition to the physical install,the car needs some extensive coding to integrate the towbar into the car's advanced electronics & safety systems, and unless you really know what you're doing - I wouldn't try it, or let a 3rd party towbar installer do it.

[JCaliX6]

Originally Posted by KeenTraveller

I haven’t come across this on the forum anywhere, so I thought I’d post this to make others aware...
When you install a tow bar on the new x5 (G05) vehicle, it disables the ‘touchless’ boot open function. Wish I had been told that when I ordered the car. May have reconsidered putting a tow bar on the vehicle!

Yeah pretty well discussed on forums