LCI steering wheel switches

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Fri Aug 01, 2025 12:56 pm

What do the inner switches do? I assume the top one is audio in some way?

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The originals on mine are selectable, but in reality, i never use them. The question is, when swapping steering wheels, would these switches be compatible to swap, or do i need to split and transfer them?

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X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Aug 01, 2025 1:03 pm

If you mean on the upper image then the upper button changes the entertainment source and the bottom is air recirculation mode. My manual doesn’t list the buttons on the lower piccie. Whether they will work I can’t say. They’ll do something, but maybe only what is already there rather than something different.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Fri Aug 01, 2025 1:08 pm

X5Sport wrote: Fri Aug 01, 2025 1:03 pm If you mean on the bottom image then the upper button changes the entertainment source and the bottom is air recirculation mode. My manual doesn’t list the buttons on the upper piccie. Whether they will work I can’t say. They’ll do something, but maybe only what is already there rather than something different.

Ive edited as i had the images the wrong way round. Could you clarify for me please You have an LCI model of course

On pre LCI the two symbols can be assigned to different options in the idrive, though what they are off hand i don't even know, but i could get off my butt and have a look i suppose

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Fri Aug 01, 2025 1:34 pm

It seems the LCI models have a simplified system. Pre LCI had assignment options in the menu.. I've set up the idrive options to match the LCI steering wheel buttons, which is all i need, if that

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X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Aug 01, 2025 1:49 pm

I can’t reassign any buttons. They are ‘fixed’ and as per my comment. The top picture is the one I’m referencing. The inner pair are Entertainment source (upper) and air recirc (lower). My X6 was amongst the first of the later CIC (rather than CCC) cars. The later ones have more buttons on the idrive controller. I never use those two either.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Fri Aug 01, 2025 3:01 pm

Oh so CIC was changed shortly after being introduced as well then. I know the paddle operation on My E71 is original, push pull on either side which i prefer, though very rarely use, to single operation up/down paddles. It doesn't apply to the E70 so it doesn't matter.

From recollection, downtime after battery negative disconnection is twenty minutes for safe airbag removal?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Aug 01, 2025 3:26 pm

CIC with Combox instead of TCU (telematics) was from October 2010. Paddle controls on mine are both moving in either direction rather than one up and the other down. I don’t think BMW changed that until the E71 became the F16 (but may be wrong) in 2013 or so. It never got the LED angel eyes either.

20 mins sounds fine, and to be really safe remove +ve as well and touch both battery leads together. Not essential, just depends upon how ‘safe’ is safe enough in your mind

Just had an oil change again on mine and had to get the Dealer to do the headlight beam change. Service rep thinks they have a special tool now as he agreed the levers are a cast iron

to swap. Didn’t charge me

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Fri Aug 01, 2025 8:07 pm

Point taken on touching the terminals together. As best I remember, the positive terminal block is pretty busy. I'm not inclined to disturb it tbh. Maybe I'll just give it half an hour after taking the negative off

Always appreciate your input. I've asked a lot of questions since acquiring the E70, unlike the E71, which has always been a dealership maintained car. I can barely justify that nowadays. I absolutely can't justify it on the E70, so getting stuck in is the only option which can actually be rewarding. I'll only ever be a tinkerer though, never a real spanner man unfortunately.

It will probably be obvious, i'm swapping the steering wheel for a better condition used item. This is with an item showing a label dated 01.11.2010, so obviously LCI era.

Is E71 headlight flipping not possible, despite what we are lead to believe?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Aug 02, 2025 9:30 am

The headlights are swappable for driving on the Continent. Dealer did it yesterday and didn’t charge me. The local techies have found a way to do it without needing Orangutan length arms and small hands. They have an ‘unofficial’ tool of some sort. I didn’t really want to put masks on the front of the lights as the adhesive may damage the anti-UV (prevents/reduces the plastic going misty) coating and it can’t be repaired.

I dread to think how costly new OEM light units might be!

According to them, the later cars from around 2013/4, especiallly with LED, have geolocation and it’s all automatic.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Sat Aug 02, 2025 1:20 pm

"Geolocation" is a new word to me. I dislike masks to, they block a lot of light output ime.

My replacement steering wheel is now fitted drama free. I only lost the clock and date display, which is easy to reinstate. The 'new' buttons now operate steering wheel functions as LCI cars are designed to, having pre programmed them via the idrive. I was pleasantly surprised the radio and seat memories were retained.

No images as i doubt anyone would want them

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