Battery dying too quickly?
10-04-2010, 10:38 AM
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The battery is dying in 15-20 minutes in my E60 when the engine is not running.
Parking lights on, interior lights on, playing with iDrive, playing music, watching TV. I don't even have to turn on xenons and the battery low indicator pops up in about 20 minutes. When I push the ignition button, the engine is starting more slowly (not enough battery power) and my Active Steering doesn't work for about 2 minutes until the battery is charged.
Is this normal? The battery is only 2 years old.
It's notable that I have the DIRAC BMW individual audio system, which could be pretty power hungry (820+ watts at peak level).
However, my E46 lasts so much longer even while xenons are turned on, still with the original 7 years old battery.
Any idea?
Parking lights on, interior lights on, playing with iDrive, playing music, watching TV. I don't even have to turn on xenons and the battery low indicator pops up in about 20 minutes. When I push the ignition button, the engine is starting more slowly (not enough battery power) and my Active Steering doesn't work for about 2 minutes until the battery is charged.
Is this normal? The battery is only 2 years old.
It's notable that I have the DIRAC BMW individual audio system, which could be pretty power hungry (820+ watts at peak level).
However, my E46 lasts so much longer even while xenons are turned on, still with the original 7 years old battery.
Any idea?
10-04-2010, 10:45 AM
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Actually there is none. I work from home and I drive occasionally (various short distances, rarely more than 20 miles). Does it matter? How much time does it take to fully charge the battery when driving?
10-04-2010, 10:55 AM
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Unfortunately with these cars it does matter. I ran into the same problem when my commute was about 10 miles. Apparently, the battery does not have enough time to recharge with all of these short commutes. I have always had short commutes (until now) and I have never run into this problem except with my 535. Your dealership will most likely advice you to buy a trickle charger.
10-04-2010, 11:13 AM
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Thanks dude. So that means it's not a faulty battery, just that the electrical systems are very power hungry.
Well, I guess I'll just stop playing with the car too much when the ignition is turned off, especially when waiting for the passenger to return, etc. Not really feeling like I'd buy a trickle charger (sounds like a very lame and inconvenient solution to me).
Well, I guess I'll just stop playing with the car too much when the ignition is turned off, especially when waiting for the passenger to return, etc. Not really feeling like I'd buy a trickle charger (sounds like a very lame and inconvenient solution to me).
10-04-2010, 11:20 AM
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No problem. Do not leave your phone, iPod, etc plugged in when the car is not running. Those things can drain the battery. When they told me to use a trickle charger, my reply was I would be happy to if they gave me one. Needless to say, I never used a charger.
Another solution.... Go for a nice, long, spirited drive from time to time to juice her up.
Another solution.... Go for a nice, long, spirited drive from time to time to juice her up.
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