Cold Weather Startup Sequences
Senior Members
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Bedford, MA
My Ride: 2004 530i 6-speed Titanium Silver/Black Interior
Premium Package
Sport Package
Aux input
30 GB video iPod
Cold Weather Package
Xenon
Red rear reflectors
Tint
Clear Bra
I drive off immediately... but take it easy for the first couple of minutes.
Members
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: 19067
My Ride: 2008 550i Space Gray and Black Dakota. Sports package with 19 style 172. First BMW and is AWESOME
Always wait until the engine drops from 1000 rpm's to around 750 (cold or warm outside) if its cold outside let the car warm up 10 to 20 mins (pulling the car out of the garage)
Originally Posted by subarashi' post='783946' date='Feb 3 2009, 08:25 AM
I've heard varying opinions on this so I'll put you guys to the polls...
On a typical cold frigid day, do you start your car and let the engine idle/warm up OR do you just drive off [which is what the manual reccommends].
Common sense dictates that lubrciation isn't the greatest so driving off may cause premature wear....don't know what the experts on this forum think!
On a typical cold frigid day, do you start your car and let the engine idle/warm up OR do you just drive off [which is what the manual reccommends].
Common sense dictates that lubrciation isn't the greatest so driving off may cause premature wear....don't know what the experts on this forum think!
Members
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Okotoks, Alberta, Canada
My Ride: 2006 550i
It's Black on Carbon Black, Aluminum, HUD, CWP, NAV, M-Sport Pkg
Originally Posted by Bteljuice' post='784359' date='Feb 3 2009, 03:52 PM
As Everyone else has stated. At first, the RPM needle starts at 1100RPM, then as soon as it goes down under the 1000RPM, around 900-800RPM (about 1-2 min max), i drive off.
One question, what are block heaters, not quite familiar with that term?
One question, what are block heaters, not quite familiar with that term?
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: USA
My Ride: 2005 545i E60 Orient Blau Metallic
Premium, NAV, Winter Package, Heads Up Display, Logic 7 Audio, AngeliBright Upgrade [White], M5 Body Kit, M Embroidered Seats
Originally Posted by dlight' post='786086' date='Feb 5 2009, 02:54 PM
Hi! Up here in the frozen north, we use a block heater to provide heat to the engine to warm it before starting. It is a 110VAC electrical heating element that fits into a frost plug hole in the engine block. It has an electrical cord on it to plug into an external power source; usually your household electrical system. This provides or much easier starting on very cold starts (-10deg Celcuis or colder). Nearly every car in colder climates is equipped with one of these, except those with BMW V8 engines it seems. For diesels they are a must.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Senior Members
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
My Ride: 2005 BMW 525D M-SPORT // Grey // SB attached
i read somewhere that the most wear and tear of your engine is in the first ten minutes, hence i take it reallyt slow and just wait for it to warm up
simple
simple
Members
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Okotoks, Alberta, Canada
My Ride: 2006 550i
It's Black on Carbon Black, Aluminum, HUD, CWP, NAV, M-Sport Pkg
Originally Posted by subarashi' post='787091' date='Feb 6 2009, 06:23 PM
Hey Dlight...thanks for the info -- can you share pix in terms of where this plug is and what the heaters look like? how do you start your car then? Plug in the heater first and wait? Or do you let her hibernate with the heater plugged in all the time?
My 550 (my first BMW) doesn't have one and I'm told it doesn't need one. We'll see...
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: USA
My Ride: 2005 545i E60 Orient Blau Metallic
Premium, NAV, Winter Package, Heads Up Display, Logic 7 Audio, AngeliBright Upgrade [White], M5 Body Kit, M Embroidered Seats
This months Roundel talked about this very issue in detail in one of the Tech Questions. The answer:
1. Start engine - wait 20-30 seconds.
2. Drive off normally.
No mention was made of over-revving or driving hard but I suppose the term "normal" is intuitive in that respect.... Oh-and E60s from 2005+ do not need block heaters as the heating element is designed to help the engine warm up faster [per Satch]..
1. Start engine - wait 20-30 seconds.
2. Drive off normally.
No mention was made of over-revving or driving hard but I suppose the term "normal" is intuitive in that respect.... Oh-and E60s from 2005+ do not need block heaters as the heating element is designed to help the engine warm up faster [per Satch]..
Contributors
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,790
Likes: 0
From: Helsinki, Finland
My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Move on at once.
But if some minus 20 C or belove, a few minutes idling does not hurt.
But do not floor it at once in any case, wait some 10 - 20 mins.
But if some minus 20 C or belove, a few minutes idling does not hurt.
But do not floor it at once in any case, wait some 10 - 20 mins.
Contributors
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 0
From: BROOKLYN I MISS IT. STATENISLAND NOW...
IF YOU look to the right of the cluster where the red line is theres a little bar that shots up when you start up, it shots up as high as 5,000 rpms. as it gets lower the car warms thats how i use to tell if shes ready to go....