Is a parked E60 easier on the battery when it's locked?
05-27-2010, 06:21 AM
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Fact check.... my BMW dealer tells me that when parked... a locked E60 is easier on the battery than unlocked... that electronic systems will continually "wake up" on an unlocked car.
True or false?
True or false?
05-27-2010, 06:29 AM
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really no idea, but it seems logical that a locked car gives a signal to the car onboard comp that since it is locked, systems like navi, aicon and such can go into some standby mode to save power...
05-27-2010, 06:34 AM
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not really. it goes to sleep after 16 minutes regardless. i leave mine unlocked in my garage and it doesn't wake up unless I do something (open a door, trunk, hit the unlock button on the remote, etc.)
note that I don't have comfort access, that might be a different story.
note that I don't have comfort access, that might be a different story.
05-27-2010, 06:42 AM
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I NEVER lock my car when its at my house and I've left it in my garage for over 2 weeks without starting it with no battery issues whatsoever. I once street parked it and left it locked for several days while travelling abroad - when I finally started the car a got a low battery warning. If nothing else, the car alarm operates when the car is off/locked.
05-27-2010, 07:03 AM
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I think locked car = activation of alarm system brain and sensors (tilt sensor, shock sensor) which ideally draw some power from the battery.
05-27-2010, 07:10 AM
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Hmmm 2 yes and 3 no... (yes counting the dealer). Until now I believed that the alarms system (enabled when locked) was going to drain the battery more that when not locked/not enabled.
Since I frequently go several days without driving it, I'll have to go the battery tender route. Thanks so far!
Since I frequently go several days without driving it, I'll have to go the battery tender route. Thanks so far!
05-27-2010, 04:28 PM
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not really. it goes to sleep after 16 minutes regardless. i leave mine unlocked in my garage and it doesn't wake up unless I do something (open a door, trunk, hit the unlock button on the remote, etc.)
note that I don't have comfort access, that might be a different story.
note that I don't have comfort access, that might be a different story.
05-28-2010, 05:28 AM
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Hmmm 2 yes and 3 no... (yes counting the dealer). Until now I believed that the alarms system (enabled when locked) was going to drain the battery more that when not locked/not enabled.
Since I frequently go several days without driving it, I'll have to go the battery tender route. Thanks so far!
Since I frequently go several days without driving it, I'll have to go the battery tender route. Thanks so far!
If you need a battery tender after "several days" of sitting, then something else is wrong with the car (like a weak battery or a faulty module that is preventing the car from staying in sleep mode...)
05-28-2010, 12:03 PM
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Not sure it makes much difference from a power drain perspetive, the power of the alarm system (when locked) is probably offset by the 'stand by' power (when unlocked). It would be easy enough to check by putting a meter on the battery under both scenarios.
Either way though, if the battery is getting drained after 1-2 weeks of non-use in the driveway, there is likely another problem (bad battery or parasitic drain).
Locking the doors does have another benefit however of allowing the computer systems in the car to shut down (reboot). Sort of like the difference between a 'restart' verus a complete 'shut down' on your PC.
Either way though, if the battery is getting drained after 1-2 weeks of non-use in the driveway, there is likely another problem (bad battery or parasitic drain).
Locking the doors does have another benefit however of allowing the computer systems in the car to shut down (reboot). Sort of like the difference between a 'restart' verus a complete 'shut down' on your PC.