[shag]

Hi there,

We've been having -30C & -40C temperatures here, which are not good for our cars... A few check control messages started appearing on my car pertaining to the car's low battery. It started with a CEL, then a day later "Charge Battery", then a day later "Charge Battery" and an iDrive message stating "Battery discharging when stopped - electrical devices were switched off temporarily". Anyone else experience this?

The car starts fine, but comfort access did not work at one time yesterday and dome lights would not light up when opening the car's doors. SA told me it was probably normal due to the very low temps... Should I be worried?

[discoboy1]

Originally Posted by shag

Hi there,

We've been having -30C & -40C temperatures here, which are not good for our cars... A few check control messages started appearing on my car pertaining to the car's low battery. It started with a CEL, then a day later "Charge Battery", then a day later "Charge Battery" and an iDrive message stating "Battery discharging when stopped - electrical devices were switched off temporarily". Anyone else experience this?

The car starts fine, but comfort access did not work at one time yesterday and dome lights would not light up when opening the car's doors. SA told me it was probably normal due to the very low temps... Should I be worried?

You should connect a battery tender overnight when we get these extreme temps

[samej]

I've gotten them - ignored them - they cleared up after a few days. Car seems to throw them when it drops below -20 or it's been sitting outdoors for 5-6 days in Ottawa winter temps (-15C actual and below).

[CHCCubs]

No battery issues here, the only issue I've had have been false messages telling me my washer fluid is low.

[bobblehead]

I got that message this morning. I started the car without any issue and drove for about 10 minutes and made a pit stop and when restarted, the message appeared and I simply switched off the radio and drive for another 30 minutes around to let the battery gets charged up and it was fine.

[canbmw]

Yeah I got the same message. I don't drive a lot and the heater conked out in my garage. That combined with cold temps and using my heated seats/steering wheel a lot drained the battery. An overnight charge once in a while is apparently in order and got rid of my low battery message.

Apparently these new vehicles have a lot of 'parasitic' electrical losses that drain your battery even if not in use. I read that keeping it locked (which I do not do overnight) can help to reduce these losses. You will find a number of links on the issue if you search around.

[joz]

Got a message today while waiting to pickup the wife. Car was turned off and I was on the phone. After about 15 minutes I got the battery message and started the car up. Hasn't shown up since that one time.

[M2Cmtl]

i just stared the car after it sat a few days in the cold and i only got the "pre heating" message for 2-3 seconds.

[HouseMusicRules]

So many issues... obviously not an isolated occurrence with a defective battery.

I'm thinking that BMW in trying to achieve the best possible fuel economy figures was very (too?) aggressive in unloading the alternator from the engine when not charging the battery. I can understand this if temps warrant, but under -10C the engine software should prioritize keeping the battery 100% charged not matter fuel consumption. This is a safety issue and just makes common sense. I don't think people would care if the car burned 0.1 or 0.2 l/100km more if it meant to have a warm cabin/comfort access/seat heaters/etc. available when driving. Dumb BMW.

[shag]

Welp, it did clear up after a few days. Dealer kept the car for a day because they wanted to make sure the car was brought up to the latest I-level (software version) and that the battery was fully charged by putting it on their charger overnight.

I'm aware I wasn't helping the situation because everytime I was driving my car in that period, I was using both seat warmers at 3 and the steering wheel heater as well, and driving short distances too - not my normal driving habits, mind you.

CELs were apparently unrelated to the battery issues (I think) as the 1st one was for the MAF & the 2nd one was for the DEF tank sensor.

[nr1416]

I've been getting the same message when the temps drop below -20 but they eventually go away during my drive to work.

[JimCash]

Thisi is actually a year round issue - just much more obvious in cold weather.

Unless you are driving your car for at least 1/2 hour 3-4 times a week then you will gradually be depleating the battery. The good news is that the system will give you some warnings becasue it is telling you that it is shutting down some things to save power.

All vehicles (especially latest BMWs with the additional electric accessors, and the electric power steering) are heavy power users - even when sitting in your garage they are using some power.

So it is almost essential to keep a close eye on your battery - and to use a charger frequently (ie every few days if you are only taking short drives.

Putting on a charger that often can be a bit of a challange depenind on how you are able to locate a charger next to your car.

For those interrested - BMW Canada has just approved a dealer installed charger that is mounted permanently in the engine compartment with easy access connector that is located in the front lower grill area. It can hardly be seen and you simply remove the cover and push in the electrical cord that is then plugged into an AC outlet.

This is an intelligent automatic charger made by Defa.

See some info at http://www.defa.com/en/automotive/wa...argerkit_1204/

Apparently the dealerships in the Prarie Provices are installing a lot of these.
I think it is something that BMW should be offering as a factory option - if not even as standard for some countires.

And if they would provide and even easier place to plug in (under a flap like the electric cars) then this would be a great assist to motorists who are not daily long range drivers.

Cheers
Jim Cash - London Ont.