F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > N47 and N57 Turbodiesel Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > Misinformation from BMW as to Proper Care of your engine????
Studio RSR
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-02-2014, 04:34 PM   #1
ADM
Private First Class
20
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 2014 328d xdr Msprt
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (0)

Question Misinformation from BMW as to Proper Care of your engine????

Is it me, or doesn't this fly in the face as being against EVERYTHING that is usually recommended regarding appropriate techniques for proper vehicle care? I have always been under the impression that you are NOT supposed to drive off immediately with a cold engine, in that you are supposed to wait for a short time to have the proper lubrication take place within the cold engine.

Am I misunderstanding something in what BMW is recommending?

Below is the quote from the BMW manual page 170.

"Drive away without delay
Do not wait for the engine to warm-up while
the vehicle remains stationary. Start driving
right away, but at moderate engine speeds.
This is the fastest way for the cold engine to
reach its operating temperature."

Please provide some comments.
Thanks,
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2014, 06:27 PM   #2
floydarogers
Curmudgeon and Pedant
floydarogers's Avatar
United_States
690
Rep
3,489
Posts

Drives: 2010 335d, 2014 328d
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Bellevue, WA

iTrader: (0)

This has been BMW's recommendation for over 10 years.
It's been the recommendation of virtually all automakers for over 10 years.
It's been Consumer Reports' recommendation for over 10 years.

Idling doesn't warm up anything but the engine; and diesel engines take forever to warm up. Idling increases emissions, especially of HC and CO, since a cold engine has to run rich. It wastes fuel.

The shift to multi-weight, 0/5W-30/40 oils gets the oil through the engine very quickly; unlike the older single-weight oils. If you let the engine warm up, you still have to drive "moderately" to warm up the transmission and other drivetrain components; why not do both at the same time?

This is in the 2001 3-series manual, p.63:
"Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin
driving immediately at a moderate
engine speed."

Last edited by floydarogers; 05-02-2014 at 06:33 PM.. Reason: add manual ref
Appreciate 1
      05-03-2014, 07:33 PM   #3
Sam28
New Member
3
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: 328i 2013
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (0)

Basically the requirement of synthetic oil take care of any warm up time previously needed. Especially on very cold mornings.
Appreciate 0
      05-03-2014, 09:26 PM   #4
ADM
Private First Class
20
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 2014 328d xdr Msprt
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (0)

Ok, Thanks.

I guess you can teach an old dog a new trick.

Thanks for the feedback.
Somehow, I didn't realize that things have changed.
Appreciate 0
      05-04-2014, 01:02 AM   #5
Sam28
New Member
3
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: 328i 2013
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (0)

If your car asks for a quart of oil, which is not unusual for new engines, make sure it is synthetic and the correct viscosity. Can cost up to $9 a quart for the good stuff.
Appreciate 0
      05-04-2014, 05:10 AM   #6
oceanview
Captain
oceanview's Avatar
Switzerland
207
Rep
600
Posts

Drives: 335i F31 RWD Autom.
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Switzerland

iTrader: (0)

Tow different things:
- When the "red" oil pressure lamp is off, your engine is fine. Some older engines used to take a few seconds after starting the engine until they had oil pressure. (Especially when the oil was hot and thinner, it could take a few sec.)
- Drive off after start, but don't RPM the engine until it has reached normal temp. (Still the same recommendation as always)
Appreciate 0
      05-04-2014, 08:43 AM   #7
ADM
Private First Class
20
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 2014 328d xdr Msprt
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by oceanview View Post
Tow different things:
- When the "red" oil pressure lamp is off, your engine is fine. Some older engines used to take a few seconds after starting the engine until they had oil pressure. (Especially when the oil was hot and thinner, it could take a few sec.)
- Drive off after start, but don't RPM the engine until it has reached normal temp. (Still the same recommendation as always)
This is more in line with what I was taught to do (in another life-time)..
The time before driving (unless it was <32 F/0C) was closer to 30 sec-->& definitely under a minute. Then it was not aggressive (pushing the pedal to the metal) until the temp gauge was moving towards normal.

I do understand the impact of synthetic oil making it acceptable to drive earlier, so it puts it in a slightly different perspective.

However, the"RED" oil pressure lamp is only lit when the engine turns over for the initial start. Hopefully, it will never go red while driving~
Appreciate 0
      05-04-2014, 10:20 AM   #8
Sam28
New Member
3
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: 328i 2013
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (0)

Synthetic oil is void of organic lipids, like found in lotions. Rather polymer is added to the mix of chemicals or petroleum resulting in more predictability and control of the desired product. For example it has a higher viscosity index.

The engine management system protects the car in various ways against driving styles that would otherwise cause damage to the car. At both the engine level and driver controls. For instance 4th gear to 1st gear will not happen outside the engine envelope. I hope this helps.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:24 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST