[Jon D]

Originally Posted by chmura

I have a new us spec 2011 BMW M3 that has auto/stop feature and it is set to default off whenever I start the car. I never actually used the feature, but I am glad its off by default as I am never going to use it.

You might be able to code it to be off with a bmw scan tool.

Was it set it to default off by the dealer or a third party and is the amber light on the start/stop button constantly illuminated?

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by NYCE90DRIVER

Agreed... but those of us who despise this "feature" should have a voice. I have been doing some internet research and have not found ONE owner yet who is in favor of it. BMW NEEDS to know this.

But we do have a voice right? We go buy a different car.....
I'm not being flippant here. The manufacturer is in business to make money. They do that by providing and marketting products to the majority of their customer base. If the bulk of the customer base is turned off by features that governments are seeking to impose then I guarantee that the manufacturer will fight those impositions tooth and nail.

However in this instance I think you'll find the majority of the customers want this feature. Perhaps not in North America yet, but in Europe where we have been struggling with the highest worldwide fuel prices for many, many years I can tell you that fuel economy is a major factor when buying. It was absolutely the deciding factor for me when choosing my 5-series last December.


My 520d costs almost £100 to fill up (US$160) and I do 30,000 miles a year.

[Shake n Bake]

Originally Posted by NYCE90DRIVER

I assumed that every self-respecting enthusiast would agree too...but
judging from some of the argumentative, contrary responses, perhaps not.

And there is the problem. The enthusiasts make up the minority of the consumers.

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Was it set it to default off by the dealer or a third party and is the amber light on the start/stop button constantly illuminated?

On 2011 M3, the Auto Start/Stop feature is:

1) Set at the factory to allow the driver to select it On or Off. Once Off is selected, it remains off permanently. The only way to re-activate the feature is if the driver selects On.

2) When set to Off, an amber light (on or near the button, I forget which) is always visible. The amber light, however, is hardly noticeable as it's located in an inconspicuous position.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by fuddman

On 2011 M3, the Auto Start/Stop feature is:

1) Set at the factory to allow the driver to select it On or Off. Once Off is selected, it remains off permanently. The only way to re-activate the feature is if the driver selects On.

2) When set to Off, an amber light (on or near the button, I forget which) is always visible. The amber light, however, is hardly noticeable as it's located in an inconspicuous position.

Thanks for the info.
As a separate issue and on the assumption that, by virtue of your location, you're unfamiliar with Scottish vernacular, your username would be a source of great amusement in these parts

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Thanks for the info.
As a separate issue and on the assumption that, by virtue of your location, you're unfamiliar with Scottish vernacular, your username would be a source of great amusement in these parts

Yes, I see what you mean. Let's keep it a secret, shall we?

[gsmith999]

Originally Posted by NYCE90DRIVER

... just curious...

Has anyone tried taking their 2012 F10 into a dealer to see if this could be coded to default off? I will probably ask when I go in for first service, but that isn't for a while...

[NYF32DRIVER]

Originally Posted by gsmith999

Has anyone tried taking their 2012 F10 into a dealer to see if this could be coded to default off? I will probably ask when I go in for first service, but that isn't for a while...

13000 miles for me.

[gsmith999]

Originally Posted by NYCE90DRIVER

13000 miles for me.

I've got 14,000 to go, but I will take it in for my 1 year oil change before I hit that. Unless it turns out to be true that dealer can set auto start/stop to default off, or even permanently off.

[LuvMyE92]

I test drove a 2012 528 this past weekend and was unimpressed with the start/stop "feature". How do you turn it off, via iDrive?

Thanks!

[NYF32DRIVER]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

I test drove a 2012 528 this past weekend and was unimpressed with the start/stop "feature". How do you turn it off, via iDrive?

Thanks!

You have to turn it off every time you start the car. The off button is under the ignition start/stop button.
Annoying.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

I test drove a 2012 528 this past weekend and was unimpressed with the start/stop "feature". How do you turn it off, via iDrive?

Thanks!

You buy a different car.

[NYF32DRIVER]

Originally Posted by NYCE90DRIVER

You have to turn it off every time you start the car. The off button is under the ignition start/stop button.
Annoying.

Has ANYONE gone to get their car serviced and asked about changing the default to OFF ?

[BigKutta]

I have had my '12 528i for 3 weeks and have complained about this features from the start. It was around 30 degrees for the last 2 weeks so the feature has not kicked on, but today it was out in full force. I can appreciate the feature (and the potential fuel economy), however, I think the problem with the feature is that it is not smart enough (or broken in my car).

The manual states that the feature is meant to operate at trafiic lights and NOT in stop-and-go situations, however, my car stops every time I stop completely, and not just at traffic lights. During my normal commute, I come to a complete stop dozens of times (DC beltway). I hate the engine turing off in this situation. This morning I was waiting to make a left turn and the oncoming traffic was flowing steadily, and the only way to make the turn was to gun it when I found the slightest gap. The car stopped while I waited. Although it started up quickly, it does not give you confidence when you want to gun it really fast.

My car will even stop in parking lots! Sometimes I will pull into a space, and if I feel I am a bit close to the other cars, I'll pause to reassess the space or if I want to move it over a bit (yes, anal I know). The car stops.

Basically, this feature has a noble purpose but BMW ought to have put a bit more intelligence into the system, like acutally knowing that one is at a traffic light. I have some long traffic lights on my commute so shutting down the engine would actually be welcome, but not during stop-and-go traffic DC style. I suppose they dont have the kind of stop-and-go traffic in Germany like we do.

BMW - You need to fix this feature!!

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by alex_c

Here is my empirical take on Auto Start/Stop:

When I had my 2011 535 (exactly same engine and same car as my 2012) I was getting 21.5 MPG on my daily commute.

After getting the 2012 and leaving the Auto Start/Stop function enabled (default) I'm now getting 24.7 MPG constantly.

Same commute, same traffic. If anything, I should be getting worst mileage on the new car being it is barely broken-in. Instead, I'm getting more than 3 MPG.

3 MPG may not sound like much, but if you consider that I use an average of 20 gallons per week (refill every 6 days), I'm getting about 60 miles per week more.

Multiply the 60 miles extra per week x 52 weeks / year and you get 3,120 extra miles per year.

That is more than 6 weeks of free gas every year, or around $510 per year in gas.

Given that there is NO maintenance or warranty costs for 4 years, I will save over $2,000 in those 4 years, and I don't care if the car needs a new starter, as it will be covered by warranty. Also, most likely I will trade it in at the end of the 4 years.

So, bottom line, I like it, it saves money and it is good for the environment.

BTW, it should be fairly easy to change the switch from a NO (Normally Open) circuit to an NC (Normally Closed) type with a very simple in-line circuit.

How much would YOU be willing to pay for this circuit?

The new technology is actually pretty impressive. My 528i gives me the same gas mileage (26mpg) as my retired e46 325i, on the same commute, no Start/Stop, driving in COmfort or Sport Mode. The 5 is a much heavier car so the efficiency is attributed to the 4cyl turbo alone.

On my next fillup I will switch to ECO mode (it will be an anemic week) and leave Start/Stop on, to measure the gas mileage change. The car is also not yet broken in (700 miles) so maybe there are more improvements to be had

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I have had my '12 528i for 3 weeks and have complained about this features from the start. It was around 30 degrees for the last 2 weeks so the feature has not kicked on, but today it was out in full force. I can appreciate the feature (and the potential fuel economy), however, I think the problem with the feature is that it is not smart enough (or broken in my car).

The manual states that the feature is meant to operate at trafiic lights and NOT in stop-and-go situations, however, my car stops every time I stop completely, and not just at traffic lights. During my normal commute, I come to a complete stop dozens of times (DC beltway). I hate the engine turing off in this situation. This morning I was waiting to make a left turn and the oncoming traffic was flowing steadily, and the only way to make the turn was to gun it when I found the slightest gap. The car stopped while I waited. Although it started up quickly, it does not give you confidence when you want to gun it really fast.

My car will even stop in parking lots! Sometimes I will pull into a space, and if I feel I am a bit close to the other cars, I'll pause to reassess the space or if I want to move it over a bit (yes, anal I know). The car stops.

Basically, this feature has a noble purpose but BMW ought to have put a bit more intelligence into the system, like acutally knowing that one is at a traffic light. I have some long traffic lights on my commute so shutting down the engine would actually be welcome, but not during stop-and-go traffic DC style. I suppose they dont have the kind of stop-and-go traffic in Germany like we do.

BMW - You need to fix this feature!!

Your car sounds like it is behaving perfectly.
The system was never made just to turn off at traffic lights, but to especially turn off in stop start traffic where the cars waste a lot of gas.
Any movement over 3mph in stop start allows the system to stop the engine again after starting

[E90Fleet]

The system cannot be coded to off by the dealer.
Its has to be on for the engines to get their EU gas mileage certifications and emissions ratings.
The dealer can switch it off for a short while for diagnosis reasons while hooked up to the dealer system, but it will go back to normal once the car is disconnected from the system

Expect to see it in more and more European cars.
Porsche already has it

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Your car sounds like it is behaving perfectly.
The system was never made just to turn off at traffic lights, but to especially turn off in stop start traffic where the cars waste a lot of gas.

According to the manual it is not. The manual says that the engine will not switch off automatically in stop-and-go traffic (see pg 65 of manual), so I assumed there is some intelligence built in.


Stop and go can mean stopping for 1 second and moving again (which is what happens in my case). I can see it stooping in very heavy congestion where you are stopped for a minute or more, but the typical rush hour traffic should not be included in this scheme

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

According to the manual it is not. The manual says that the engine will not switch off automatically in stop-and-go traffic (see pg 65 of manual), so I assumed there is some intelligence built in.


Stop and go can mean stopping for 1 second and moving again (which is what happens in my case). I can see it stooping in very heavy congestion where you are stopped for a minute or more, but the typical rush hour traffic should not be included in this scheme

If you go over 3mph after the last stop it will stop again

[E90Fleet]

I see they define Stop & Go traffic as "atleast 3 stops in short succession"
Then the system is supposed to disable itself for a short while

How short is the question

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

If you go over 3mph after the last stop it will stop again

From BMW technical manuals:

The engine is switched off if:
• the vehicle is stationary (speed below 2 mph)
• the vehicle has been driven at over 3 mph since the last time the engine
was stopped
• the vehicle has been driven at over 3 mph since the last time terminal 15
was switched over
• the manual gearbox is in neutral
• the clutch pedal is not depressed
• the steering wheel is not being turned
• the engine speed is approximately idling speed

hmm, makes sense. I wish we could tweak that number to 10 or 15 mph.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

hmm, makes sense. I wish we could tweak that number to 10 or 15 mph.

I wish they could add all kinds of things
Shouldnt be too difficult to add to Idrive

How about a Voltmeter, Ammeter, Boost guage, Digital Water and oil temperature,DIY Battery reset ect ect