Stupid Question

G_Anders · 01-31-2011, 07:22 PM

I stored my car a few months back and I have started it every other week, I started it today and the Increased Emissions alert came on. Not sure why it would come on now after a few months.

So my question is can I start my car and let it run still or is it a bad idea? Not sure what it could be

Cheers

kaykay · 01-31-2011, 07:36 PM

Don't let it sit for more than 30-40 seconds, drive around, if the light goes away, you should be fine.

If not, take it to the dealer.

G_Anders · 01-31-2011, 07:40 PM

So letting it sit for 15-20 minutes to get nice and warm is a bad idea? So what your saying is that I should drive it and it should go away?

RayC · 01-31-2011, 07:57 PM

I did a

and it looks like a faulty O2 sensor. Seems fairly common and doesn't really affect performance.

Just got the same a few days ago. Not too concerned with it and I would take it in this week but it's the Lunar New Year holidays here in Korea.

kaykay · 01-31-2011, 07:57 PM

Terrible idea

Most will say (including BMW, I believe) that 30-40 seconds is the most you should let the car idle for.

Drive it normally while it warms up, your tach RPM will go down as the engine warms up and then you can WOT when oil temp gauge is in the middle.

Drive it and see what happens.

kaykay · 01-31-2011, 08:07 PM

People never read the manual Schnell

I personally have read the thing 3-4 times, what a great read.

kpneverdies · 01-31-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

This.

Start the engine, and drive... best way to warm up the engine.

Seriously, it's in the manual as well.

i thought they stated that to reduce the emission, not b/c it's best for the engine to warm up.
did it really say start the engine and drive for the best way to warm up the engine?

BMWM5NYC · 01-31-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpneverdies

i thought they stated that to reduce the emission, not b/c it's best for the engine to warm up.
did it really say start the engine and drive for the best way to warm up the engine?

It IS for emissions purposes that they don't want you sitting and idling. Also if you drive moderately everything, (tranny & differential) warm up at the same time. If you idle for a time, engine can be warm but other parts are cold. Then you would "forget" and drive like you have a totally warm car.

kaykay · 01-31-2011, 08:40 PM

Just drive my friend, drive and drive and drive, maybe you'll end up somewhere fun and interesting. Life is a journey, the car you're in makes it that much better

(Getting deep over here LOL

)

TRY...M3 · 01-31-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaykay

Terrible idea

Most will say (including BMW, I believe) that 30-40 seconds is the most you should let the car idle for.

Drive it normally while it warms up, your tach RPM will go down as the engine warms up and then you can WOT when oil temp gauge is in the middle.

Drive it and see what
happens.

Even in the middle of winter 5 to 30 degrees?

G_Anders · 01-31-2011, 09:13 PM

the problem is its stored and I dont want the car to see snow or salt, so I was always under the assumption that when you start it up you should run it to operating temperature before you shut it down to burn the condensation out

positiveions · 01-31-2011, 09:18 PM

actually, by letting the car sit to warm up can damage the catalytic converter. I was told that when I used to own my MKII GTI 16V back in '92

MysticBlue · 01-31-2011, 09:23 PM

If you're not actually going to drive it long enough to get the engine and transmission warm, then why start it at all?
Mine goes for weeks at a time without leaving the garage in the winter, sometimes a couple of months. I never start it unless I plan on driving it. I just pump up the tires and plug in a battery tender and it's fine.

osteome · 02-01-2011, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

If you're not actually going to drive it long enough to get the engine and transmission warm, then why start it at all?
Mine goes for weeks at a time without leaving the garage in the winter, sometimes a couple of months. I never start it unless I plan on driving it. I just pump up the tires and plug in a battery tender and it's fine.

^^^^

Essentially this. I store mine for the entire winter with pumped up tires, battery tender, and a full fuel tank with stabilizer. Emergency brake off, tires chocked and glue traps forming a perimeter around the car.

The best part is blowing though that first tank when the warm weather hits!

G_Anders · 02-01-2011, 05:19 PM

thanks

ersin · 02-01-2011, 05:30 PM

Don't worry about it. You're due some increased emissions now. It will make up for all the emissions you haven't been spewing the past few months.

Cheers.

OC3 · 02-01-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ersin

Don't worry about it. You're due some increased emissions now. It will make up for all the emissions you haven't been spewing the past few months.

Cheers.

G_Anders · 02-01-2011, 05:36 PM

hammbone50 · 02-02-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osteome

^^^^

Essentially this. I store mine for the entire winter with pumped up tires, battery tender, and a full fuel tank with stabilizer. Emergency brake off, tires chocked and glue traps forming a perimeter around the car.

The best part is blowing though that first tank when the warm weather hits!

Hmmmm I do the same thing however never thought about the glue traps, now my wife is really going to think I am crazy!!!

G_Anders · 02-17-2011, 05:30 PM

Took it in today and found out it was some fuel pressure sensor.

They also told me it doesn't hurt to let the car run and warm up for 15 minutes but its bad to start it up in the cold and move it 50 feet then let it sit

ss134 · 02-17-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

If you're not actually going to drive it long enough to get the engine and transmission warm, then why start it at all?
Mine goes for weeks at a time without leaving the garage in the winter, sometimes a couple of months. I never start it unless I plan on driving it. I just pump up the tires and plug in a battery tender and it's fine.

Exactly.

Cold Steel · 02-18-2011, 02:50 PM

I agree with last post. I live in a climate where winter brings snow and salt. I put on performance M winter tires, and drive the car all year. When there's lots of snow or really crazy weather I drive my Ford F150 4x4. You only live once, drive the car, it won't brake!

01-31-2011, 07:22 PM	#1
G_Anders Private 2 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Stupid Question I stored my car a few months back and I have started it every other week, I started it today and the Increased Emissions alert came on. Not sure why it would come on now after a few months. So my question is can I start my car and let it run still or is it a bad idea? Not sure what it could be Cheers
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01-31-2011, 07:36 PM	#2
kaykay Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,769 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E93 328i Conve ... [9.50] 2011 E92 M3 ZCP [8.66] 2008 550i Sport [10.00]	Don't let it sit for more than 30-40 seconds, drive around, if the light goes away, you should be fine. If not, take it to the dealer. __________________ '12 CLS550 Palladium Silver - loaded '11 E92 M3 ZCP - SG/B-EXT/CF, M-DCT, loaded '11 E93 328i, BSM over Saddle Brown, sport, loaded '08 550i M-Sport, Carbon Black (Gone but not forgotten), '06 W211 E55 AMG (Gone, miss this animal),'01 E39 540i Sport
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01-31-2011, 07:40 PM	#3
G_Anders Private 2 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	So letting it sit for 15-20 minutes to get nice and warm is a bad idea? So what your saying is that I should drive it and it should go away?
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01-31-2011, 07:57 PM	#4
RayC Lieutenant 13 Rep 544 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Centreville, VA iTrader: (4)	I did a and it looks like a faulty O2 sensor. Seems fairly common and doesn't really affect performance. Just got the same a few days ago. Not too concerned with it and I would take it in this week but it's the Lunar New Year holidays here in Korea.
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01-31-2011, 07:57 PM	#5
kaykay Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,769 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E93 328i Conve ... [9.50] 2011 E92 M3 ZCP [8.66] 2008 550i Sport [10.00]	Terrible idea Most will say (including BMW, I believe) that 30-40 seconds is the most you should let the car idle for. Drive it normally while it warms up, your tach RPM will go down as the engine warms up and then you can WOT when oil temp gauge is in the middle. Drive it and see what happens. __________________ '12 CLS550 Palladium Silver - loaded '11 E92 M3 ZCP - SG/B-EXT/CF, M-DCT, loaded '11 E93 328i, BSM over Saddle Brown, sport, loaded '08 550i M-Sport, Carbon Black (Gone but not forgotten), '06 W211 E55 AMG (Gone, miss this animal),'01 E39 540i Sport
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01-31-2011, 08:07 PM	#6
kaykay Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,769 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E93 328i Conve ... [9.50] 2011 E92 M3 ZCP [8.66] 2008 550i Sport [10.00]	People never read the manual Schnell I personally have read the thing 3-4 times, what a great read. __________________ '12 CLS550 Palladium Silver - loaded '11 E92 M3 ZCP - SG/B-EXT/CF, M-DCT, loaded '11 E93 328i, BSM over Saddle Brown, sport, loaded '08 550i M-Sport, Carbon Black (Gone but not forgotten), '06 W211 E55 AMG (Gone, miss this animal),'01 E39 540i Sport
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01-31-2011, 08:40 PM	#9
kaykay Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,769 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E93 328i Conve ... [9.50] 2011 E92 M3 ZCP [8.66] 2008 550i Sport [10.00]	Just drive my friend, drive and drive and drive, maybe you'll end up somewhere fun and interesting. Life is a journey, the car you're in makes it that much better (Getting deep over here LOL ) __________________ '12 CLS550 Palladium Silver - loaded '11 E92 M3 ZCP - SG/B-EXT/CF, M-DCT, loaded '11 E93 328i, BSM over Saddle Brown, sport, loaded '08 550i M-Sport, Carbon Black (Gone but not forgotten), '06 W211 E55 AMG (Gone, miss this animal),'01 E39 540i Sport
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01-31-2011, 09:13 PM	#11
G_Anders Private 2 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	the problem is its stored and I dont want the car to see snow or salt, so I was always under the assumption that when you start it up you should run it to operating temperature before you shut it down to burn the condensation out
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01-31-2011, 09:18 PM	#12
positiveions Lieutenant General 961 Rep 11,722 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	actually, by letting the car sit to warm up can damage the catalytic converter. I was told that when I used to own my MKII GTI 16V back in '92
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01-31-2011, 09:23 PM	#13
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	If you're not actually going to drive it long enough to get the engine and transmission warm, then why start it at all? Mine goes for weeks at a time without leaving the garage in the winter, sometimes a couple of months. I never start it unless I plan on driving it. I just pump up the tires and plug in a battery tender and it's fine.
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02-01-2011, 05:19 PM	#15
G_Anders Private 2 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	thanks
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02-01-2011, 05:30 PM	#16
ersin Brigadier General 126 Rep 4,144 Posts Drives: 17 YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	Don't worry about it. You're due some increased emissions now. It will make up for all the emissions you haven't been spewing the past few months. Cheers. __________________ 2017 F80 YMB.
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02-01-2011, 05:36 PM	#18
G_Anders Private 2 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)
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02-17-2011, 05:30 PM	#20
G_Anders Private 2 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Took it in today and found out it was some fuel pressure sensor. They also told me it doesn't hurt to let the car run and warm up for 15 minutes but its bad to start it up in the cold and move it 50 feet then let it sit
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02-18-2011, 02:50 PM	#22
Cold Steel Cutter 4 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Car is meant to be driven! I agree with last post. I live in a climate where winter brings snow and salt. I put on performance M winter tires, and drive the car all year. When there's lots of snow or really crazy weather I drive my Ford F150 4x4. You only live once, drive the car, it won't brake!
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