Auto engine stop feature

G.R · 10-14-2010, 06:08 PM

Picked my new car up last week and was pleasantly surprised to find this feature came with my July built M3 as I thought this feature was only coming with cars built after September. At first I thought it was a great little concept by the boys at M division to save you fuel and reduce emissions and didn't have a negative effect on your driving experience.

For those that don't know what happens bascically everytime you get a red light or come to a stop by putting your foot on the brake the engine will stop for the 15-40 seconds until the light goes green or you are ready to resume driving. You then take your foot off the brake and the engine starts up again as you accelerate off.

Then I realised it wasn't always working, most of the time actually. So I changed from D mode to S mode to see if that made a difference. It turns out this auto engine stop feature only works when the car is in D (auto) mode. Which is only 5-10% of the time when I'm driving.

Why can't they get it working when it's in S mode?

davem3fan · 10-14-2010, 09:01 PM

I would assume that they programmed it to assume that SPORT would be a situation where you would not want the car to turn itself off.

I just experimented with this in Germany on my ED 2011 Manual E90 M3. If memory serves correctly, Auto Start/Stop does not work if the car is in M mode with a 6MT.

It is interesting, but in the USA our traffic lights don't warn you when the light will turn green. I think it will not be a winner once my car gets back to these shores.

I need more time to futz with it. My car won't be here till mid November.
Tick, tick, tick. I think the clock is slow.

radiantm3 · 10-14-2010, 09:09 PM

Was your A/C on? From what I've read, the start/stop function doesn't work then either.

G.R · 10-15-2010, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Was your A/C on? From what I've read, the start/stop function doesn't work then either.

In D mode with A/C on it still works.

richardbb85 · 10-15-2010, 02:43 AM

ehhhh......not a fan of this feature

Stainless 45 · 10-15-2010, 03:23 AM

Question is- has anyone figured out a way to remove it from the car.... Delete the feature w/ software, wirinig etc??

G.R · 10-15-2010, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stainless 45

Question is- has anyone figured out a way to remove it from the car.... Delete the feature w/ software, wirinig etc??

There is no need to. There is a button you can press that can turn the feature off if you don't want to use it.

Rshane · 10-15-2010, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stainless 45

Question is- has anyone figured out a way to remove it from the car.... Delete the feature w/ software, wirinig etc??

When I start my car it is automatically OFF. I have to physically push the button to turn it on.

M3 Pilot · 10-15-2010, 06:51 AM

Are there any implications to engine longevity with this feature ?

I'm thinking how this would work with momentary stop and go traffic. Is there a delay in moving off in that scenario.

///V\3Dude · 10-15-2010, 07:02 AM

I find this feature kind of annoying. I've driven a couple cars with this feature. It feels like as if you bogged the car on a 6MT car. It jerks a little when you start. Does this happen on this particular car?

bilworth · 10-15-2010, 07:19 AM

I've been told the greatest engine wear occurs during startup. If true, it would seem such a feature would probably not be worth it in the long run.

ChrisK · 10-15-2010, 07:21 AM

The M3 Golf Cart.

I understand the concept completely, but you can't tell me the starter isn't going to take a beating.

It will be interesting to see if anyone really does get better gas mileage with this.

kibosh · 10-15-2010, 08:52 AM

Let's just hope they can get enough mileage to get rid of the gas guzzler tax. If BMW wants to add features to improve mileage I'm all for it, as long as they can be disabled for times we don't want them.

shamoo · 10-15-2010, 09:38 AM

Does the engine literally turn off? Does it turn on again in the same fashion as it would if you were manually starting it up (with the same startup noise)? Or is it some "background" feature where the revs simply drop to something very low but the engine is still in essence running?

I could imagine that it would be quite annoying for those with a loud aftermarket exhaust. Every time that it would start up again at a green light, you'd get that initial loud burst of exhaust sound.

davem3fan · 10-15-2010, 10:08 AM

It turns off for real.

The first cold start is the high-wear situation, not the following warm restarts. The starter will get a workout.

BMW probably tested this pretty well. I admire the initiative.

The feature does not default to active. You control it and you never need to use it if you don't want it.

mkoesel · 10-15-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.R

Then I realised it wasn't always working, most of the time actually. So I changed from D mode to S mode to see if that made a difference. It turns out this auto engine stop feature only works when the car is in D (auto) mode. Which is only 5-10% of the time when I'm driving.

Why can't they get it working when it's in S mode?

It does work in S mode. However, there are many conditions that can cause this system to disable itself. Please see this thread:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=437980

KJM3 · 10-15-2010, 10:24 AM

My July/10 2011 doesnt have it.

As long as the default is off all I can see is you are getting a bigger starter (and maybe battery) out of the deal. Its possible the start up programming may be different as well, if mine sits a minute or two when warm and I restart it the idle seems different (air pump maybe) and then it smooths out after 10 seconds or so. I would assume if you had the auto stop/start that doesnt happen.

mkoesel · 10-15-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJM3

My July/10 2011 doesnt have it.

That's because the US didn't get it until September. OP is in Australia and was confused about the release schedule for his country.

ChrisK · 10-15-2010, 10:36 AM

I had one of the last builds in August and was quite happy I didn't get it

kscarrol · 10-15-2010, 11:16 AM

I have it on my Sept build but my CA turned it off during delivery and I've never turned it back on. Can't imagine I ever will...

radiantm3 · 10-15-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJM3

My July/10 2011 doesnt have it.

As long as the default is off all I can see is you are getting a bigger starter (and maybe battery) out of the deal. Its possible the start up programming may be different as well, if mine sits a minute or two when warm and I restart it the idle seems different (air pump maybe) and then it smooths out after 10 seconds or so. I would assume if you had the auto stop/start that doesnt happen.

The start/stop feature is supposed to have regenerative braking as well. I guess that could be considered another + whether you use the feature or not.

jeffnnj · 10-15-2010, 12:45 PM

The car gets such great gas mileage already so why would we possibly need it improved?

10-14-2010, 06:08 PM	#1
G.R Private First Class 10 Rep 105 Posts Drives: AW E93 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Auto engine stop feature Picked my new car up last week and was pleasantly surprised to find this feature came with my July built M3 as I thought this feature was only coming with cars built after September. At first I thought it was a great little concept by the boys at M division to save you fuel and reduce emissions and didn't have a negative effect on your driving experience. For those that don't know what happens bascically everytime you get a red light or come to a stop by putting your foot on the brake the engine will stop for the 15-40 seconds until the light goes green or you are ready to resume driving. You then take your foot off the brake and the engine starts up again as you accelerate off. Then I realised it wasn't always working, most of the time actually. So I changed from D mode to S mode to see if that made a difference. It turns out this auto engine stop feature only works when the car is in D (auto) mode. Which is only 5-10% of the time when I'm driving. Why can't they get it working when it's in S mode? Last edited by G.R; 10-14-2010 at 09:13 PM..
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10-14-2010, 09:01 PM	#2
davem3fan Captain 186 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Sedan Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philly Metro iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d [0.00]	Auto Start/Stop in 2011 M3 Manual Trans I would assume that they programmed it to assume that SPORT would be a situation where you would not want the car to turn itself off. I just experimented with this in Germany on my ED 2011 Manual E90 M3. If memory serves correctly, Auto Start/Stop does not work if the car is in M mode with a 6MT. It is interesting, but in the USA our traffic lights don't warn you when the light will turn green. I think it will not be a winner once my car gets back to these shores. I need more time to futz with it. My car won't be here till mid November. Tick, tick, tick. I think the clock is slow. __________________ Dave Flogaus CCA #123862 11 E90 M3 Sedan DCT 94 E36 325is M-Tech (S50)
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10-14-2010, 09:09 PM	#3
radiantm3 Apex Everything! 976 Rep 4,378 Posts Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cedar Park, TX iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [9.35] 2014 BMW i3 [10.00]	Was your A/C on? From what I've read, the start/stop function doesn't work then either. __________________ 2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer). My pet project: https://stickershift.com
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10-15-2010, 02:43 AM	#5
richardbb85 Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,653 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: annandale, va iTrader: (0)	ehhhh......not a fan of this feature __________________ 2011 E92 Space Grey/black + Tech + Premi + Heated Seats
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10-15-2010, 03:23 AM	#6
Stainless 45 Captain 87 Rep 602 Posts Drives: Last of the V-8 Interceptors Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1)	Question is- has anyone figured out a way to remove it from the car.... Delete the feature w/ software, wirinig etc??
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10-15-2010, 06:51 AM	#9
M3 Pilot Lieutenant 74 Rep 478 Posts Drives: 17' F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Are there any implications to engine longevity with this feature ? I'm thinking how this would work with momentary stop and go traffic. Is there a delay in moving off in that scenario. __________________ 2013 E92 M3 ZCP 2014 F06 M6 GC 2017 F80 M3 ZCP
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10-15-2010, 07:02 AM	#10
///V\3Dude I Drive Slow To Save Gas :D $///V\3Dude's Avatar$ 26 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 08 M3, MY11 STi Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: I <3 NY iTrader: (2)	I find this feature kind of annoying. I've driven a couple cars with this feature. It feels like as if you bogged the car on a 6MT car. It jerks a little when you start. Does this happen on this particular car? __________________
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10-15-2010, 07:19 AM	#11
bilworth No street racing! 9 Rep 88 Posts Drives: E90 M-3 JzBlack Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I've been told the greatest engine wear occurs during startup. If true, it would seem such a feature would probably not be worth it in the long run. __________________ 2008 M-3 6sp/JzB/etc 2008 X-3 Sport/Prem/White
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10-15-2010, 07:21 AM	#12
ChrisK Major General 4449 Rep 7,594 Posts Drives: '19 M2C Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (7) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [7.00] 2015 Porsche Macan S [0.00]	The M3 Golf Cart. I understand the concept completely, but you can't tell me the starter isn't going to take a beating. It will be interesting to see if anyone really does get better gas mileage with this. __________________ www.ReTuneTheDeTune.com 2019 M2 Competition (Sunset Orange)
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10-15-2010, 08:52 AM	#13
kibosh Private First Class 3 Rep 117 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E92 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Let's just hope they can get enough mileage to get rid of the gas guzzler tax. If BMW wants to add features to improve mileage I'm all for it, as long as they can be disabled for times we don't want them.
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10-15-2010, 09:38 AM	#14
shamoo Captain 62 Rep 764 Posts Drives: 2018 GT3, 2017 X5M Join Date: May 2010 Location: SoCal (Irvine & LA) iTrader: (1)	Does the engine literally turn off? Does it turn on again in the same fashion as it would if you were manually starting it up (with the same startup noise)? Or is it some "background" feature where the revs simply drop to something very low but the engine is still in essence running? I could imagine that it would be quite annoying for those with a loud aftermarket exhaust. Every time that it would start up again at a green light, you'd get that initial loud burst of exhaust sound. __________________
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10-15-2010, 10:08 AM	#15
davem3fan Captain 186 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Sedan Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philly Metro iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d [0.00]	It turns off for real. The first cold start is the high-wear situation, not the following warm restarts. The starter will get a workout. BMW probably tested this pretty well. I admire the initiative. The feature does not default to active. You control it and you never need to use it if you don't want it. __________________ Dave Flogaus CCA #123862 11 E90 M3 Sedan DCT 94 E36 325is M-Tech (S50) Last edited by davem3fan; 10-15-2010 at 10:08 AM.. Reason: typo
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10-15-2010, 10:24 AM	#17
KJM3 Private First Class 5 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: East Tennessee iTrader: (0)	My July/10 2011 doesnt have it. As long as the default is off all I can see is you are getting a bigger starter (and maybe battery) out of the deal. Its possible the start up programming may be different as well, if mine sits a minute or two when warm and I restart it the idle seems different (air pump maybe) and then it smooths out after 10 seconds or so. I would assume if you had the auto stop/start that doesnt happen.
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10-15-2010, 10:36 AM	#19
ChrisK Major General 4449 Rep 7,594 Posts Drives: '19 M2C Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (7) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [7.00] 2015 Porsche Macan S [0.00]	I had one of the last builds in August and was quite happy I didn't get it __________________ www.ReTuneTheDeTune.com 2019 M2 Competition (Sunset Orange)
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10-15-2010, 11:16 AM	#20
kscarrol Brigadier General 8908 Rep 4,107 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i, 1974 2002 Tii Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Greenville, SC iTrader: (0)	I have it on my Sept build but my CA turned it off during delivery and I've never turned it back on. Can't imagine I ever will... __________________ 2021 X3 M40i 1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475
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10-15-2010, 12:45 PM	#22
jeffnnj Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 281 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NNJ, USA iTrader: (0)	The car gets such great gas mileage already so why would we possibly need it improved? __________________ 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/Black Novillo Leather 2008 550i Sport, Platinum Gray/Natural Brown (retired) 2006 550i Silver Gray/Black (retired) 2002 M3 Convertible Titanium Silver/Black(retired) 1998 328i Convertible Arctic Silver/Gray(retired)
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