How to Permanently Disable M3 Automatic Start/Stop

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by PeterK

I have a three week old 2010 M3 with the automatic start/stop function. The default is that it is always on.

Most annoying.

Anybody know how to permanently turn it off?

Thanks.

On my 2011 I just push the button and it stays off. Only the light stays on. It is there for me should I be stuck in heavy traffic or healed up due to construction or an accident ahead. I don't use it day to day only as mentioned before.

Why does it not work for you in the same way?

[Pauldramos]

You should use the auto start/stop feature. When u r stopped why let the engine idle? It wastes gas and is pure pollution. Yes, I'm a tree hugger that drives an m3 as responsible as I can.

[DivideBYZero]

Originally Posted by Pauldramos

You should use the auto start/stop feature. When u r stopped why let the engine idle? It wastes gas and is pure pollution. Yes, I'm a tree hugger that drives an m3 as responsible as I can.

It's impossible to be both a tree hugger and an M3 owner. Don't kid yourself you're saving the planet with that 1% greater efficiency.

[Pauldramos]

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

It's impossible to be both a tree hugger and an M3 owner. Don't kid yourself you're saving the planet with that 1% greater efficiency.

Yes, you are correct. Notice I said as responsible as I can be.

[DivideBYZero]

Originally Posted by Pauldramos

Yes, you are correct. Notice I said as responsible as I can be.

Where's the fun in that?

[Edjay]

I have driven a loaner with this, I cannot push the clutch,put it in 1st then start to go fast enough before engine start. In any case I dont notice any lag. the big thing I like is that when at a light, it shuts off its quiet inside.

[OerdingE93]

you probly can code it out with software coding..

[serranot]

Originally Posted by PKM3

Forgot to respond to the durability part. As an engineer, 'you' can pretty much design a vehicle to satisfy increased duty cycling for restarts for its designed lifespan. This would tend to place greater demands on engine components such as starter motor and battery (especially so because many electrical functions remain in limited operation (cabin fan) during Auto Stop. Both starter motor and battery are heavier duty design. Although the literature states that Auto Stop will not occur when cold I believe this is relative as mine will stop at only 50 degrees C oil temperature and fundamentally do not like the idea of this in way of durability; guess it works when it's snowing though that doesn't occur in most of Australia. Although the engine is designed to use the feature over its lifetime with minimal failures, I'm placing bets that my engine componentry will last longer not using the feature. The best way to accelerate life test most electro-mechanical devices is to cycle them on and off. I'd take some convincing to disprove the theory... the choice is still yours...

Well, lots of parts that move with the engine running are not moving when it shuts off. I would argue its going to save wear and tear on those parts. So, it all balances out.

Let's face it, this feature is not about saving the individual motorist a bit of gas; it's about saving all of humanity a lot of gas in totality. A couple of liters per driver and you're talking real money.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by OerdingE93

you probly can code it out with software coding..

you are correct about that.

On US cars it defaults to off but in some other countries they have to turn it off every time! That would drive me crazy..

I'm retrofitting my car with it for fun..

[TVMA Doc]

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

It's impossible to be both a tree hugger and an M3 owner. Don't kid yourself you're saving the planet with that 1% greater efficiency.

No it's not. I care about wasting gas, so I bought my WIFE a hybrid.

[Adobong_M]

I have the 2012 e92 M3 and the Auto Start-Stop default setting is OFF (which means the OFF is lit all the time) BUT earlier this evening coming out of a drive thru while stopped, the engine stopped and the Auto-Start-Stop symbol showed up on the display cluster DESPITE the "OFF" sign was lit up. I freaking panicked because there were cars behind me and it wouldn't restart I had to push the ENGINE START Button to restart! (panicked not because of the car malfunction but because it would be embarrassing to step out of a stalled e92 M3) LOL

[WarrantyTracker]

Originally Posted by PKM3

Forgot to respond to the durability part. As an engineer, 'you' can pretty much design a vehicle to satisfy increased duty cycling for restarts for its designed lifespan. This would tend to place greater demands on engine components such as starter motor and battery (especially so because many electrical functions remain in limited operation (cabin fan) during Auto Stop. Both starter motor and battery are heavier duty design. Although the literature states that Auto Stop will not occur when cold I believe this is relative as mine will stop at only 50 degrees C oil temperature and fundamentally do not like the idea of this in way of durability; guess it works when it's snowing though that doesn't occur in most of Australia. Although the engine is designed to use the feature over its lifetime with minimal failures, I'm placing bets that my engine componentry will last longer not using the feature. The best way to accelerate life test most electro-mechanical devices is to cycle them on and off. I'd take some convincing to disprove the theory... the choice is still yours...

I'm going to hope the starter and battery are uprated, and count myself a winner, since I don't use the auto-stop feature, but maybe they will last longer. I tend to keep fast BMWs forever.

[TVMA Doc]

Originally Posted by 1MORELAP

I belong to this camp. IMHO, the car should remember the setting in the key along with the EDC and other settings. So people can have it their way. It is likely that this feature is programmable. We just need to figure out how.

I also would like to understand how this puts more wear on the motor as the motor is NOT running??? I presume the battery and starter are designed for the extra load.

My wife's 2008 Highlander Hybrid has this feature. She is on 120k miles and going with no sign of battery or starter issues. That thing turns the egine off for just about ANYTHING. It even shuts the engine off while driving if the computer thinks that the electric drive will be enough for the time being.

I wouldn't worry too much about the wear and tear. These systems have been pretty well researched for the hybrids. It really comes down to personal choice. I chose to leave it off, but not over worry about the starter. I also agree that there should be a setting in Mdrive.

[BlackLight]

In a hybrid there is a large electric motor and battery as integral part of the drivetrain. Not even a comparison, the bloody thing takes off on the electric motor alone!

I am betting people are concerned of the additional use on the starter and ringgear.