Questions you thought were too dumb to ask E53 edition

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by stackz

good to know! checked my build sheet and nope, dont have. at least I dont have to worry about my airbags blowing out lol!

ok, idiot question #2!

wayy too lazy to look in my owners manual that I bought on ebay but....past couple mornings when its cold out, I crank up the car and put it in gear and get a single "ding" and I look at my dash thinking a code or something popped up and its just the temperature flashing real quick letting me know its 37 degrees outside.

why's it do this? letting me know I should let the car sit and warm up? aint nobody got time for that!

but seriously whats the ding for?

that ding is informational only, just to let you know that the temperature is close to freezing and the roads might be slippery... other than that, no special purpose... that ding can be programmed off in the programming, but since it is only around in winters and when it is cold outside, i think it is ok to keep it...

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by stackz

...past couple mornings when its cold out, I crank up the car and put it in gear and get a single "ding" and I look at my dash thinking a code or something popped up and its just the temperature flashing real quick letting me know its 37 degrees outside.

why's it do this? letting me know I should let the car sit and warm up? aint nobody got time for that!

but seriously whats the ding for?

AS a follow up to TX5's reply ....black ice or regular ice, too...shaded areas and bridges can have ice form at temps around 37°F...it's a warning to watch for ice if driving in areas that it can form.

We've all seen the news stories of serious pile ups due to black ice on major arteries...the ice warning is there to remind you to be on the watch for this phenomena on overpasses, shaded areas, bridges, curves, etc:

[jc1surf]

Hi fellas, here's my question.
Wondering if it is bad for the engine/drive train if Im driving in normal automatic D, and while accelerating, switch to S sport mode, then after the hill/curve/turn, then switch back to normal D out of sport mode?

thanks

[audiophool]

Originally Posted by jc1surf

Hi fellas, here's my question.
Wondering if it is bad for the engine/drive train if Im driving in normal automatic D, and while accelerating, switch to S sport mode, then after the hill/curve/turn, then switch back to normal D out of sport mode?

thanks

No problem at all. Switch between D and Sport as often as you want, however you want.

[racingbmwm3]

Just avoid going into anything other than S or D while moving forward at any speed above a couple mph.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by jc1surf

...Wondering if it is bad for the engine/drive train if Im driving in normal automatic D, and while accelerating, switch to S sport mode, then after the hill/curve/turn, then switch back to normal D out of sport mode?

thanks

Hmmm, I'm not sure I'd switch to S mode WHILE ACCELERATING...I'd probably do it before I accelerated...or would lift my foot from the accelerator (no extra RPM or revs) then enter S mode, then accelerate.

But as others mentioned, STEPTRONIC is designed to NOT destroy the transmission and will not go into a gear if damage would occur. See ENGINE INTERVENTION and DOWNSHIFT INHIBITOR in the information below about STEPTRONIC:

[racingbmwm3]

There isn't a Reverse or Park inhibitor though.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by racingbmwm3

There isn't a Reverse or Park inhibitor though.

...the brake pedal needs to be depressed before the gear select lever can be moved from D into R or P. The lever can be pushed from D into N...but to go from N to D, the brake pedal has to be depressed first.

[racingbmwm3]

ah yes, the mechanical inhibitor. Will someone (at their own risk) try running up to around 100mph, press the brake pedal and see if it will go into Park or Reverse? hehe.

[jc1surf]

Originally Posted by racingbmwm3

ah yes, the mechanical inhibitor. Will someone (at their own risk) try running up to around 100mph, press the brake pedal and see if it will go into Park or Reverse? hehe.

i'll stay off the highway when this is being tested. Hay fellas, Happy New Years....Thanks for all the above replies/tips. When do you guys use the M1-M6 mode?
I usually shift into S mode while accelerating, I will lift my foot off the pedal, then shift into Smode. Thanks Qsilver for your post ..
Going to be driving up to the mountains this wknd for some boarding action, and going to put the X in S-mode going up, hope i'll feel a diff.

Here's a side question, my service interval light went down to the red square, with the "inspection" light on, i checked the dip stick and oil is right below the max line, and color looks gold/darker shade. I just recently had the VCG & OFHG, 6plugs, fixed. I still need to fix the T-stat. Wondering is it safe to drive up to the mountains this wknd? I live in Socal no weather is not winter crazy here, its just a 2hour drive. Should I squeeze in some repairs before the trip or i should be ok?

Thanks fellas, and sorry for the long write up...