Polar Vortex

[Helihover]

Originally Posted by upallnight

With the Polar Vortex releasing its frigid grip on us I decided to start the X. Lucky I decided earlier not to lock the x because the driver side door handle was frozen. Went in through the rear and I was able to release and push the driver side door open. Release the hood and connected my maintainer/charger to the jump post. The maintainer reported back that the battery was at 22% the lowest that I have ever seen. After about a hour the maintainer indicated that the battery was 100%. Disconnected the maintainer and started up the X. Started like a BMW. Remove as much of the snow from the X and proceeded on the expressway. At highway speed the snow pile that was on the roof was sent flying backward. There was a vibration in the front, but I attributed that to the snow pack and ice that I didn't clear off the wheels. After about a hour of driving the vibration went away.

Only casualty from the deep freeze is that I have an airbag light on. Will look into this when the weather is a little bit warmer.

Funny, our temps stayed between 10-20 degrees for a few days before Xmas and my air bag light stayed on during that time. It's off now. Weird.

[X5Cat]

Got down to a balmy +14F here in Mobile. The X had to spend the night outside the garage, since it was full of all our potted plants hauled in from the cold. Ran just a little rough for about 3 seconds, then purred like a kitten. You folks in Illinois will probably laugh your heads off to hear they actually closed school here for a day b/c of the extreme cold!

[DYPWICK]

This was Monday morning on way to work, X sat outside at work all day. I did go drive it at lunch but it has started all week so far. Happy but nervous... witnessed 5 oil separator failures on e53's in 2 days.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by X5Cat

Got down to a balmy +14F here in Mobile. The X had to spend the night outside the garage, since it was full of all our potted plants hauled in from the cold. Ran just a little rough for about 3 seconds, then purred like a kitten. You folks in Illinois will probably laugh your heads off to hear they actually closed school here for a day b/c of the extreme cold!

[Whitecat]

Temperature went down to -40 here in Montreal...and yes school were all open :-)...heated garage is almost mandatory here if you want to stay away of problems.

I went out to country during that period and she stays outside for 5hours...start like a Champ ..and no air bag light on.

A guy from CAA told me to never boost or let other car boost our BMW due to an high risk with our computer / electronic...always use the power block.

[DYPWICK]

Begs the question why would anyone choose to live here?


And people call in saying "my car sat outside for three days w/I being driven and now won't start, I think my battery is dead...is that normal?" .

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by DYPWICK

Attachment 61835

Its that time of year, the obligatory Self Level Susp Inact light is on lol!

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by DYPWICK

Begs the question why would anyone choose to live here?
Attachment 61836



And people call in saying "my car sat outside for three days w/I being driven and now won't start, I think my battery is dead...is that normal?" .

Free Health Care.

Yep, cold weather sap the battery and when the battery is not fully charged the electrolyte in the battery revert to more of a water solution and the possibilities of the water in the battery freezing increases.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by luvmy03E53

Lucky dog! Damn Vortex has left my X sitting in the driveway since Monday... and I live in SC!

I know

[srmmmm]

I had 15 degrees F one morning here in Dallas. My X5 is always outside and never seems to have a starting problem, but you can tell all the lubes are a little hesitant to flow in the differentials and transmission as it backs out the drive at a snail's pace. The only issue was a new squeak on left hand turns - probably a steering rack seal. The real problem is all the summertime stone chips in the windshield that turn into cracks in the cold temps!

2002 X5 3.0 246,000 miles
2004 325i 110,000 miles