No Temp Gauge?

[Outrageous]

If you really want to know the coolant temp as well as a number of other parameters, there is a way to find out, although it's rather awkward. There is a "hidden menu" that tells this stuff, as outlined briefly in the "Displays, Indicators and Controls" pdf. The following pic is from there. There's also a discussion of using this menu on the e60 forum: http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=21759&st=15

[E61Silver]

Great info but I still think a BMW should have a temp gauge.

Its a automatic but it still has a tack.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

I know that on the 335I they have put back the temp gauge and droped the mpg gauge.

Actually, that's a buffered oil temp gauge.

Why couldn't BMW just stuck with the previous traditional gauges? They've worked well for decades and provided the information needed. I want the speedo, tach, instant fuel consumption, water temp, and fuel gauges. A variable redline is nice but not necessary.

[Outrageous]

Originally Posted by x54.4blue

I still think a BMW should have a temp gauge.

I agree with you 100%. The only car I ever had with an overheating problem was a 530i, a long time ago (I think the auxillary fan switch failed.) It's useful to know if your engine is STARTING to overheat, rather than be told with a warning message that it's overheated NOW.

So...is anyone up for trying the hidden menu? Apparently menu item 7 has the coolant and oil temps.

[X5FX]

sorry but my "lines", "springs" whatever they are do not move. They are fixed at 4 lines (see attached photo) regardless of engine temp.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by X5FX

sorry but my "lines", "springs" whatever they are do not move. They are fixed at 4 lines (see attached photo) regardless of engine temp.

Hmm, mine aren't. On my 545 the lines start at just under 4,000 on the tach and a cold motor...they slowly go down to the area you have them.

[trueX5er]

Originally Posted by X5FX

sorry but my "lines", "springs" whatever they are do not move. They are fixed at 4 lines (see attached photo) regardless of engine temp.

Yea...I just noticed that too...The dealer said they moved....but I never paid attention until just now....and they aren't moving....weird...

[AzNMpower32]

Well, are the "lines" any lower on the rpm scale when the engine is cold? When the engine is just started up for the first time (cold start), usually if there's a variable redline, it'll be down around 4k rpm. If there's nothing there, then congratulations! You have NO way of telling what's going on with engine temp whatsoever!

[xdrive]

Originally Posted by X5FX

sorry but my "lines", "springs" whatever they are do not move. They are fixed at 4 lines (see attached photo) regardless of engine temp.

Perhaps this feature is exclusive for the 5-series and not the X5. I think neither the 3-series has this feature.