I'd suggest you want to minimize idling in winter. Running the engine below operating temp for long periods of time will result in moisture build-up in the engine. High engine moisture combined with very low Alberta temperatures will cause crank-case ventilation valve freeze-up (and $2000 repair bills). The dealers in Edmonton will tell you the same thing (if you can get them to admit to this problem).

The X5 is a great winter driver but the CCV is a weak-point when it comes to the very cold Alberta winters. Since this is your first winter with your X in an Alberta winter, I would strongly suggest that you research and understand CCV issues. They have the potential to result in high maintenance bills (if you don't have a warranty that covers it).

Last winter I posted some pictures to show how I routinely check and clean-out my CCV in winter:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-pictures.html

Good advice above regarding a short idle and a gentle drive to warm up. The only thing to add is to avoid short trips during cold spells, for the reasons Seabass pointed out pertaining to moisture buildup.

I've yet to any cold start problems on my bimmers through 9 winters.

So you guys are saying in cold weather its best to start up the X and drive it off the second its past blue on the temp gauge? as oppose to letting it idle warm up for a good 2-3 mins? Even if its an older X? such as an 00/01/02?

Check your manual. I'm not sure about the older models but the manual for my 2005 says to start it and drive away immediately (and conservatively) without any warm-up.

During a conversation with my local dealer following my CCV issues, the service manager echoed this statement.

The best advice is what JCL said. Exactly. Start the car, let the rpm's calm down and settle in. Drive the car and keep rpms low until your temp gauge is out of the blue or near out of blue. After you start the car, maybe 1 minute after, start driving. Lightly...

You'll definitely need to have that car garaged overnight. Don't let it sit all night outside in those sub freezing temps. That can be murder on an X. And the CCV issues will definitely come into play. I speak from experience. We had a cold winter here 2 years ago around -10 degrees F and i started my car, it was a very rough start because the damn thing was frozen and left outside overnight. Long story short, my Valve cover gasket blew, only I didn't know it until I was on the freeway driving to work and smoke was billowing out of my hood, tailpipes, everywhere, there was no visibility. Pulled over, and the rest of the story is towed to the dealer, part replace, $$, etc. You get the picture. the VCG blew because my CCV was frozen with moisture. That was the last time I left my X outside overnight in the winter.

Good point about always parking in a garage. My CCV problem surfaced after leaving the X on the driveway for 6 hours in -30°C weather.

I just moved to Calgary and my 4.8is is currently on a truck on it's way here from Socal so this topic is relevant to my interests. Thanks to the posters for the answers to my warm up questions. I wasn't sure if I needed a block (or coolant) heater, but this thread seems to say "no."

The other thing I am worried about is the cosmetic and corrosion abuse on the vehicles that I see on the roads here. How do you keep your X5s nice? Do you recommend a clear bra to minimize damage from the stones, sand, etc on the road? If so, can anyone recommend an installer in Calgary? One more - do you recommend any kind of undercoating to inhibit rust?

thats great if you have a garage.so does the 2006 x5 4.4 have easier access to the ccv valve?

thanks for the advice everyone,just one other question this sight is scaring me,does anyone have a x5 that didnt have any problems?lol....

I've had a pretty reliable x5. Just some issues needed clearing up when I had just bought it but after that its rock solid. (knock on wood):thumbup: