BMW allowing dealers to re-program start/stop

The start/stop feature in the current BMW 3 Series is, by default, activated every time you get in and start the car. If you don't like it, you can deactivate the feature by pressing a button on the dash; however, the next time you turn the car off and start it again (with the key), the start/stop system will kick in.

This is too much hassle for some drivers, who wish start/stop to remain off unless they decide otherwise. To accommodate them, BMW has given dealers permission to activate the system's Last User Mode, which will start the car with stop/start in the same mode as when the car was shut down. Of note, BMW M models come with Last User Mode enabled automatically.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/b...am-start-stop/

 

Good, I hate the feature on the 528I loaner and had to press it off evertime I drove it. Now only if they can reprogram my car to not have the AC on everytime I start it!

 

hahaha so this is bmw's way of getting around all those new regulations huh. sounds like cheating to me

 

^^^ haha, I kind of feel it the same way. But hey, gonna figure out something to make the CAFE happy, right?

BTW, the stop/start can not be turn off on the AH models though.

 

good to know

 

Exactly, this all is just so absurd... in the end, better than not being able to disable it, I guess.

 

Why would you want to? It's a hybrid, that's the way it's SUPPOSED to work. Unlike with a gas-only car, whether the engine is running at any given time is immaterial.

 

Are there any academic papers or journals as to whether current start/stop engine systems might do harm on the engine or related process/components?

 

i wonder if CAFE is going to get to them later about this cheating method. looking at mb, from 07-09, they had the last user mode enabled so people just keep it in S most of the time. but starting 2010, all mb have this menu completely removed and car always starts out in e (economy) mode, and there is no way to change it. i had a feeling CAFE got to them

it's definitely annoying though, if i have to turn the system off every time i start the car

 

+1

don't BMWs have electronic a/c compressors? or are they the old fashioned belt driven?

 

My 2011 M3 has this start/stop feature. Thankfully it is off by default!

I never actually tested it out and turned it on. Having this feature in an M3 is pointless and a waste.

 

I personally don't trust it and I think it is pointless on non hybrid vehicles.

 

NEWS FLASH: The Start/Stop systems, from every manufacturer, are not currently factored into EPA test methodologies, and thus are not going to affect EPA or even CAFE calculations. So BMW is not going to be running afoul of anything with this.