[Cellisimo]

Hi all,

I've just picked up a F20 116i a few days ago and noticed that the auto stop/start isn't working like it did in the demo car that I drove.

I've read various things on this with some people saying that the battery has to fully charge before this feature kicks in. is that correct?

I have driven it with the aircon off and also in ECO mode but it has never stopped in traffic like it is meant to.

thanks

[eezzee]

There is a list of conditions when it doesn't operate. Check those in the owner's manual. These include engine not warmed up, outside temperature below/above certain level, engine warmed up, being in sport mode, too low speed, air con setting etc.

[Cellisimo]

Yes, I have checked all those. It's a mild summer in Australia so its just nice weather. I've tried it with the aircon off. Tried it with ECO mode. Also sat in traffic for almost 10 minutes and nothing happened.

[Superspeed]

Originally Posted by Cellisimo

Yes, I have checked all those. It's a mild summer in Australia so its just nice weather. I've tried it with the aircon off. Tried it with ECO mode. Also sat in traffic for almost 10 minutes and nothing happened.

I haven't got the F20 yet, but in my F12 there is a on/off button for this function, and I'm sure it's similar in the F20. You might check it out.

When you turn on the ignition however, it is supposed to engage the start/stop function automatically - unless you have commanded the iDrive to set it up differently.

[JonF1982]

Make sure you are stationary in neutral with the clutch disengaged.

Providing auto start stop is switched on, it is above 3 degrees and the battery is sufficiently charged it will auto stop.

If it doesn’t stop immediately after bringing the clutch up, it won’t stop at all no matter how long you wait. You’ll have to put the car in gear, move, come to a dead stop again, put in neutral and bring the clutch up before the software will trigger another decision whether to auto stop or not.

If this doesn’t work, go back and see the dealer, it’s broke.

[Cellisimo]

It's an auto transmission.

THe car has only travelled 170km since I picked it up the other day, so perhaps it needs a while before the stop/start begins to work?

[JonF1982]

I think that would be the problem then, i was under the impression that it only worked on Manual cars?

[JonF1982]

That's odd, i was sure i had read that it wasnt on Autos so i looked on the website (see below) Maybe this is old information?

Implementing Start/Stop on an auto box was traditionally more of a challenge as the engine must restart instantly when the driver moves from the brake to the accelerator.

[Superspeed]

Originally Posted by Sol01

The engine will not stop if:

a) Outside temperature is below 37F (3C)
b) Outside temperature is above 95F (35C)
c) Car interior has not yet cooled or wamrd up
d) Engine not yet warmed up
e) Battery charge low
f) Directly after car was driven in reverse
g) Stering wheel is turned after car has stoped
h) Stop and Go traffic ( At least three stops made in short succession at a speed of less than 25 km/h/15 mph )
i) Gear selector in Sport or Manual
j) ABS was activated before stopping
k) Windshield is fogging up

Not much the engineers didn't think of here.
The car is a small wonder!

[JonF1982]

Originally Posted by Sol01

g) Stering wheel is turned after car has stoped
h) Stop and Go traffic ( At least three stops made in short succession at a speed of less than 25 km/h/15 mph )

These two explain a lot of the behaviour i have seen when i have wondered why it didn't work.

[Superspeed]

Originally Posted by JonF1982

That's odd, i was sure i had read that it wasnt on Autos so i looked on the website (see below) Maybe this is old information?

Implementing Start/Stop on an auto box was traditionally more of a challenge as the engine must restart instantly when the driver moves from the brake to the accelerator.

In the official (German) brochure for the F20 on page 45:
"Auto Start-Stop Funktion i Verbindung mit Schalt- und Automatikgetriebe"
Meaning:
"Auto Start-Stop function in conjunction with manual AND automatic transmission"

So the text from the web site you refer to is obviously outdated

[JonF1982]

Originally Posted by Superspeed

So the text from the web site you refer to is obviously wrong or outdated

Yep, that's off BMW.co.uk after selecting 1 Series (5 Door) 2011....

[Superspeed]

What a splendid day at work

[JonF1982]

Originally Posted by Superspeed

What a splendid day at work

Its lunch time......

Who are you, my boss

[Superspeed]

Originally Posted by JonF1982

Its lunch time......
Who are you, my boss

Haha, just enjoying chatting about the REALLY important things in life!

[harrys]

does it work now?

[alexmcred]

At a guess I'd say the car is simply too "new" for it to work and you just haven't driven it enough. In other words get out and drive

[Viva87]

Originally Posted by JonF1982

That's odd, i was sure i had read that it wasnt on Autos so i looked on the website (see below) Maybe this is old information?

Implementing Start/Stop on an auto box was traditionally more of a challenge as the engine must restart instantly when the driver moves from the brake to the accelerator.

It's does work on auto

118i auto works perfect

[eezzee]

It does work with the automatic. Beside the long list of exceptions above, just need to be in D, brake pedal depressed, seat belt on, door closed.

[JonF1982]

Originally Posted by eezzee

door closed.

Maybe that's it! He's driving around with the door wide open!

[eezzee]

:-) :-)

[Cellisimo]

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies.

I did speak to BMW who have suggested that it may be related to the fact that the car is still new and the battery hasn't had time to recharge fully.

The demo car I tried worked flawlessly and was quite impressed, so I'll drive mine for a few more weeks and see if it begins to work then.

By the way, it's a gorgeous car....thoroughly enjoying the 'sheer driving pleasure' hehe