BMW 1-Series Forum (F20) 135i - 1Addicts.com > Second Generation 1 Series Forum > 2012 BMW 1-Series Sporthatch (F20) Discussion > Why is oil temperature and water temperature hidden from our cars?
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      04-21-2013, 09:36 PM   #23
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I just did a quick trip, in the process of which I plugged my ScanGauge into the OBD port. It picks up, among other data, coolant temp, intake temp, charge in volts, boost pressure, ignition advance/retard, throttle position, closed/open loop, load...and probably some other stuff. Plus, I think there's a firmware upgrade for my ScanGauge, so there may be more. But that's enough for me.
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      04-21-2013, 10:14 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ttimbo View Post
I just did a quick trip, in the process of which I plugged my ScanGauge into the OBD port. It picks up, among other data, coolant temp, intake temp, charge in volts, boost pressure, ignition advance/retard, throttle position, closed/open loop, load...and probably some other stuff. Plus, I think there's a firmware upgrade for my ScanGauge, so there may be more. But that's enough for me.
Serious? What a PITA.
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      04-21-2013, 11:15 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by mdt View Post
Serious? What a PITA.
Que?

That's a pretty good set of data, and I suspect if you add a BT OBD dongle, an app such as DashCommand may well report quite a number of additional parameters to your smartphone. My ScanGauge is at least 8 years old, so somewhat limited, I suspect.
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      04-22-2013, 12:32 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ttimbo View Post
Que?

That's a pretty good set of data, and I suspect if you add a BT OBD dongle, an app such as DashCommand may well report quite a number of additional parameters to your smartphone. My ScanGauge is at least 8 years old, so somewhat limited, I suspect.
I thought you were saying that was the process for finding the hidden menu. I gather it's not.

My old VR6 had an oil temp and a water temp visible on the dash at the press of a button. And my old MX5 had the data right there in the centre of the instrument cluster. In contrast, my current BMW allows me to configure the direction of the air-flow with scientific precision.
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      04-22-2013, 01:30 AM   #27
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No, Matt...BMW aren't going to let you see what's happening under the bonnet with any ease. You need to know the secret handshake! The hidden menu -- well, it's there, but hardly convenient.

But the good new is if you have a smartphone and compatible BT dongle (which you can buy -- Android compat -- for under $20, not sure about iPhone) you can display a lot of useful data on the M135i obtained via the OBD port. Much more than you'd get with the "extended" instrument panel.
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      04-22-2013, 01:54 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ttimbo View Post
I think we're saying the same thing, angel I guess the solution for those who understand vehicle metrics is to use one of those OBD dongles, and a smartphone. I haven't checked what gets reported via the BMW OBD, can anyone advise? I'll try my ScanGauge later today.
A lot of data is available, including water and oil temperature. I have had some issues trying to read engine RPM, though.
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      04-22-2013, 02:52 AM   #29
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I am just establishing a baseline for my water/oil temperature on my way to work while dropping off the kids. It turns out my temperatures never reaches 110 c (seems to be the limit or their happy temperature, I guess oil viscosity is determined at 100 c?)
Will this lower temp and short mileage hurt the car just wondering. When the girls are a little older I am just going to bike to work ha ha. All temp Celcius.

time coolant oil
07:30:00 35 27 road
07:33:00 55 46 road
07:34:00 62 50 road
07:36:00 68 57 road
07:37:00 75 62 traffic
07:39:00 79 68 traffic
07:41:00 83 72 traffic
07:45:00 99 85 road
07:48:00 102 93 road
07:52:00 103 100 road
(6 km)

Ambient 17c
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      04-22-2013, 02:57 AM   #30
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@westphone: The 116i is operating at much higher temps (at least here in Greece). With ambient temp of 17-20oC, the water temp (after 15') is between 100-110oC and the oil is between 105-112oC. If I press the car (spiritied drive) the coolant goes up to 115oC and the oil temp rises above 120oC...and sometime even reaches 125oC or 127oC!!
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      04-22-2013, 03:01 AM   #31
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Meanwhile another experiment performed driving my brother to the airport

time coolant oil
07:27:00 - - forgot to note
07:32:00 53 51 road
08:01:00 106 111 highway
08:13:00 104 111 road
08:37:00 105 115 maniac

Ambient 15

The last part was driving quickly with hard acceleration to 120 mph or so and proceeded to be hated on the road for 2 km or so. I thought I'd see some changes in temperatures but didn't. The last 5 km or so I drove slowly and coast alot expecting to see the temperatures drop, they didn't. The car seems to be kept at (similar to 08:13:00 104 111 road) when it reaches this temperatures.

I went home, park the car, shut off the engine, sat there for 5 minutes expecting to see changes in the temperatures. No drop, not one degree. The point of this whole thing I guess is finding out the car does things by its own rules, and there's nothing we can do about it (or at least looking at it without pressing whole buncha buttons)

I am just gonna trust the car for now until my next service, and I'll drill the heck outta the people there with questions I guess.
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      04-22-2013, 03:04 AM   #32
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Hello Fanis our results are somewhat similar when they reach their temperature.

The first part I was just worried because my morning travel is only 6 km, I guess I will have to move much further for the temperature in the car to come up yes
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      04-22-2013, 03:46 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by westphone View Post
The first part I was just worried because my morning travel is only 6 km, I guess I will have to move much further for the temperature in the car to come up yes
Yes, 6kms is a short distance (unless you are stuck in traffic and takes you 1 hour to cover this distance!!) for the fluids to reach optimum operational temperature.
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      04-22-2013, 12:29 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fanis View Post

Also, newer cars have much better cooling systems and also safety precautions and monitoring sensors, so it is almost impossible for a car to overheat (unless it has a problem). It is not like the old days. Today we do not even have to worry about the Turbo (although I do take care a bit), since it is cooled via a seperate electric water pump, even if the engine is not running.

Finally, you can always check the water and oil temps, via the hidden menu.
This is a very interesting piece of information, which takes my worries away as regards caring about the turbo. Thanks, Fanis!
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      04-23-2013, 01:09 AM   #35
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Originally Posted by Brenyaman View Post
This is a very interesting piece of information, which takes my worries away as regards caring about the turbo. Thanks, Fanis!
You are welcome. However (to put back ome of your worries!!), though the turbo is cooled, the ''problem'' with the oil remains, i.e. once you turn off the engine, no more oil is pumped to the turbo shaft and bearing. Now, new turbos have wheel bearings, so the need for oil in minimized. Still, if you have the time to either drive calmly for the last 5' or let the engine run on idle for 30'' or so, this is the best thing you can do. It is not imperative to do it everytime (as it used to be), but it is good practise.
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      04-23-2013, 03:39 AM   #36
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Thanks Fanis I'll drive around slowly before I get home.
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      04-23-2013, 11:06 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by westphone View Post
Will this lower temp and short mileage hurt the car just wondering.
The engine doesn't work with full power output until the water temp is higher than some degree (sorry I'm new to BMW, don't know the exact temp).
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      04-23-2013, 11:10 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fanis View Post
@westphone: The 116i is operating at much higher temps (at least here in Greece). With ambient temp of 17-20oC, the water temp (after 15') is between 100-110oC and the oil is between 105-112oC.
It could be normal. My dealer told me BMW cars that imported to Taiwan have thermostats with lower temp fitted to improve parts reliability since the weather and traffic here is really bad for European cars.
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      04-25-2013, 08:08 AM   #39
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BMW like most German makers now have fully computerised engines and use waterless coolant in their engines.
These new coolants can handle temps up to 190 degree C and do not expand like water so the manufacturers think that we no longer need a gauge.

I am old school, I like to know what is going on in the engine.

Unfortunately, New drivers are not taught to look and check all instruments, just speed and possibly fuel so they don think about the oil pressure or temp. Most would be horrified to see the temp running at 90+ degree C in the 'normal' range with the gauge going to 140 degree C
They expect the car's brain to look after all that stuff and just let them know with flashing lights, beeps or pop up messages that something is wrong and for the car's EMS to shut the engine down before it does any damage.

Whilst we would like to have the gauge, it is now becoming unnecessary with computers controlling everything in our cars with more bloody sensors.
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      04-25-2013, 09:16 AM   #40
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That is true. I reluctantly trust the engine electronics now as well. In the old days, there used to be a handle on the steering wheel where the driver could (and should) advance the ignition based on RPM and load. I guess the drivers back then were worried about leaving this important skill to the engine management....
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      04-25-2013, 08:12 PM   #41
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I'm still getting used to the idea of not having an oil dipstick to check the oil level and quality.
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      04-26-2013, 01:14 AM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blue 335i View Post
I'm still getting used to the idea of not having an oil dipstick to check the oil level and quality.
The N13B16 (114i, 116i, 118i) engine still has the dipstick.
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      04-26-2013, 05:04 AM   #43
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You'll be next!!
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      06-09-2013, 06:11 AM   #44
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Hi guys! My first time here... just got 1 week ago a F20 118. I like all info to be shown on a display. I did found the hidden menu... Now, how we display that on the main screen?? permanently if we like! ty
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