[24448640]

Had my 2018 X1 block heater plugged in for at least 48 hours during the cold period. Started the car and it started well first time. Drive it for about 45 minutes, engine heated up to OK had fan on high for heat, heated steering wheel on, both front heated seats on for 75% of the time knowing I need to give the battery some time to charge but sadly when I turned the engine off warning popped up 'battery discharged restart engine' which I did - drive again for 25 minutes with nothing on but heater fan. On turning off I got same warning - is the battery on its way out? I'll know more tomorrow no doubt. Any polar bears had the same issues driving and starting in extreme cold temperatures??
Thanks
John

[wcs2229]

I had same symptoms the previous winter (only -10C) and had to replace the battery. It was fine during warmer months, but did not want to risk getting stuck.

[24448640]

I'm wondering if it'll start in the morning!?!? Battery replacement looks like a nightmare too? What will the shop bill me - local not BMW??

[mDrive2]

Have you thought about using a car charger? I use mine from time to time.

[Millie]

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/t...-0113116p.html

I've been using one of these for three winters now and I don't have any battery issues (still on original battery). Keeping the battery from freezing is more critical than keeping the coolant warm. I didn't even know our X1s came with a block heater, I never looked for a cord lol.

Installing a blanket now would be impossible in these temperatures, you'll break off plastic trim for sure in this cold unless you have a garage. The battery is buried under the cowling and it's not very easy access. In the meantime pick up a battery trickle charger and leave it hooked up overnight, it should help reduce battery drain in the cold. I use one in my other vehicle in these temperatures and it works well.

[24448640]

Thanks Millie,
Mine came (used) with the block heater, probably after market but professionally done. My car parks outside so suffers all the weather.
I will look into a trickle charger.
John

[24448640]

Howdy
Only -3c engine started first time, drove around till it was warm with nothing turned on other than low fan and the radio. After 20 minutes parked up back home switched engine off and to my relief no warning message! Optimistic about the battery life being ok.
John

[Xorbitman]

Isn't the battery covered in the 4 year bumper to bumper warranty and the 4 year free maintenance?

[Millie]

Originally Posted by 24448640

Howdy
Only -3c engine started first time, drove around till it was warm with nothing turned on other than low fan and the radio. After 20 minutes parked up back home switched engine off and to my relief no warning message! Optimistic about the battery life being ok.
John

I would still pick up a battery maintainer of some sort.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/n...1995p.html#srp

[24448640]

Howdy,
Battery may be covered but right now it seems to be fine.
I will look into something for the battery, thanks Millie.
(winter ain't over).
John

[24448640]

Howdy
Just returned from BMW Calgary and found out my plug in block heater is actually a plug in battery trickle charger made by DEFA.
The warning 'battery discharged restart engine' is fairly common in areas where -25 to -30 is common for a few weeks. It was brought on because I put on 2 heated seats, steering wheel and fan on high quickly after starting and only driving for 20 minutes. Lesson learnt - don't overload for short journeys in absolutely Baltic conditions.

[Xorbitman]

If you get the "battery discharge" message because of extreme cold weather, you need to drive your Bimmer at least 45 minutes to 1 hour to recharge the battery. It should be back to normal. Make sure to drive with the as little electric usage like the fan on high or the heat seat warmers on high, rear defog, fog lights, defoggers...

[24448640]

Thanks

[wcs2229]

I just got the "Battery discharged Restart engine" message yesterday when it was -17C in Toronto. I drove around for 60-70Km over 3 trips and the message went away.

Just for good measure, I drove around today and the message did not come up. I'll make sure to drive more when the temperature drops below -10C.

[24448640]

Howdy
I spoke with a BMW service advisor who said I should get used to that message during our harsh winters. He did say 'just make sure you drive it, it loves being driven hard'. As I've previously commented the engine block heater I thought I had is in fact a battery trickle charger made by DEFA. I plug it in if it drops below-15.
John