[bavarianboar]

I am on vacation and my car is parked in the car port. It has been 3 weeks since I left, so I asked my housemate to start the car and let it run for a bit (5-10 mins max), so the battery would not die by the time I get back into my car next time.

He let the engine run for 25 minutes. He drives an old Honda Civic and I would not let him drive my car, and he is careful not to do that either (to the best of my knowledge).

My E90 has Anti theft alarm which I thought would consume battery to some extent, while running all the time.

I was initially not anticipating a long extended vacation (the duration kind of out of my control at the moment), so I did not disconnect the battery. I left the gas tank full with upto 10% ethanol mix of fuel from 76.

Any insights? What would this super long idling do to the car?

EDIT: The car has 1570 miles on the ODO
Thanks guys.

[Express]

you did more harm than good letting it idle at all.

[Forcefed3]

Not a big deal.

[benzo23]

Originally Posted by bavarianboar

He drives an old Honda Civic and I would not let him drive my car

You sound like an asshole. I hope your shit gets key'd and your "housemate" rags on the car while your gone.

[bluefly]

I wouldn't call you an asshole, but a bit more trust towards a roommate doing you a favor wouldn't be a bad new year's resolution to make?

Just busting your chop... The 30 minutes of idling is no big deal. But also not needed. A car can sit for several months before the battery might discharge enough to not start the car. And even then, a boost to start it is no big deal to arrange from your friend's Civic.

If gone for 4 months I would ask your roommate to disconnect the battery and even remove it from the trunk (bring it indoors and place on a tricklecharger ideally).

Basically, you are on vacation... Don't sweat it.

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by benzo23

You sound like an asshole. I hope your shit gets key'd and your "housemate" rags on the car while your gone.

Sure, thank you for the compliment.

If you have a house mate whose 11 year old car's engine hood is all rusted from outside and the car has never been vacuumed from the inside for 3 years, with all the dirt piling inside and sticky thing on the manual transmission gear shift knob, you would not say so.

Some people are wonderful but they just don't like cars or are not good at keeping their things proper.

Thanks for stopping by and spitting out the divine words in the this beautiful decade.

[Forcefed3]

Originally Posted by benzo23

You sound like an asshole. I hope your shit gets key'd and your "housemate" rags on the car while your gone.

boo hoo

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by bluefly

I wouldn't call you an asshole, but a bit more trust towards a roommate doing you a favor wouldn't be a bad new year's resolution to make?

Just busting your chop... The 30 minutes of idling is no big deal. But also not needed. A car can sit for several months before the battery might discharge enough to not start the car. And even then, a boost to start it is no big deal to arrange from your friend's Civic.

If gone for 4 months I would ask your roommate to disconnect the battery and even remove it from the trunk (bring it indoors and place on a tricklecharger ideally).

Basically, you are on vacation... Don't sweat it.

Thanks for the advice. I am a great people's person and I dont distrust people. If I know someone for 2-3 years, I know what I can trust them with and what not. This guy is my housemate, why would I live with him if I never trusted him?

Car is a different story, as he is pathetic with taking care and keeping cars properly (he says himself all the time). Even if tell him, he is most likely to refuse that he wont take the car out for a spin for a 20-30 mile ride. And if you read between the lines you would know, someone who knows cars won't keep the car running idle for 25 minutes, perhaps I am stupid about asking this thing in the first place, but oh well, 10 minutes got translated to 25 minutes. He went an extra mile

And right here on this forum I have seen people who would not even let their family members drive their cars.

Great advice about removing the battery though, I greatly appreciate it! I will also work on the new year's resolution

Flame on, if that's how we are starting the new year

[ENINTY]

You should search on storage and find many posts on the subject. Maybe we should post a sticky on the subject...

It's nice to be in a situation that you don't know how long you will be on VACATION (I'm jealous). But considering your car seems to be new based on the mileage, the battery is strong enough to keep your car parked for at least a month. The things to know about batteries are the worst thing to do is start the car and let it idle for a period of time. The battery actually does not regain the amount of charge lost by starting the engine. So if you do this repeatedly without an extended drive, you will shorten the life of the battery, rather than help it. The best thing to do is just let the car sit. If you are on an extended cycle of inactivity the next best thing is to get a battery float charger (not a trickle charger), such as a Deltran Battery Tender, and connect it to the under-hood battery terminals with the Battery Tender's clip-leads. The Battery Tender will keep the battery fresh without overcharging it.

BTW, I agree with your assessment of your RM. Sounds like a squid to me (when it comes to cars at least).

[Nalod]

Originally Posted by bavarianboar

I am on vacation and my car is parked in the car port. It has been 3 weeks since I left, so I asked my housemate to start the car and let it run for a bit (5-10 mins max), so the battery would not die by the time I get back into my car next time.

He let the engine run for 25 minutes. He drives an old Honda Civic and I would not let him drive my car, and he is careful not to do that either (to the best of my knowledge).

My E90 has Anti theft alarm which I thought would consume battery to some extent, while running all the time.

I was initially not anticipating a long extended vacation (the duration kind of out of my control at the moment), so I did not disconnect the battery. I left the gas tank full with upto 10% ethanol mix of fuel from 76.

Any insights? What would this super long idling do to the car?

EDIT: The car has 1570 miles on the ODO
Thanks guys.

Maybe drive a Civic yourself and get your own place!

Idle for that long is no worry. Its not like dropping the toothbrush in the toliet. Your worrying about this is more wear and tear.

[ChasVS]

Originally Posted by gbreeE90

boo hoo

[jonni44]

Originally Posted by bavarianboar

He drives an old Honda Civic and I would not let him drive my car, and he is careful not to do that either (to the best of my knowledge).

I was in a similar situation my friend, your car will be fine.

My roommates not allowed to drive my car either but thats because my insurance CLEARLY states that I am the only person who is allowed to drive it. So for me its not an ass hole move, its the law.

[angasreid]

Why do E90 forum posts turn into cultural/life lessons? Or is that in essence the purpose of a public forum?

[Jonny550]

Originally Posted by angasreid

Why do E90 forum posts turn into cultural/life lessons? Or is that in essence the purpose of a public forum?

It's just the way it is. People try to teach grammar,life lessons etc. Here


Shit i think we could open a school with all the scholars here.

[J02 335i]

Originally Posted by Jon335iFL

It's just the way it is. People try to teach grammar,life lessons etc. Here


Shit i think we could open a school with all the scholars here.

Best post of 2011...so far

[AoS810]

I remember a thread a while back where someone lent their car to their girlfriend/wife for work, and they left it idling for hours.. could try to find the thread and see if the guy reported back on any damage!

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by bavarianboar

He let the engine run for 25 minutes.

Any insights? What would this super long idling do to the car?

25 minutes, super long? You obviously have not been stuck in NYC traffic.

[///M3NACE]

haha at all the comments. You have nothing to worry about and even if you do itll be under warranty so why would u even worry. i left my car sit without disconnecting my battery for 4 months ( totally forgot before i left) and it started up right away. Best thing to do is disconnect and drive before for 10 min

[Coolieman1220]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

25 minutes, super long? You obviously have not been stuck in NYC traffic.

++++ a zillion million gagillion!!! INFINITY!!!

[gunsekun]

worst thing can happen to your car is run out of battery... just jump it from your roomy's civic

[John 070]

My car gave me the yellow battery icon when it was 19F in Dec. and I had been talking on the bluetooth for 35 min. Thought I needed a new battery, SA told me should be 5-6 years before replacement so I left it. I just let the car sit from the Thu. before XMAS and drove it for the first time today to work. No incidents. I think people should not worry so much about the battery. When it fails someday, either DIY, or pay the dealership $300-$500. But there's no need to constantly worry. Or get a tender for $47 and keep it plugged in. my .02 When my car was new it sat 3-4 wks. at a time and always started on the first try.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

haha at all the comments. You have nothing to worry about and even if you do itll be under warranty so why would u even worry. i left my car sit without disconnecting my battery for 4 months ( totally forgot before i left) and it started up right away. Best thing to do is disconnect and drive before for 10 min

I've seen at least two posts to the contrary, but as a general rule, BMW will NOT replace the battery under warranty. They will test the battery and deem that it's fine until 48 mos. and 1 day, at which time they will be more than happy to replace it.