[mtlcruisin]

Anyone ever get that error message? Battery was discharged while your car was off. I restarted the car after driving to work and it was gone, just curious what it meant, I had a yellow error message the whole way.

[Santa69]

I got it also today. Had a USB drive plugged in when i turned the car off. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. Gone now.

[mtlcruisin]

Originally Posted by Santa69

I got it also today. Had a USB drive plugged in when i turned the car off. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. Gone now.

I leave my USB always plugged in, are we not allowed to? Very strange..

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by mtlbrad

I leave my USB always plugged in, are we not allowed to? Very strange..

Haven't actually checked it, but since the USB drive is connected to and powered by the entertainment system, it's probably powered off when the entertainment system is off. Even if you leave the car without hitting the start/stop button twice. The system powers down when the car is locked or times out in 5 to 15 minutes.

However, a typical 8 GB flash drive will draw 400 mA from a 5V. USB socket. That will completely discharge the X3's battery in 175 hours (70 AH/0.4A) or less if the battery is not fully charged. That's if, and only if, the USB socket remains powered when the audio system is off which is very unlikely.

[Radioactive]

Center console is continuously hot.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

Center console is continuously hot.

Sorry, beg to differ. At least on my 35i, the USB 5V. power is actually switched off. I attached a 2GB flash drive and a digital meter to a USB extension cable and plugged it into the center console socket. 10 minutes later the socket switched off. Conditions were: All doors closed, and no key remote in the car.

As soon as a door was opened, the USB port regained power (without touching the Start/Stop button at all.

This means that leaving a USB Flash drive in the console socket will not drain the battery.

Interestingly, the 12V. accessory socket (in the center console arm rest) was not switched off (at least for the 30 minutes I waited) It retained power, even with the rest of the car shut down.

The current version of the X3 Owners Manual has no mention of the various power shut-down conditions for the various power outlets and powered connectors on the car. Since BMW feels it to be necessary to control the use of these sources, it would be nice if they at least mentioned what was going to happen.

[Radioactive]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Sorry, beg to differ. At least on my 35i, the USB 5V. power is actually switched off. I attached a 2GB flash drive and a digital meter to a USB extension cable and plugged it into the center console socket. 10 minutes later the socket switched off. Conditions were: All doors closed, and no key remote in the car.

As soon as a door was opened, the USB port regained power (without touching the Start/Stop button at all.

This means that leaving a USB Flash drive in the console socket will not drain the battery.

Interestingly, the 12V. accessory socket (in the center console arm rest) was not switched off (at least for the 30 minutes I waited) It retained power, even with the rest of the car shut down.

The current version of the X3 Owners Manual has no mention of the various power shut-down conditions for the various power outlets and powered connectors on the car. Since BMW feels it to be necessary to control the use of these sources, it would be nice if they at least mentioned what was going to happen.

You're right, I stand corrected. A sensor in the door must signal to power up. I allow the door to stay closed after I connected a HD with indicator light. Within a couple of minutes the light went out.

These boys may have a slow trickle.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

You're right, I stand corrected. A sensor in the door must signal to power up. I allow the door to stay closed after I connected a HD with indicator light. Within a couple of minutes the light went out.

These boys may have a slow trickle.

Yea, even with the key remote absent, opening a door puts the system in a mode that (at first) does not power up the center display screen, but does allow the radio to run ("radio standby" mode?) as well as the USB slot. If you do turn on the radio, the center screen illuminates.

Seems like BMW is trying to protect users from inadvertently running down the battery, without interfering too much with reasonable use of the accessories.

The sad part is the we have to learn about these "features" by “trial-and-error” experimentation, rather than just looking it up in the manual.
Thank goodness that we have access to this forum to share knowledge.

[Radioactive]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

The sad part is the we have to learn about these "features" by “trial-and-error” experimentation, rather than just looking it up in the manual.
Thank goodness that we have access to this forum to share knowledge.

It's a two edge sword for me. Coming from a puzzle solving science background I like the puzzle. But on the other hand document, document, and document!
I don't like it when manufactures dumb down the manuals. I want it there, if I decide to read it.

A BIG +1:Thank goodness that we have access to this forum to share knowledge.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

It's a two edge sword for me. Coming from a puzzle solving science background I like the puzzle. But on the other hand document, document, and document!
I don't like it when manufactures dumb down the manuals. I want it there, if I decide to read it.

A BIG +1:Thank goodness that we have access to this forum to share knowledge.

Same background, same philosophy.

[Bill S]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

It's a two edge sword for me. Coming from a puzzle solving science background I like the puzzle. But on the other hand document, document, and document!
I don't like it when manufactures dumb down the manuals. I want it there, if I decide to read it.

A BIG +1:Thank goodness that we have access to this forum to share knowledge.

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Same background, same philosophy.

Good to know that there is still a few of us about

[509trooper]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

It's a two edge sword for me. Coming from a puzzle solving science background I like the puzzle. But on the other hand document, document, and document!
I don't like it when manufactures dumb down the manuals. I want it there, if I decide to read it.

A BIG +1:Thank goodness that we have access to this forum to share knowledge.

Along the same lines, I come from a software development background, and I constantly look at how users interact with a device and ask what if the user does... That being said, I wonder what would happen if the user selected the P button on the stick shift. Seems like it would be awfully easy to accidentally press it while manual shifting.

[Radioactive]

Originally Posted by 509trooper

That being said, I wonder what would happen if the user selected the P button on the stick shift. Seems like it would be awfully easy to accidentally press it while manual shifting.

I have a long uphill driveway and I use M1 & M2. When I go to reverse I'm locked out until I put it "automatic".

If Lotus 7's transfer case goes out again I think we should nominate him to give this a try.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

I have a long uphill driveway and I use M1 & M2. When I go to reverse I'm locked out until I put it "automatic".

If Lotus 7's transfer case goes out again I think we should nominate him to give this a try.

Thanks for the "nomination", but I respectfully decline.

However, I'd expect that the "brilliant" German engineers and software designers behind this vehicle have incorporated a speed lockout that would prevent engaging "Park" if there is any significant motion forward, and hopefully in reverse.

But, then again, a "brilliant" engineer would never think anyone would try to select "Park" while moving so might just not think to put in the few lines of code needed for an interlock function.

As it is, if you try to engage reverse without pressing the side interlock button, you get a wrist-slap nanny warning on the display screen and the obnoxious warning chime. Who knows what would happen if you tried to hit "Park" at 70 mph? Probably a visit from a BMW legal rep. to recall the car since you're not worthy of driving one.