02-16-2020, 08:34 AM | #1 |
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330e: use ICE only a few kms every month, will that damage the engine?
Hello,
I read some comments about plugin hybrid and they made me wonder about the ICE status if only electric is used. I’m able to do my daily conmute on electric only so after 1.5 months i see i have just done 2 trips where I had to use gas for a few kilometers. My gas tank is almost full. Do you think the combustion engine might suffer in the future if it has very little seldom usage? I was thinking of making like 1-2 kms daily on sport with some speeding so the engine turned on and got some RPMs, it’s telling me it’s like 0.2 l/100km so no real waste but a least the engine turns on for a while everyday. Your thoughts? Thanks! |
02-16-2020, 10:24 AM | #3 | |
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If you want to use the engine once in a while, I would make sure you drive it with the ICE for at least 15 mins a time, and use low revs until it's had time for the oil to warm up. Last edited by mofomat; 02-18-2020 at 03:44 AM.. |
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02-17-2020, 03:43 AM | #4 | |
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As an aside, maybe worth thinking about running the petrol tank down to say quarter full - a full tank is a lot of weight to lug around and partially negates the benefit of using electric. |
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02-17-2020, 04:09 AM | #5 |
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Running an ICE for just a couple of miles and working it when cold, goes against my engineering experience.
It is a major stumbling block to me getting a hybrid. Much of my use could be on EV, but would have to top up with the ICE, possibly for a couple of miles or so each trip. I believe an engine needs to be warmed up, have decent heat soak, to have longevity. I would say you need 10 miles or more to get the engine to decent heat in average UK winter temperatures. Even more in freezing conditions. I don't like using my current car for less than 12 miles at a time, simply for getting the engine hot. Stale fuel is another concern. Depends how sealed the BMW fuel system is. Worth noting what the issues can be. Link to a BP document. https://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp-co...icle-tanks.pdf |
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02-17-2020, 04:11 AM | #6 | |
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The tank in a 330e is 40 litres. To run it a quarter full you're saving the weight of 30 litres of fuel, which at 15 degrees temp ambient is 22.5kg. Deduct this from the EU1 weight of the 330e, which is 1,815kg, and you're reducing the weight by 1.2%. Hardly worth worrying about, especially when you need to somewhere unexpectedly in a hurry, and you have to fill the tank first. |
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02-17-2020, 01:45 PM | #7 |
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Thank you guys. But what would be then the recommended use for someone (like me) that can go fully electric every day? As commented, my commute of 35km at 120km/h can be covered fully electric. Should I make one trip once a week on gas? It seems quite a waste of gas and money...
Thanks! PS: my 330e is also a company lease, so will change it in five years. So long time small degradation of the ICE is not a real big issue, but i like to take care of my cars Last edited by rf3000; 02-17-2020 at 02:13 PM.. |
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02-18-2020, 03:43 AM | #8 |
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This is the important thing. It's a lease so I wouldn't worry about it. I like to take care of my cars too, and I plan to get a 330e Touring when it's launched, on lease, and I won't be worrying about it at all.
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02-18-2020, 11:06 AM | #9 | |
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02-18-2020, 03:57 PM | #10 | ||
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02-18-2020, 05:58 PM | #11 | |
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I've been looking to see if the engine coolant is partially heated during preconditioning. Not yet found any direct comment, although the hardware is there to do so. What would be interesting to know, what is the temperature of the oil when you first start off? In the normal ICE setup oil/coolant would be at ambient temperature. Is your coolant/oil already at a higher temperature? |
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02-19-2020, 12:16 AM | #12 |
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Not an ‘e’ but my 330i is by far the quickest car i have ever had to warm up. Normally within a couple of miles. If i sit on the drive with frost covering the windows I am able to drive away after a few minutes defrosted only by heating and ventilation. Mind you do need the heated seats and wheel when off to the gym early on such days in shorts, the leather is definitely cold!
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02-19-2020, 07:18 AM | #13 | |
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In my humble opinion..... |
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02-19-2020, 09:29 AM | #14 | |
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02-19-2020, 11:18 AM | #15 | |
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02-19-2020, 11:41 AM | #16 | |
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My N55 engine takes a long time to warm up, cabin as well, as there is not any auxiliary heating in my petrol model. Was used to the electric element in the diesel, which helped the cabin and also masked how slow the diesel engine was to heat up. This morning at 2°C, my car took 6 miles, (10 minutes of easy driving) for the oil temperature to come off the stop at 70°C. At 10 miles of 50 - 60mph, still only ~80°C. Far too much airflow around the engine, when the ambient temperatures are low. |
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02-19-2020, 06:28 PM | #17 | ||
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No it's on zero when I start up the ice, now I'm only looking at the oil temperature through the sport displays. Water temperature is a little bit quicker but not by much |
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02-20-2020, 04:48 AM | #18 |
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Not sure what's ridiculous. Saying 1.2% is an insignificant weight saving, or ACTUALLY calculating the weight difference instead of guessing 30 litres of fuel is "a lot of weight to lug around"?
Last edited by mofomat; 02-20-2020 at 11:51 AM.. |
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02-20-2020, 02:28 PM | #19 | |
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If your original response had been less patronising in it's tone I wouldn't have bothered responding. |
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02-21-2020, 01:45 AM | #20 | ||
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No I don't "miss the point". You described the weight difference of a full tank compared to a quarter full tank as "a LOT of weight to LUG around". So rather than guess, I thought why not work it out exactly? It turns out it makes a difference of 1.2%, which although it does make a small difference, it could hardly be described as "a LOT", which is how YOU described it. It's basically the difference between having a male passenger or a female passenger.
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And no, the impact of a 50% weight difference is huge. 1.2% virtually zero. And the hypothetical situation of 50% is irrelevant anyway as the weight difference isn't that! Quote:
There was nothing patronising in my tone whatsoever, and if any has been read into it then that's purely down to your own insecurities. You replied, however, with a condescending tone by saying my post was "ridiculous". Had you replied and said "oh, I suppose when you work it out it's not that big of a difference really", nobody would have thought less of you. But in this current climate where nobody can be seen to lose face, you've doubled down and picked a fight, which has left you looking a bit silly. |
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02-21-2020, 09:23 AM | #21 | |
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Have a nice life. Bye bye. Last edited by Seaford; 02-21-2020 at 09:56 AM.. |
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