[markt2727]

For the past month I haven't been able to drive my new 330i given the state of the world (I still only have 150 miles on it). Here in Los Angeles we've been encouraged to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

To preserve the battery, and perhaps other engine systems, should I at least let it run on idle in my garage? And if so, for how long and how often? Or, do I need to actually drive it somewhere, and again, for how long and how often?

[EBS0712]

Suggest you purchase a "Battery Tender". It costs about $25 on Amazon. Mine works great and it will not overcharge the battery.

[markt2727]

Originally Posted by EBS0712

Suggest you purchase a "Battery Tender". It costs about $25 on Amazon. Mine works great and it will not overcharge the battery.

Ahh, yes, if I didn't live in an apartment complex with no available outlet to plug into I'd definitely do that. Any other guidance would be appreciated!

[Seaford]

Mine showed a 'low battery' warning after sitting for just a few days but not since. I am only using it sporadically for short distances and it has been fine for the last three weeks or so. I may be wrong, but I think you will get a message in the Connected app if the battery is getting low assuming you can connect to the car from your apartment.

Not sure about current equipment. in the good old days when you could actually tinker with stuff an engine would need to run over 2000 rpm to start charging the battery.

[Tam the Bam]

Originally Posted by Andybird

Mine showed a 'low battery' warning after sitting for just a few days but not since. I am only using it sporadically for short distances and it has been fine for the last three weeks or so. I may be wrong, but I think you will get a message in the Connected app if the battery is getting low assuming you can connect to the car from your apartment.

Not sure about current equipment. in the good old days when you could actually tinker with stuff an engine would need to run over 2000 rpm to start charging the battery.

Looks like the OP’s only option will be to run it to maintain the battery.

My car has just shown “extremely low battery in iDrive screen” due to little running because of lockdown. Yesterday I ordered a charger (one that does gsm batteries) as my current battery charger isn’t suitable for cars with stop/start functionality.

[aguycalleddb]

Originally Posted by Tam the Bam

My car has just shown "extremely low battery in iDrive screen" due to little running because of lockdown. Yesterday I ordered a charger (one that does gsm batteries) as my current battery charger isn't suitable for cars with stop/start functionality.

When was the last time you ran it mate? I've only used mine once in three weeks and it seems to be ok but I'm still debating buying a charger if the lockdown goes on for much longer

[Tam the Bam]

Originally Posted by aguycalleddb

When was the last time you ran it mate? I've only used mine once in three weeks and it seems to be ok but I'm still debating buying a charger if the lockdown goes on for much longer

Just been once a week for last three weeks to supermarket and back <6 miles. I think the battery was down anyway due to winter (lights, heating etc.) I had noticed my Start/Stop wasn’t always working as it should which is a sign of low battery.

Charger should arrive by next Monday..... we’ll see how that goes....

[aguycalleddb]

Originally Posted by Tam the Bam

Just been once a week for last three weeks to supermarket and back <6 miles. I think the battery was down anyway due to winter (lights, heating etc.) I had noticed my Start/Stop wasn’t always working as it should which is a sign of low battery.

Charger should arrive by next Monday..... we’ll see how that goes....

I did a 20min run to the office the other day and might have to call in again this week, hopefully that should keep the battery topped up a little

[Seaford]

Originally Posted by Andybird

Mine showed a 'low battery' warning after sitting for just a few days but not since. I am only using it sporadically for short distances and it has been fine for the last three weeks or so. I may be wrong, but I think you will get a message in the Connected app if the battery is getting low assuming you can connect to the car from your apartment.

Not sure about current equipment. in the good old days when you could actually tinker with stuff an engine would need to run over 2000 rpm to start charging the battery.

Sod's law strikes !! - I got the 'low battery' warning this morning when I went out to deliver prescriptions - took it for no more than a ('spirited') five mile run and all is well again.

[AlexInChicago]

If you have to use a battery tender instead of driving, you could also run the engine a few minutes every two weeks to keep fresher gas in the fuel system. Keeping the gas tank full also helps protect your fuel system.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Idling a cold engine is not good. It's actually far better for the engine to warm up as quickly as possible and spend as little time with cold oil. The fact that your car uses synthetic oil makes that a little less of concern, but still something you should be mindful of. Idling a cold engine for a long time will advance engine wear. Safest thing to do is drive it around for at least 5 minutes and then park it (with the engine left on) if you don't want to go for a high speed 30 minute drive.

The alternator doesn't output significant current until it's past about 2000rpm. If you're just idling at <700rpm, you're not even feeding much current into the battery.

Check out this graph of alternator output. Below 1000rpm, there is very little current being delivered.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by markt2727

For the past month I haven't been able to drive my new 330i given the state of the world (I still only have 150 miles on it). Here in Los Angeles we've been encouraged to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

To preserve the battery, and perhaps other engine systems, should I at least let it run on idle in my garage? And if so, for how long and how often? Or, do I need to actually drive it somewhere, and again, for how long and how often?

The battery tender is the best answer but apparently won't work for you. If you are allowed to do it, I would rather do a road trip than idling. I don't think that idling is especially good for the car.