[krypttic]

Does the 50e have remote start? I see that it's included on the Premium Package for the 40i, but the 50e doesn't say the same in the included options.

[tdlutz24]

There is not. It uses the pre-conditioning function, but no remote start per se.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by krypttic

Does the 50e have remote start? I see that it's included on the Premium Package for the 40i, but the 50e doesn't say the same in the included options.

the term 'Remote Start' has become synonymous with climatizing the cabin (preheat or precool before entering the vehicle). on the 45e/50e, you accomplish this by 'preconditioning'** which uses the HV battery. it can be scheduled on the app or iDrive or activated when needed via the following methods:
1) MyBMW app (Android, iPhone, Apple Watch)
2) MyBMW skill (Amazon Alexa or Echo devices)
3) iDrive (i often use this when running a quick errand)

**optimizes electric range if plugged in

advantages over traditional Remote Start include:
1) no idling engine (which is illegal in some countries)
2) can be done in enclosed spaces (no fear of CO poisoning)
3) runs for 30 mins vs RS's 15 min
4) quieter than an idling engine

[915M]

What happen if there is no enough battery?
Does it turn on the engine? or just stop preconditioning?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by 915M

What happen if there is no enough battery?
Does it turn on the engine? or just stop preconditioning?

It does not turn the engine on, it stops.

[krypttic]

I see. I guess I'll need to make sure the battery always has a charge if I want to precondition then. Thanks, all!

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by krypttic

I see. I guess I'll need to make sure the battery always has a charge if I want to precondition then. Thanks, all!

Prior to the LCI there was battery control which you could set to keep a % of charge in it for preconditioning but I think I read they got rid of that in the LCI.

[FastMarkA]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Prior to the LCI there was battery control which you could set to keep a % of charge in it for preconditioning but I think I read they got rid of that in the LCI.

I think what's different is the Battery Hold feature no longer charges (like it does pre-LCI).

So now, you need to set battery hold when there is charge and it will stay at the set level. But it won't add battery charge any longer, which is unfortunate.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by FastMarkA

I think what's different is the Battery Hold feature no longer charges (like it does pre-LCI).

So now, you need to set battery hold when there is charge and it will stay at the set level. But it won't add battery charge any longer, which is unfortunate.

the function’s name was changed to account for the function change.
• BATTERY CONTROL: pre-LCI charges the battery to a target level (30-100%) and holds it there
• BATTERY HOLD: LCI holds the current battery level at the time of activation

[915M]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

the function’s name was changed to account for the function change.
• BATTERY CONTROL: pre-LCI charges the battery to a target level and holds it there
• BATTERY HOLD: LCI holds the current battery level at the time of activation

I thought Battery hold still increase the battery level. It just does not actively use ICE to charge the battery.
Please correct me I am wrong.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by 915M

I thought Battery hold still increase the battery level. It just does not actively use ICE to charge the battery.
Please correct me I am wrong.

I would think it would have to use both regen and ICE if needed to hold the level. It seems like the difference he is referring to is that in the pre-LCI you can choose the specific percentage that is held but in the LCI it uses the percentage at time of activation. I'm sure nZtiZia will correct/supplement if needed.

[FastMarkA]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

It seems like the difference he is referring to is that in the pre-LCI you can choose the specific percentage that is held but in the LCI it uses the percentage at time of activation.

Bingo!

In my 45e, if the battery is at 30% and I set it to 80%, the ICE will charge the battery to 80% if it has enough time. Of course, there's a MPG penalty, but to that I say...my car, my choice.

In the 50e (and I think iDrive 8 in general), if the battery is at 30% and one hits battery hold, it will maintain 30%...but it won't get you up to 80% if desired.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by 915M

I thought Battery hold still increase the battery level. It just does not actively use ICE to charge the battery.
Please correct me I am wrong.

BATTERY HOLD on the 50e isn’t the same as BATTERY CONTROL on the 45e. specifically, the functions are different, but the technology behind them are the same.

on the 50e, the vehicle holds whatever charge level the battery is at the time BATTERY HOLD is activated. for example, if the battery level is at 50% when activated, the vehicle uses regeneration/ICE** to keep it at 50%. if it was at 30% when activated, it’ll hold at 30%. it does not increase it above or even go below that level.

on the 45e, we can choose the battery level we want between 30-100%. using the same 50% level example, the vehicle charges it to 50% if the battery level is lower than 50% at the time BATTERY CONTROL is activated, or if the battery level is higher than 50%, the vehicle lets the battery drain until it reaches 50%. once the target level is reached, the vehicle holds that charge level.

**regeneration alone isn’t enough to consistently hold the battery level on the 50e which still uses the ICE the same way as the 45e by using the electric motor as a generator, but it just maintains the level, not increases the charge above it.

[DaveDBD]

The battery hold just prevents battery usage. It also is a separate mode that is not usable with the other modes. Sport mode will charge the battery 2 to 5% based on traffic speed changes. In Sport mode the engine never shutsoff unlike the 45e.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by DaveDBD

The battery hold just prevents battery usage. It also is a separate mode that is not usable with the other modes. Sport mode will charge the battery 2 to 5% based on traffic speed changes. In Sport mode the engine never shutsoff unlike the 45e.

the HV battery is always in use. its use can’t be prevented when in BATTERY HOLD.
• the vehicle switches between the ICE and electric drivetrain if the situation avails. (the threshold to stay in electric is low such that when exceeding 5-10% power, the ICE kicks in, thus in most instances, the ICE is the main drivetrain.)
• eAssist is an integrated feature of the hybrid drivetrain that always assists the ICE.
• the HV battery provides power to many electronic components in the vehicle continuously through the DC-DC converter.

[DaveDBD]

OMG I am sorry for being imprecise.

Yes the battery is always used.

But without battery hold its charge decreases.

Battery hold prevents any usage from decreasing state of charge.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by DaveDBD

OMG I am sorry for being imprecise.

Yes the battery is always used.

But without battery hold its charge decreases.

Battery hold prevents any usage from decreaing state of charge.

IMO that’s perfectly stated I might steal it!

[deep_420]

Outside of using the Battery Hold for pre-conditioning purposes, are there any other use cases where battery hold can/should be used?

[FastMarkA]

Originally Posted by deep_420

Outside of using the Battery Hold for pre-conditioning purposes, are there any other use cases where battery hold can/should be used?

This may be a totally senseless case, but sometimes if I'll need to overnight somewhere and I know there isn't a charger available, I do like to keep 7-9 miles of battery range, so I'll flip it on then.

I don't know why I like to do that, but I just do.

Or if you like to sneak up on pedestrians, it's best done with the battery not ICE.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by deep_420

Outside of using the Battery Hold for pre-conditioning purposes, are there any other use cases where battery hold can/should be used?

Battery Control (now Battery Hold) was designed to reserve battery power for electric-only driving in mandated eZones in the EU. failure to do so landed a hefty fine.

anticipation of preconditioning wasn’t the main reason but came about for U.S. owners since we didn’t have eZones when the 45e was released (now we do in three California cities)

[DaveDBD]

Originally Posted by deep_420

Outside of using the Battery Hold for pre-conditioning purposes, are there any other use cases where battery hold can/should be used?

After 800 miles, I now use Battery Hold for nearly all driving. It is kinda like Hybrid mode but keeps battery charged. It switches between electric amd ICE, and shuts off engine when stopped - usually. I haven’t charged and still have 37 miles range.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by DaveDBD

After 800 miles, I now use Battery Hold for nearly all driving. It is kinda like Hybrid mode but keeps battery charged. It switches between electric amd ICE, and shuts off engine when stopped - usually. I haven’t charged and still have 37 miles range.

interesting. so you pretty much activate BH early in the trip when it’s nearly/fully charged? we [45 owners] noticed activating Battery Control early to maintain a charge wasn’t as much of a hit on fuel efficiency versus charging up to a target charge level.

this is a perfect example of how BMW actually listened to our feedback when changing the logic from Battery Control on the 45e to Battery Hold on the 50e, but I still think taking the ‘Control’ part away from users was a mistake.jad03060