[John 070]

Yesterday, at the gym, I was killing time before heading into the bumper to bumper traffic, and listening to the radio, motor off. The ignition shut off in about 20 min. Have comfort access, fob was in the dash.

When the car was new, I have sat in the car over 1 hour in the winter, etc.

No clue what software is on the car at this point, so I was wondering if the software has changed things? If so, the REST feature would be useless if the accessories don't even stay on without motor running for 20 min.

If it's not the software, then maybe it's the battery (original). If it's not either of those, I think it's a malfunction but the dealership told me it's normal last year (LOL didn't want to argue, not an effective way to use my time).

Anyone sit in their car for long periods of time with accessories running?

[VTECaddict]

i've never timed it but it's definitely always been less than an hour for me.

[Bimmer84]

Maybe some built in amp drain meter or something?

[Quasimodem]

Maybe the car computer knows your battery shouldnt discharge any more and, since the battery is weaker than it used to be, it shuts down earlier now. Replacing the batter might help.

[Saintor]

Good info here (up to 16 minutes according to them on E60)
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/arc.../t-342455.html

[Haus_07]

On several ocassions while working on the car in the garage, I'd have the power on and listening to satellite radio. Right about the 20min mark, the radio would turn off. I figured out that all you have to do is press the "start" button once, and it gives you back the radio for another 20mins. I day I was working under the dash hardwiring my sat radio, and I probably pressed the start button 5-6 times to get my radio back on, as I was working in there for an hour and a half or so. Seems like you can continue to turn it back on indefinitely, but not totally sure about that. I think the residual heating system operates differently than the radio though. I don't think it shuts off every 20 mins or so. Just seems to be a timer on the accessories to keep the battery from draining should one forget to turn off the radio or whatever.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

Maybe the car computer knows your battery shouldnt discharge any more and, since the battery is weaker than it used to be, it shuts down earlier now. Replacing the batter might help.

I'm thinking this may be the case...I will most like pay (it's a strange concept with the battery to pay someone to do it) to have it replaced next month when I have the coolant replaced. With most cars 5 years is the right time, I'd be 4 mos. shy of that mark...

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Haus_07

On several ocassions while working on the car in the garage, I'd have the power on and listening to satellite radio. Right about the 20min mark, the radio would turn off. I figured out that all you have to do is press the "start" button once, and it gives you back the radio for another 20mins. I day I was working under the dash hardwiring my sat radio, and I probably pressed the start button 5-6 times to get my radio back on, as I was working in there for an hour and a half or so. Seems like you can continue to turn it back on indefinitely, but not totally sure about that. I think the residual heating system operates differently than the radio though. I don't think it shuts off every 20 mins or so. Just seems to be a timer on the accessories to keep the battery from draining should one forget to turn off the radio or whatever.

Interesting so it's not just me....just that when the car was new I'm sure it was over an hour, I used to pick up my wife from the train and I'd have to wait....

[SilverII]

it turn of too after x min when watching a dvd