[ToddRGuy]

Okay, so no driving today due to the abysmal Ohio weather, so it provided me with an opportunity to install some accessories (door sills are on, as well as my floating BMW caps) and ponder over some things yesterday. I have a couple of questions, for those amongst us who are more informed.

Number 1
I can't find anything in the manual regarding efficiency mode, that specifically addresses the visual ...eh..3D "triangle-like symbol". I'm not going to say what it REALLY reminds me of, so yeah. I understand the blue glowing RPM/Power representation on the dash; keep it in the glowy blue zone for most efficient driving, but what's the heads up symbol "do" when you're being efficient vs. not efficient? Sorry, but I've only logged 70 miles so I've not had time to play with this further.

Number 2

At the time I set up profile at the BMW dealership, the Genius told me that I only had the option of setting up my iPhone or the Key to my profile, but not both. Is this really true? What about the keycard? Do you have to pick one of the three. Seems like in a perfect world, you'd be able to pick/choose which are associated with your ID.

Further Thoughts
I can understand why this car gets confused if it's using nearfield communication in multi-driver households and both people get in a car at the same time. Does it sort this out or are their problems?

I applied Giest Repel as the protectant to the pristine white seats. Pan the Organizer had a great review on this, and it does not contain 'forever chemicals' or ceramic particles that can make the seating slick. I can attest that it buffs to a matte finish, disappears quickly and I can't tell its been applied. I think I'm going to apply a second coat tomorrow, because it's very difficult to see, even though I was diligent about cross-hatching during application.

[jha96]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

Okay, so no driving today due to the abysmal Ohio weather, so it provided me with an opportunity to install some accessories (door sills are on, as well as my floating BMW caps) and ponder over some things yesterday. I have a couple of questions, for those amongst us who are more informed.

Number 1
I can't find anything in the manual regarding efficiency mode, that specifically addresses the visual ...eh..3D "triangle-like symbol". I'm not going to say what it REALLY reminds me of, so yeah. I understand the blue glowing RPM/Power representation on the dash; keep it in the glowy blue zone for most efficient driving, but what's the heads up symbol "do" when you're being efficient vs. not efficient? Sorry, but I've only logged 70 miles so I've not had time to play with this further.

Number 2

At the time I set up profile at the BMW dealership, the Genius told me that I only had the option of setting up my iPhone or the Key to my profile, but not both. Is this really true? What about the keycard? Do you have to pick one of the three. Seems like in a perfect world, you'd be able to pick/choose which are associated with your ID.

Further Thoughts
I can understand why this car gets confused if it's using nearfield communication in multi-driver households and both people get in a car at the same time. Does it sort this out or are their problems?

I applied Giest Repel as the protectant to the pristine white seats. Pan the Organizer had a great review on this, and it does not contain 'forever chemicals' or ceramic particles that can make the seating slick. I can attest that it buffs to a matte finish, disappears quickly and I can't tell its been applied. I think I'm going to apply a second coat tomorrow, because it's very difficult to see, even though I was diligent about cross-hatching during application.

You can set up the phone key, keycard, and key and have them active at once....

[RichardInCA]

Yup I have my iPhone, keycard and key fob all active - the keycard needs to be laid down in the phone charging slot to work though. I carry it with me in the event that I have a problem with my iPhone - 13 months in and I’ve had no problems whatsoever.

Re-efficiency mode - I assume you are seeing the weird blue triangle thing in the headsup display? I can only speak for the EV version but like you there are zero explainers anywhere to describe what it does. From what I have deduced - you have wide bands either side of the triangle that shrink as you approach some notional efficient driving speed - note this is sometimes higher than the speed limit, interestingly. In an EV once those bands narrow to a line the line pulses towards or away from the triangle depending upon whether you’re taking power from the HV battery or regenerating power back to the battery. There are also some additional graphics on the dash which indicate what % power you should target to be “efficient” (perhaps this will be your rev counter in the ICE?), some notional “miles saved/added” and then on the adaptive display I have “anticipation, speed and acceleration” metrics scored out of 10 to grade me on my driving style. It’s all kinda neat I guess, but far from intuitive. Again, not sure if the implementation would be different relative to the EV for your 540 experience.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Yup I have my iPhone, keycard and key fob all active - the keycard needs to be laid down in the phone charging slot to work though. I carry it with me in the event that I have a problem with my iPhone - 13 months in and I’ve had no problems whatsoever.

Re-efficiency mode - I assume you are seeing the weird blue triangle thing in the headsup display? I can only speak for the EV version but like you there are zero explainers anywhere to describe what it does. From what I have deduced - you have wide bands either side of the triangle that shrink as you approach some notional efficient driving speed - note this is sometimes higher than the speed limit, interestingly. In an EV once those bands narrow to a line the line pulses towards or away from the triangle depending upon whether you’re taking power from the HV battery or regenerating power back to the battery. There are also some additional graphics on the dash which indicate what % power you should target to be “efficient” (perhaps this will be your rev counter in the ICE?), some notional “miles saved/added” and then on the adaptive display I have “anticipation, speed and acceleration” metrics scored out of 10 to grade me on my driving style. It’s all kinda neat I guess, but far from intuitive. Again, not sure if the implementation would be different relative to the EV for your 540 experience.

Thanks Richard! I thought it was just me, perhaps, but good to know that the heads up display icon isn't intuitive. The dash made more sense, but I'd prefer not to have to keep glancing down at it. I might give the Genius line a call tomorrow, just to see what they say.

Thanks to you and jha96 I was able to link the three of them to my BMW ID without incident.

[patch5674]

I am here for the answer to number 1 too!

I have done 'some' driving in efficiency mode and I can't work out what is going on in the triangle in the HUD and I am not sure what happens in the power gauge where it rises then slowly depletes.

But mainly the odd triangle in the HUD, is keeping it in the widest part the most efficient? What do the bits on the outside mean?

[RichardInCA]

Forgot to note the most obvious thing in efficient mode is that the throttle pedal is mapped to be much less responsive. Again, I assume that translates over to the ICE implementation too. I can still pull a good overtake but I need to push the throttle much further for the same response than I do in personal mode (or sport mode obv.)

[patch5674]

Yeah in ICE BMW's the efficiency mode is mapped to quite a 'dead' feeling throttle - it potentially feels worse in ICE because the engine is inherently less responsive than EV.

I actually think Efficiency makes for a better highway cruise as smaller pedal inputs don't invoke such a sudden jerk forward etc. I used to use efficiency a lot in ICE models on the highway but rarely around town.

Although I am less clear on it's benefits in the EV world, I use Adaptive regen day to day so the car coasts at high speed on lift off, not 100% sure what Efficiency does over and above that. Maybe it is because of the les responsive throttle you don't do the EV Traffic Light Grand Prix ha...

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Forgot to note the most obvious thing in efficient mode is that the throttle pedal is mapped to be much less responsive. Again, I assume that translates over to the ICE implementation too. I can still pull a good overtake but I need to push the throttle much further for the same response than I do in personal mode (or sport mode obv.)

It’s funny, I called the Genius line to inquire about the specifics behind the icon and they had limited information on it. He agreed they needed to provide more information on the topic, and bumped it up to the team that makes manual edits.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

It’s funny, I called the Genius line to inquire about the specifics behind the icon and they had limited information on it. He agreed they needed to provide more information on the topic, and bumped it up to the team that makes manual edits.

Agree. It's bizarre that the manual doesn't address this at all. I still haven't quite figured it out myself, but the EV version may function differently to the ICE version.

[Blue Sky]

When I asked about it during a test drive, my assistant did not have much to say about it.

BMW isn’t alone in not providing documentation on the various instrument cluster and HUD displays, which is bizarre considering the increasing complexity.

[AlteBMW]

Originally Posted by Blue Sky

When I asked about it during a test drive, my assistant did not have much to say about it.

BMW isn’t alone in not providing documentation on the various instrument cluster and HUD displays, which is bizarre considering the increasing complexity.

Yes. Not just BMW. Try figuring out the Mercedes HUD. Completely unintuitive and manual is no help.

[rgw]

Everything I've heard about iDrive is that it is very powerful but the UI is dense. Setting up favorites is critical since many functions are nested deeply in menus. It seems like mostly anything is able to favorited.

[RichardInCA]

I will say iDrive 8.5 does demystify over time. It does take a while and some patience, but I find it relatively straightforward to use now.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

I will say iDrive 8.5 does demystify over time. It does take a while and some patience, but I find it relatively straightforward to use now.

I agree, there are a lot of Customizable options. It’s easy to become somewhat distracted while driving, And attempting to adjust something as a new learner. Now that I’ve had a few days to look over the menus though it’s making much more sense.

I really don’t think the provided user manuals do a really good job with explaining the OS. Much of this I think is due to a lack of Visual references; At least for me, I tend to be a visual learner.

[Chaos_301]

How you enjoying the car Todd ?

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by Chaos_301

How you enjoying the car Todd ?

It’s great! I haven’t really had a opportunity to drive it that much yet. I’ve spent a lot of time sitting in my garage configuring things. I’ve logged 140 miles since taking it home, and most of those have been relatively short trips to visit my niece (about 16 miles one direction).

The software is becoming more familiar but it still does some things occasionally that make me go…um, what’s that. Example, tonight I went to stop at my mail kiosk. I left the car running because it’s 25F out. I got back into continue my journey to the house and happened to notice that beside the hazard light symbol on the dash, was now a blue fan symbol, that was pulsing on and off. It isn’t a pushable button so I’m like….uhh, hi friend, and drove on home, another two blocks; if went out shortly after I started driving.

As far as the drive experience, it’s got very competent road manors. I’m really having to get use to the brakes, as they’re much more sensitive than my Audi was. I like how I can use the paddle shifters to downshift when coasting from 55mph down to a near stop, on a State Highway. The downshifting also worked well, going down a snow covered grade tonight.

I’m a little reluctant to go distance until I get it ceramic coated and the PPF installed. That’s scheduled for Monday morning, and I assume they’ll have it all week, as it’s getting full frontal, fenders, A-pillars, the grill, rockers, and rear part of bumper splash area.

[nacs]

I may be the exact opposite no ppf driving it in rain and even gravel after a tree blocked a lane in the last wind storm. Just wash it w/ my Griots foam sprayer and use the dryer followed by ceramic spray wax and go do the same thing again in a few weeks. 😄

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by nacs

I may be the exact opposite no ppf driving it in rain and even gravel after a tree blocked a lane in the last wind storm. Just wash it w/ my Griots foam sprayer and use the dryer followed by ceramic spray wax and go do the same thing again in a few weeks. ��

Same here. I just drive it. No PPF, No Ceramic, just get in and go. It's raining? No big deal. They are paving the road, go ahead. I'm not spending Hundreds or Thousands of dollars just to put a PPF coating I am going to have to redo in a few years anyway. Here in Spain, I know of a very good paint shop that was able to match my Range Rover's 13 year old Orkney Grey Metallic paint and it looks as good as new. Plus they are a lot cheaper than in the US. So when it comes time, I can have it touched up if needed for less than the cost of PPF.

Maybe it's because I lived so many years in the PNW, that I know stuff like that is inevitable. Just like probably having to replace the windshield is likely inevitable at some point in the PNW. Every car I have owned has had to have it replaced at least once when I was there.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

Further Thoughts
I can understand why this car gets confused if it's using nearfield communication in multi-driver households and both people get in a car at the same time. Does it sort this out or are their problems?

Todd, you can go in and tell the car which Mobile takes priority. I have it set up as mine being primary and my wife's secondary. Also I set up my key fob as master and, since i had already set up my profile on MyBMW app I used it (along with both key fobs to set up the key card to my profile as well. So the delivery guy was being lazy.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by nacs

I may be the exact opposite no ppf driving it in rain and even gravel after a tree blocked a lane in the last wind storm. Just wash it w/ my Griots foam sprayer and use the dryer followed by ceramic spray wax and go do the same thing again in a few weeks. 😄

My Acura was the first car I had PPF and ceramic coated. The Audi had it also. I must say that it was awesome after 7 years of ownership to steam the PPF off when I was getting ready to sell it and the paint was flawless. The PPF never really degraded significantly.

If I had to pick one or the other though, I’d do the ceramic coating. It truly makes washing it and doing maintenance so easy. No tar, bugs sticking to the bumper, no bird droppings etching your clear coat, etc. and it makes your paint so glossy and glass like. I folllow a similar maintenance routine to you; the coating minimizes my labor though. And for $800 or so, I’ll do it every time.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

My Acura was the first car I had PPF and ceramic coated. The Audi had it also. I must say that it was awesome after 7 years of ownership to steam the PPF off when I was getting ready to sell it and the paint was flawless. The PPF never really degraded significantly.

If I had to pick one or the other though, I’d do the ceramic coating. It truly makes washing it and doing maintenance so easy. No tar, bugs sticking to the bumper, no bird droppings etching your clear coat, etc. and it makes your paint so glossy and glass like. I folllow a similar maintenance routine to you; the coating minimizes my labor though. And for $800 or so, I’ll do it every time.

This is the first car I ever got ceramic coated. Previously I would have thought it was a gimmick, but after looking at reviews and others' comments online, I went for it. I'm very glad I did, because it truly makes the surface very glossy and easy to maintain. Even when I hand wash the car the soapy water doesn't even want to stay on the surface, but rather it wants to roll off and bead.

Unfortunately, it doesn't really help with rock chips or scratches but it certainly helps the paint look new and make maintenance easier.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

This is the first car I ever got ceramic coated. Previously I would have thought it was a gimmick, but after looking at reviews and others' comments online, I went for it. I'm very glad I did, because it truly makes the surface very glossy and easy to maintain. Even when I hand wash the car the soapy water doesn't even want to stay on the surface, but rather it wants to roll off and bead.

Unfortunately, it doesn't really help with rock chips or scratches but it certainly helps the paint look new and make maintenance easier.

I agree 100000%. First time I've done ceramic coating and absolutely love it.