[vz10]

Hi,

I’m trying to figure out how hybrid decides when to use combustion engine and when electrical. In sport mode it seems like it uses combustion first and adds electrical is needed. But in efficient mode I didn’t see it ever used combustion at all unless it’s out of battery. Also not sure about the personal one which should be some combination of sport and efficient, I beleive.

Do you know what logic it uses?

[Tortelli]

Personal mode (the default mode): prioritize electric mode and add ICE when needed.
Battery will drain to 0 and then the engine will be turned on and used when needed. Some times the engine will turb on if you use more power.

When its empty the engine will turn on. When driving slowly it will switch between electric and ICE. When on the highway It will probably use the ICE until you have a reasonable electric range again.
“Influence” option 1
You can switch the automatic to Sport (S) to turn on the engine, powertrain is more or less in sport mode.
“Influence” option 2
You can enable battery hold (tip: you can set this as a favourite!) to keep a certain % of charge. Handy when you would like to use the pre heating of the car in hold or hot condition. You need at least ~10% of charge to use this feature.
“Influence” option 3
Use GPS, car will determine most efficient way to use the battery charge to your destination.
Sport mode (with powertrain set to sport) = ICE always on, electric is used to add power

My experience for about 2 months (and a long holiday ski trip) with my 550e touring:
For all drives within ~50-60km (40 miles) I force the car in electric mode only. It will never go to the ICE until you use the kickdown. When driving to work, shop or family nearby I’m usually in electric mode. About 70% of my driving is in electric. I’m annoyed when the engine is turned on for 10 seconds. Car is in electric fast enough on B roads.
Longer trips: use GPS. The car seem to do this very efficient.
During my trip to Austria I was amazed about the electric recovery the car is able to do. I drive 140km electric in a total trip of ~900km. Had about 60km of charge when I left, so about 80km was regenerated by the car!
Sporty driving: force engine on to give it some time to warmup.

[vz10]

Originally Posted by Tortelli

Longer trips: use GPS. The car seem to do this very efficient.

Should it be internal BMW navigation only? I mostly use Apple Maps through CarPlay during my drive wondering if they can exchange data with vehicle.

[jha96]

Originally Posted by vz10

Should it be internal BMW navigation only? I mostly use Apple Maps through CarPlay during my drive wondering if they can exchange data with vehicle.

I've always wondered this. At some point a few years ago CarPlay started passing more data to the car – such as being able to show turns etc in HUD.

[Greg-Bimmer550e]

Honestly I have been using BMW's navigation more and more. They have improved so much the past few years. The lane change recommendation they put on the HUD is very helpful. I also love the "timeline of traffic" they put on the left side of the screen.

[Tortelli]

Originally Posted by vz10

Should it be internal BMW navigation only? I mostly use Apple Maps through CarPlay during my drive wondering if they can exchange data with vehicle.

Not sure if it works with carplay. Like the integration of the BMW system (maps them selves are not as good as google maps).

[vz10]

Originally Posted by Greg-Bimmer550e

Honestly I have been using BMW's navigation more and more. They have improved so much the past few years. The lane change recommendation they put on the HUD is very helpful. I also love the "timeline of traffic" they put on the left side of the screen.

Actually I liked HUD Apple Maps integration in iDrive 8 much more - it was much bigger and in the center of the HUD instead of small signs in the top in the current one.