[SpaceSilver.X1]

I frequently drive less than 25 miles a month. During the last 30 days(Jan-Feb), it only saw 22 miles. Should I ask my neighbor to drive it while I'm out of town?(for example, a couple of hours on the weekend) She already has access to my house and my key fob, but only to check up on the house and water the plants when I'm traveling.

Or... is it a good idea to use remote start from the BMW app and let it run in the garage for 15 minutes every few days?(the garage door will be opened remoted using the garage door app, of course)

The BMW service advisor at the dealer has previously "scolded" me for driving too few miles or letting it sit for several weeks without starting.

Thanks!

[KingSize.Hamster]

Not a bad idea if you trust your neighbor. 25 miles really is on the low side ...

[tex2670]

What you should do it get rid of your car and get an Uber account.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by tex2670

What you should do it get rid of your car and get an Uber account.

Uber/Lyft are rare in my part of the state. (not to mention that we dont' even have scheduled airline service here, so cars are essential, unless you wish to contribute to my private plane GoFundMe page?)

[X1-CT]

My mom got scolded by the service manager at Mercedes for not driving her car enough. They tried to tell her she needed a new battery because of it. $750!
So… avoid that from happening to you. I think letting someone else drive it a little isn’t a bad idea if you trust them.

[DestinationMoon!]

Buy a trickle charger. We leave cars sitting idle for months. Never had a problem. Always get 5 plus years from the batteries. Using a surge protector is probably a good idea

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by X1-CT

My mom got scolded by the service manager at Mercedes for not driving her car enough. They tried to tell her she needed a new battery because of it. $750!
So… avoid that from happening to you. I think letting someone else drive it a little isn’t a bad idea if you trust them.

yeah, I had a Mercedes dealer like that. They sold me a new battery and I had no choice because I was in a hurry. The next two batteries were purchased from Sam's Club(Energizer brand) Group 49 100A batteries... they were actually better, at half the price, than the Mercedes batteries from the MB parts dept.

[BMWZ4]

If Uber isn't an option then rent when you need a vehicle....otherwise, get a trickle charger. I wouldn't let my best friend drive my car much less a neighbor

P.s. are you SURE you're not related to Bluecrabby

[X1-CT]

There is an app called Turo where you can rent your car like Air BnB. I make commercials and we use that app to rent cars all the time. But sometimes people use it for nice cars instead of rental car companies.

[hawaiiguy]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

I frequently drive less than 25 miles a month. During the last 30 days(Jan-Feb), it only saw 22 miles. Should I ask my neighbor to drive it while I'm out of town?(for example, a couple of hours on the weekend) She already has access to my house and my key fob, but only to check up on the house and water the plants when I'm traveling.

Or... is it a good idea to use remote start from the BMW app and let it run in the garage for 15 minutes every few days?(the garage door will be opened remoted using the garage door app, of course)

The BMW service advisor at the dealer has previously "scolded" me for driving too few miles or letting it sit for several weeks without starting.

Thanks!

perhaps put in 'deep sleep mode with alarm on' ?

[cb804]

Trickle charger is probably the best solution. Remote starting and letting your car idle won't charge the battery. People who store cars in the winter highly advise against starting and idling. You need to drive the car in order to get the battery charged. Your car can sit on a tender for months at a time and should have no issues.

[BMWZ4]

RENT!!!!!!!

[Fahren German]

Based on the original post, I don’t know if the car is sitting for 6 months at a time or something, that might lead to issues if done regularly. However, low mileage every month/every-other-month is fine. I’d not driven my BMW for 4 months consecutively when I broke my left foot (the vehicle is a manual), and during Covid lockdowns I was driving the car maybe… once every two months or so. All those vehicles just sitting on the lot aren’t getting 25 miles per month, yet the dealers are eager to sell them to you (new or used, just the same - sitting there undriven)

It’s fine ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Cam330i]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

I frequently drive less than 25 miles a month. During the last 30 days(Jan-Feb), it only saw 22 miles. Should I ask my neighbor to drive it while I'm out of town?(for example, a couple of hours on the weekend) She already has access to my house and my key fob, but only to check up on the house and water the plants when I'm traveling.

Or... is it a good idea to use remote start from the BMW app and let it run in the garage for 15 minutes every few days?(the garage door will be opened remoted using the garage door app, of course)

The BMW service advisor at the dealer has previously "scolded" me for driving too few miles or letting it sit for several weeks without starting.

Thanks!

Hello!

I would recommend you put your X1 in Deep Sleep Mode if you are going on vacation or plan to not use your X1 for a period of time!

Below I will include a picture that explains what Deep Sleep Mode is and I took this from a 2024 BMW X1 (dated 11.21.23)

You have two options for Deep Sleep Mode:
1. Deep Sleep Mode w/ Anti - Theft Alarm System - all vehicle functions except for the alarm system will be deactivated
- Possible Stationary time: 20 Weeks (~ 5 months)

2. Deep Sleep Mode w/o Anti - Theft Alarm System - all vehicle functions (incl. Alarm System) will be deactivated.
- Possible Stationary time: 24 Weeks (~ 6 months)

Being that your X1 primarily lives in a private garage (per your description), I think option 2 would best fit you!
NOTE: Although Deep Sleep Mode gives you an estimate of how long your X1 can remain stationary, I wouldn't push it and would recommend your drive/move your X1 prior to the limit (e.g., I would drive/move my X1 at the 15 week mark if I were to go with option 1)


A few other things:
1. If using a trickle charger, I'd recommend you use BMW's charger and make sure you follow the directions carefully.
(e.g., BMW's with the 48v mild hybrid system like the M340i and X7 requires the hood to be fully propped up in order for the battery to charge; they will not charge if plugged in and the hood is closed)
2. I would make a note (incl. Receipts) of when you put your X1 in Deep Sleep Mode - this is in case your X1 has a battery malfunction, but your within the estimated time; mainly for warranty concerns
3. I'd recommend you take your X1 for a long drive after its been sitting for awhile
4. While you can let close friends or family drive your vehicle, do keep in mind that you can track your X1 via the myBMWapp and the app will notify you if there are any issues with your X1, how many miles are on the car, live updates, etc.
NOTE: I'd recommend you change the "Data Privacy" settings to "All services" to get the most out of the app!
5. Most importantly - Keep in mind that your vehicle's Warranty and Maintenance plans have already started and will continue on rather you drive the car or not!

Lastly, I would recommend you prep your X1 to be stationary; below I have attached a link to one of my favorite car YouTubers and he provides some tips on storing your car long-term!

That said, I hope all of this helps! Please let me (us) know if you have any additional questions!

[COOLGREANY]

Originally Posted by Cam330i

Being that your X1 primarily lives in a private garage (per your description), I think option 2 would best fit you!

I don't think so since his garage was already compromised a few weeks ago where teenagers were trying to steal the wheels.

https://u11.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...52&postcount=1

[Fahren German]

Originally Posted by COOLGREANY

I don't think so since his garage was already compromised a few weeks ago where teenagers were trying to steal the wheels.

https://u11.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...52&postcount=1

His X1 was parked outside the garage:

I always parked the X1 inside the garage, but I had just finished washing and polishing my other two older cars yesterday, so they went inside...

[COOLGREANY]

Originally Posted by Fahren German

His X1 was parked outside the garage:

I always parked the X1 inside the garage, but I had just finished washing and polishing my other two older cars yesterday, so they went inside...

I stand corrected. Advice still applies given that experience and it's probably wise to keep the alarm function active.