first time refueling attempt details

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DocRush

Active member
Joined
Feb 18, 2015
Messages
36
Location
İstanbul / TÜRKİYE
Hi,
There is an issue in my mind since the very first day of purchase: :? :roll:

Is there an obligement regarding the first refueling of a BEV which says "you have to top up till the highest end especially for this very first attempt". :?:

Also I want to learn if the new driver (=owner) should pay attention to drive this new car till the limit (e.g.: 5 - 10 km range reserve on the driver's menu screen) before he/she has to top up for the second time. :?:

These are my poor curiosity issues or concerns which may be inherited from the very personal experiences regarding cellular phones. :oops: :!:
 
No and No.

The chemistry went long ways since first cell phones. You can charge it however high you want and discharge it however low you want. Built in electronics provide safeguards against your habits destroying battery. The only time where charge level matters is prolonged storage (as in more than a couple of weeks).
 
The i3 has a 22kWh battery but BMW reserve the top and bottom so you only get to use 18.8kWh. This is to extend the battery life and stop you overcharging / undercharging. LiIon batteries last longer when NOT left fully charged or discharged for long periods.

The one tip - is if you are leaving the car while on holiday make sure it has 25-75% so even with a bit of battery drain (theft alarm/connected drive messaging) it won't reach minimum level. Personally I'd charge to 75% so when I get back I don't have to wait for it to charge to drive again.
 
nowtta60 said:
The one tip - is if you are leaving the car while on holiday make sure it has 25-75% so even with a bit of battery drain (theft alarm/connected drive messaging) it won't reach minimum level. Personally I'd charge to 75% so when I get back I don't have to wait for it to charge to drive again.

BMW manual suggests leaving car fully charged (and plugged in if possible) for extended periods of time. I'd rather stick to manufacturer's suggestions than to some 'common knowledge' from the Internet
 
Tomasz said:
nowtta60 said:
The one tip - is if you are leaving the car while on holiday make sure it has 25-75% so even with a bit of battery drain (theft alarm/connected drive messaging) it won't reach minimum level. Personally I'd charge to 75% so when I get back I don't have to wait for it to charge to drive again.

BMW manual suggests leaving car fully charged (and plugged in if possible) for extended periods of time. I'd rather stick to manufacturer's suggestions than to some 'common knowledge' from the Internet

That's great if you local airport has plug sockets for everyone who turns up and don't mind hogging them for 2 weeks meaning no one else can get a charge. Otherwise I'd stick with a full charge and leave it till you get back. I guess you were thinking of at home... but then how would you get to the airport for your holiday? ;-)
 
My local airport (Logan in Boston) has a bunch of EVSE's in their long-term parking garages that are free to use once you've paid for parking. But, since I can't be assured there's one free, and I can't make the round-trip there on a single charge, I either take the express bus, or drive my ICE.
 
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