Diesel starting in winter

[gghg]

I have recently purchase a 2010 X5 diesel, awesome torque on it. I was reading the manual about starting in winter and it described that a fuel warmer may come on when the temps drop, when it does the “coil lamp” would come on. I live in Eastern Ontario over the past couple of weeks we have had some pretty cold days and during that time the light only came on once. The question for you folks with diesels is how often does the light come on when you start up in the winter? I’ve owned VW diesels and the glow plugs would come on every start summer or winter (winter would stay on longer). I was wondering if this is normal or if there is a problem with the system. It starts fine now but don’t want to run in to problems when it gets really cold in Jan and Feb.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

I have never noticed the coil come on. I have never had an issue with it starting either. It was out for about 6hrs in -35C today but my wife started it and I doubt she would notice.... Over night is when I would expect it to come on and I do try to keep it inside over night.

[MyF15+F85]

If it is going to get really cold it will come on ( the light ).
I did come on with my previous 2009, and I'm expecting for this one ( 2012 ) to do the same.
I know that on the V-dubs that light ( glow plug ) came almost always warm or cold ( stayed longer in cold though ) but the BMW it showed up on mine only few times.
The only suggestion that I would have is to have your battery topped up, every so often just to make sure of an easy start up.
And yeah if there would be a problem with the glow plugs, trust me this thing ( BMW ) will let you know of it.
Hope that helps.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

I asked my wife she has seen the coil but only a couple times. Again we have never had starting issues, we went to Mexico for 10days and left it outside at the airport and it was -20 to -30 the whole time we were gone and it fired right up when we got home. I was worried about all of the stories you hear about guys having starting issues with X5s in warm weather after sitting for over a week let alone a diesel in cold temps but no issues yet.

[gghg]

Thanks guys that helps, I wanted to see if this was normal.

[Diesel X5]

Just to let you know my diesel sat for a week in this cold weather in Alberta and yesterday the light came on and said severe battery discharge. I went out today to see if my truck would start and for the first time this winter the coil lit up and had to preheat before it would start.

[nabizzy]

-35C is like -30F.....its like 36F here and I'm freezing my toes off lol

[Sylvan Lake V35]

Originally Posted by nabizzy

-35C is like -30F.....its like 36F here and I'm freezing my toes off lol

I worked in Texas for a winter, the locals thought I was insane. It was below freezing, everyone had balaclavas, insulated coveralls and winter boots I showed up wearing a long sleeve t-shirt and summer coveralls. Everyone literally stopped work and stared at me . However Texas in the summer is hell to work in.

[BMW_Diesel_Owner]

I would like to know whether there is any problem with using diesel in extremely cold weather. We are thinking of getting a 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d, and we have been reading anecdotes for and against diesel engines in general and BMW diesel engines in particular.

Considering that we have been getting 30 to 40 degree celcius temperature in winter, I am wondering whether purchasing a diesel is prudent.

Thanks for your help!