Tachometer's never at 0 RPMs, even at complete stop.

I got my car today and honestly, I love EVERYTHING about it. No problems what so ever, knock on wood. Brakes are perfect, no odd noises, car handles beautifully. The only thing I noticed is that even at a complete stop, the tachometer needle is never at 0 or close to 0 RPMs. At a complete stop, the needle's just under 1. Is this normal?

Originally Posted by X kelliente X

I got my car today and honestly, I love EVERYTHING about it. No problems what so ever, knock on wood. Brakes are perfect, no odd noises, car handles beautifully. The only thing I noticed is that even at a complete stop, the tachometer needle is never at 0 or close to 0 RPMs. At a complete stop, the needle's just under 1. Is this normal?

Yes. It means the engine is running. It's not a golf cart.

My mom's car (S500) and my dad's car (GS430) both are pretty close to 0 even when the car's running. As long as it's normal though. Thanks

Originally Posted by X kelliente X

I got my car today and honestly, I love EVERYTHING about it. No problems what so ever, knock on wood. Brakes are perfect, no odd noises, car handles beautifully. The only thing I noticed is that even at a complete stop, the tachometer needle is never at 0 or close to 0 RPMs. At a complete stop, the needle's just under 1. Is this normal?

The tach should only hit zero when the engine is off.

Originally Posted by Tanning machine

It's not a golf cart.

Originally Posted by X kelliente X

My mom's car (S500) and my dad's car (GS430) both are pretty close to 0 even when the car's running. As long as it's normal though. Thanks

Is that the Mercedes/Lexus equivalent of the BMW temperature gauge?

I've personally found that my car runs much better if the idle speed is above 0.

You get the best gas mileage when your RPMs are at 0... only thing is that you need to be headed downhill..

Originally Posted by Tanning machine

Yes. It means the engine is running. It's not a golf cart.

Originally Posted by X kelliente X

My mom's car (S500) and my dad's car (GS430) both are pretty close to 0 even when the car's running. As long as it's normal though. Thanks

Let me guess, you learned to drive and get your license with their cars and you just got this one and have no previous experience driving BMWs?

RPM (revolutions per minute) the rate of revolution of a motor.
When the car is stopped the motor is still running.

Originally Posted by Tanning machine

Yes. It means the engine is running. It's not a golf cart.

That made my day. Thanks!

Originally Posted by X kelliente X

My mom's car (S500) and my dad's car (GS430) both are pretty close to 0 even when the car's running. As long as it's normal though. Thanks

Hmm... I'd look again. My guess is that you forgot. It's impossible for the RPM to be close to zero while the engine is running in any of these cars.

Normal RPM should be between 600 and 700 which is considered normal idle! Anything over or under would mean the car requires a tune up!!

Originally Posted by Tanning machine

Yes. It means the engine is running. It's not a golf cart.

this has got to be the funniest thing I've read here yet

No, you guys are all wrong.

You should take it to the dealer and tell them about the problem, it could be a very serious issue. Or even better, call BMWNA.

Originally Posted by Huezo

No, you guys are all wrong.

You should take it to the dealer and tell them about the problem, it could be a very serious issue. Or even better, call BMWNA.

and tape the call... pllllleeeease

this is getting brutal...

I think they're being too kind, myself.

Originally Posted by anon

this is getting brutal...

Ever think they say stuff like this to see how many will actually post???

These BMWs are sure weird!

My buddy's E90 with auto transmission has two foot pedals, but his mom's G35 only has one. What's the second pedal for?

I have a feeling that the cars his parents' rides may have a "broken" tach scale that just has 0 then the 500rpm marker right above it. Some cars I've seen do that for 5 or 10 mph.

In that case those cars would look almost like 0 at idle. It is disconcerting though that a fellow E90 driver doesn't really know the basics of how a car operates.

Let's help... shall we?

http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/t1/tachomet.asp

I'm waiting for X kelliente X's first "my car beeped at me" post

Ed

This is a great thread. It is getting traction in other boards on the internet, lol.

I believe the wiring for the RPM guage runs off the same fuse/circuit as the xenon lights. If BMW didn't fill the Xenon lights all the way up with halogen fluid then the RPM guage will never go to zero. I would just pull the dipstick for the lights and make sure there is plenty of halogen fluid in them.