The temperature drop and I started getting an image of a Snow crystal ??

Originally Posted by tturedraider

This is the first one this year isn't it?

It might be if we don't count the "asterisk" symbol post not too long ago.

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

Do you recall the CNBC documentary on BMW and the segment about the sound engineer who 'designs' all the chimes? I maintain that he failed at his job. If you have ever had the seatbelt gong/ low fuel gong/ and snowflake gong happen simultaneously, it is apparent that these should have been designed as a harmonic arpeggio. It would have much more impact and be so much more understandable why the car is emulating the noises made by a Las Vegas slot machine hitting the jackpot.

+1. But, being a musician & composer, I'd caution you not to blame the sound designer as I'm sure his work had to be approved by some mid level manager with a tin ear.

Tom

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

Do you recall the CNBC documentary on BMW and the segment about the sound engineer who 'designs' all the chimes? I maintain that he failed at his job. If you have ever had the seatbelt gong/ low fuel gong/ and snowflake gong happen simultaneously, it is apparent that these should have been designed as a harmonic arpeggio. It would have much more impact and be so much more understandable why the car is emulating the noises made by a Las Vegas slot machine hitting the jackpot.

The programming is poor to allow the chimes to interrupt each other. The audio design of both "yellow" and "red" situations having the same chime (at least that's apparently how it is on my cheap 328) is not desirable either. Low tire pressure or engine overheating should draw more attention than the exterior temperature, seatbelts (I'm already getting to it!), or ~60 miles of fuel range left.

I agree an arpeggio would be nice at start up when there are multiple items it wants to communicate... I hope that BMW's flagship vehicles handle this more gracefully than my car does.

Has anyone figured out a way to turn this off. While I appreciate the idea, it goes off nearly every time I start the car. I live in Michigan - I know it's cold outside, LOL.

Originally Posted by twhisten

If it goes below, i think 38 degrees F, the snowflake come on to let you know that its cold outside.

Mine came on the other day when it dropped to 37 degrees F... the first time I saw the snowflake it was a bit of a surprise, then when I finally found out what it meant after extensive research and going out of my mind trying to find the damn thing, I thought it was funny.

Originally Posted by amesterline

Has anyone figured out a way to turn this off. While I appreciate the idea, it goes off nearly every time I start the car. I live in Michigan - I know it's cold outside, LOL.

Sorry. You can't turn it off.

When mine goes off I immediately drive home and get my coat.

When mine comes on, it reminds me to turn on those wonderful heated seats.

It means "Hookers and Blow, next exit"....

I guess since mine is on 6 months out of the year in NH I get used to it!

I guess L.A. cars have a different option. I get a 'sweater' symbol when it drops to 60 degrees.

Originally Posted by pointandgo

I guess L.A. cars have a different option. I get a 'sweater' symbol when it drops to 60 degrees.

LOL. There is something a little perverse about driving home from work in the evening a week before Christmas with Christmas songs blasting from the radio and the top down.

Is the sweater icon an upgrade?

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

LOL. There is something a little perverse about driving home from work in the evening a week before Christmas with Christmas songs blasting from the radio and the top down.

Is the sweater icon an upgrade?

Not only that, but a little "L L Bean" icon also pops up with an 800 number. I'm going to complain about the 'commercialization' of my dash icons! Watch for a The Tire Rack ad to appear with the asterisk...I mean snowflake symbol next!

Is anyone else getting the 'Bing Crosby' "White Christmas" song piped through BMW Assist without asking for it? ;-)

Originally Posted by Vanos4:12PM

When mine comes on, it reminds me to turn on those wonderful heated seats.

I am pretty impressed with the alternator on this car. Heated seats: check. Heated steering wheel: check. Rear defrost: check. Climate control blower on maximum: check. Headlights: check. Wipers: yep, often need those too. I think the only electrical thing not going in the winter is the fan under the hood, though I wonder if I turned on A/C I could eventually get that drawing power as well.

Originally Posted by sptt144

That is very cool. I remember when I lived in Seattle and the temps dropped to 30 degrees without snow. All of the main highways ended up being closed because of multiple accidents due to black ice and rear end accidents. Lots of bridges and cold wind. I am from So Cal and had no idea how quickly that can happen. How cool that pir car will warn us!

Hehe -- that just happened again today. We had snow in Seattle. So traffic slows down to 1 hour to go 15 miles.

Oh and I got the snowflake too! I guess it was cold today!

LOL....

Question: If our dash temp indicator clearly shows 32 deg. or below, isn't the 'asterisk' symbol a bit too much? You could always roll down the window and stick your hand out if you didn't believe the temp gauge.

Originally Posted by Nordic_Kat

Do you recall the CNBC documentary on BMW and the segment about the sound engineer who 'designs' all the chimes? I maintain that he failed at his job. If you have ever had the seatbelt gong/ low fuel gong/ and snowflake gong happen simultaneously, it is apparent that these should have been designed as a harmonic arpeggio. It would have much more impact and be so much more understandable why the car is emulating the noises made by a Las Vegas slot machine hitting the jackpot.

Thanks for that, Kat. I was planning on being productive this evening... So much for that, I've been glued to the computer screen for the last 45 minutes.

Watch CNBC Originals | BMW: a Driving Obsession

Originally Posted by hellosopo

I am pretty impressed with the alternator on this car. Heated seats: check. Heated steering wheel: check. Rear defrost: check. Climate control blower on maximum: check. Headlights: check. Wipers: yep, often need those too. I think the only electrical thing not going in the winter is the fan under the hood, though I wonder if I turned on A/C I could eventually get that drawing power as well.

You DON'T HAVE heated mirrors? How could you possibly have missed that option??
We in the Western ski country are (of course) offered the "ski drying" feature. I suppose you've never heard of it.

I'm quite sure some BMW alternators could run a small city with power to spare. Just imagine what the "Climb to the Clouds" group could do if they connected their batteries together...electrifying!

Originally Posted by pointandgo

You DON'T HAVE heated mirrors? How could you possibly have missed that option??
We in the Western ski country are (of course) offered the "ski drying" feature. I suppose you've never heard of it.

I'm quite sure some BMW alternators could run a small city with power to spare. Just imagine what the "Climb to the Clouds" group could do if they connected their batteries together...electrifying!

My friends 760 has a "wine cooler" in the back seat ...... oh yeah and power window shades all around!