What Causes Cold Start Shaking in BMW 5 Series?
2 Answers
The main causes of cold start shaking in BMW 5 Series can be categorized into several types: carbon deposits, weak ignition, low cylinder pressure, and substandard fuel quality. It is recommended to regularly clean carbon deposits, replace spark plugs, use qualified fuel from reputable gas stations, and seek inspection and repair at authorized 4S dealerships when necessary. Below is relevant information: 1. BMW: BMW (Bavarian Motor Works), fully known in Chinese as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, is a German luxury automobile brand. BMW's vehicle lineup includes the i, X, Z, and pure numeric series (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), along with the M series which is based on improvements to these models. 2. Carbon Deposits: Carbon deposits encompass two concepts: The first refers to engine carbon deposits, which are coking substances formed from unsaturated olefins and gum in fuel under high temperatures during engine operation. The second concept pertains to carbon deposits in electrical discharge machining, where their occurrence should be minimized as they can have fatal impacts, especially in precision mold processing.
I've driven several BMW 5 Series, and the most common causes of shaking during cold starts are aging spark plugs and engine carbon deposits. Especially when starting in winter or after prolonged parking, before the engine warms up, if the spark plugs' ignition efficiency decreases or the fuel injectors get clogged with carbon deposits, uneven fuel injection can cause shaking. Also, BMW's ignition coils are prone to issues, which become more noticeable in cold weather. Another factor could be engine oil viscosity being too high or too low, leading to insufficient lubrication at low temperatures and increased friction between components. I personally check the condition of the spark plugs regularly, replacing them every 20,000 kilometers, and occasionally take the car on the highway to clear carbon deposits. If shaking occurs frequently, it's essential to get it checked at a professional shop promptly to avoid engine damage. Modern cars have complex electronic systems, and faulty sensors like the mass airflow sensor can also exacerbate cold start shaking, though this is less common. Using high-quality engine oil and gasoline can effectively prevent most shaking issues, ensuring smoother starts.