It seems to come on at about 12.4 volt ish. I get it regularly if I forget to put the car in utility mode when working in the car with music on or when washing the car with the welcome mirrors switched on etc. I would recommend buying a small battery monitor such as https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Mo...=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007326&hvtargid=pla-1190305192462&psc=1

It now tends to irk me rather than cause problems but using the battery monitor gives me the reassurance it's all OK.

The charge should get it back up above 12.4v but you need a monitor to check nothing is active in the car when it is shut down causing a slight drain.

It will also make you aware of a potential faulty battery so worth considering imo.

Alan

 

Yes it doesn’t take much to cause that app warning to happen. It rather depends what you had been doing prior to seeing that warning. Also, do you have a dashcam? Is it operating whilst car is off?

The most common cause of the 12V being partially discharged like this is having the car on in the accessory mode. This is the mode that happens if you turn on the power without also holding foot on the foot brake. Please don’t ever use the dreadful accessory mode, not even for a few minutes. It is a real 12V battery killer.

As you only recently got the car it seems likely you will be sat in the car playing with all the gadgets (as we all did). That’s fine of course, but please only do it with the car fully on at ready (or in Utility mode).
Just a few minutes of accessory mode is enough to cause that warning. In ready or Utility the 12V battery is being maintained from the HV battery, but in accessory mode it is not so it gets rapidly discharged.

if you ever feel you want to charge the 12V battery, just select Utility mode and leave it on for a few hours. That will charge the battery continuously at 14.7V.

Completely agree with the advice to get a BM2 monitor. They give so much useful information and are worth every penny. Gives 12V piece of mind. Many of us have got the BM2. You can check the 12V anytime without even opening the car! Peter.

 

Thats great info thankyou. I dont have anything plugged in. Can you lock the car in utility mode? I might go out and turn it on for the afternoon whilst its in the secure office carpark

 

Did a long drive today and it’s gone back to “OK”. Phew

 

Yip, that's what happens. And relax....
It may reappear occasionally but as stated now I have the battery monitor I am more relaxed about it than previously. I can analyse voltage drops against time and events to more fully understand what caused the drop in the first place. Still worth considering a BM2 device imo.

Alan

 

AFAIR, you can lock it in utility mode via the app? Long time since I tried this, but that’s what my aging neurons are telling me anyway.

Yes everything stays on (except the ability to actually drive). So if leaving for some time to charge the 12V, ensure to turn everything off, lights, HVAC, infotainment etc. so as to reduce HV battery energy wastage.

The Good thing is the car cannot be driven from Utility mode. It has to be turned fully off then restarted with fob present and foot on brake. Peter

Peter

 

Peter, just tried via the app ( car on, utility mode set....don't know if any other steps are required). Exited car, all doors shut...key not detected warning. (fail) Cannot lock doors. Please check your vehicle status.

Can you activate more neurons to see if I have missed anything or done something stupid? P.s I tried leaving the key in the car...no difference.

Alan

 

Hmmm sorry. Maybe I was balking tollocks 🤔.
Perhaps you can lock the door with the mechanical key then?? Peter.

 

I will try it 🔑 and let you know 👍

Alan

 

Yes that worked. Car on, utility mode selected. Exited car, key not detected warning light. Locked using "emergency key" . Walked away and checked status. Locked showing in app, nothing else out of the ordinary. Battery monitor shows charging active. Mirror did not autofold using this method...as expected. Key warning light remained on.

Car would not open using the fob, requires the "emergency key" to physically unlock. Car still in utility mode.

Powered down and car reverted to normal status.

Alan