What is the BMW Cold Weather Package?

BMW's Cold Weather Package is a popular option designed to enhance comfort and convenience in colder climates. It equips BMW vehicles with features that actively combat the challenges of winter driving, making the driving experience more enjoyable and safer. This package is particularly valuable for drivers living in regions with freezing temperatures, snow, and ice.

The Cold Weather Package isn't just about heated seats; it's a comprehensive suite of features that work together to improve the overall driving experience in harsh winter conditions. From quickly warming the cabin to ensuring optimal visibility, this package adds significant value and contributes to a safer, more comfortable winter drive.

Detailed Explanations:

Heated Front Seats: The heated front seats are a core component of the Cold Weather Package. Heating elements are woven into the seat cushions and backrests, providing targeted warmth to the driver and front passenger. The intensity of the heat is typically adjustable through multiple settings, allowing occupants to customize their comfort level. This feature is particularly appreciated during the initial moments of a drive when the car's heating system is still warming up.

Heated Rear Seats: Found on select BMW models, the heated rear seats extend the comfort of the Cold Weather Package to rear passengers. Similar to the front seats, heating elements are integrated into the seat cushions and backrests. This feature is especially beneficial for families with children or for those who frequently transport passengers in the rear. The availability of heated rear seats often depends on the specific model and trim level.

Heated Steering Wheel: A heated steering wheel is a highly desirable feature in cold weather. A heating element is embedded within the steering wheel rim, providing warmth to the driver's hands. This not only enhances comfort but also improves grip and control, as cold hands can become stiff and less responsive. Like the heated seats, the heated steering wheel often has adjustable temperature settings.

Heated Windshield Washer Jets: Freezing windshield washer fluid is a common problem in cold climates. The Cold Weather Package addresses this issue with heated windshield washer jets. Small heating elements are located near the nozzles, preventing the fluid from freezing and ensuring a consistent spray pattern. This is crucial for maintaining clear visibility, especially when driving on roads covered in snow, slush, or salt.

Ski Bag: The ski bag is a practical feature for winter sports enthusiasts. It's essentially a pass-through opening behind the rear seats, allowing for the safe and convenient transport of skis or other long items inside the vehicle. This prevents the items from sliding around in the cabin and protects them from the elements, such as road salt and snow.

Auxiliary Cabin Heater: In extremely cold temperatures, the engine coolant-based heating system may take a significant amount of time to warm the cabin. The auxiliary cabin heater, typically an electric heater, supplements the main heating system and provides faster cabin warm-up. This is particularly useful during short trips or when the engine is still cold.

Enhanced USB and Bluetooth: While not directly related to combating cold weather, the enhanced USB and Bluetooth connectivity options often bundled within packages including the Cold Weather Package enhance the overall driving experience. This allows for seamless integration of smartphones and other devices for music streaming, hands-free calling, and navigation. Improved USB ports ensure faster charging and data transfer rates.

Remote Engine Start: Available on some models with ConnectedDrive services, remote engine start allows the driver to start the engine remotely using the BMW Connected app or key fob. This feature warms up the engine and cabin before the driver even enters the vehicle, saving time and ensuring a comfortable start to the journey. It also helps to defrost the windshield and windows, improving visibility. Note: Regulations regarding remote starting may vary by location.

All-Weather Floor Mats: All-weather floor mats are designed to protect the vehicle's carpet from the damaging effects of winter weather. Made from heavy-duty rubber or similar materials, these mats trap water, snow, dirt, and salt, preventing them from soaking into the carpet and causing stains or corrosion. They are also easy to clean, making them a practical addition to any vehicle driven in cold climates.

High-Intensity Headlight Washers: Headlights can quickly become covered in dirt, snow, and ice during winter driving, significantly reducing their effectiveness. High-intensity headlight washers use powerful jets of water to clean the headlights, ensuring optimal illumination. This is particularly important for maintaining visibility at night and in adverse weather conditions.

Adaptive Headlights: While often included in other packages, adaptive headlights are highly beneficial for winter driving. These headlights automatically adjust their beam pattern based on driving conditions, such as speed, steering angle, and road curvature. They can also adjust to compensate for rain, snow, or fog, improving visibility and reducing glare.

Heated Mirrors: Heated mirrors are a simple yet effective feature for improving visibility in cold weather. Heating elements are embedded in the side mirrors to prevent ice and fog buildup, ensuring a clear view of the surrounding traffic. This is crucial for safe lane changes and maneuvering in traffic.

Battery Management System: Cold temperatures can significantly reduce battery performance, making it difficult to start the engine. The BMW Cold Weather Package often includes an optimized battery management system designed to ensure reliable starting in cold weather. This system monitors the battery's health and adjusts charging parameters to prevent battery drain and maintain optimal performance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Is the Cold Weather Package worth it? For drivers in cold climates, the Cold Weather Package offers significant comfort and safety benefits, making it a worthwhile investment. It improves the driving experience in winter conditions.

• Which BMW models offer the Cold Weather Package? Availability varies by model year and trim level, so check the specific vehicle's options list. Many BMW models offer this package as an option.

• Can I add the Cold Weather Package after purchasing the car? Some features, like floor mats, can be added aftermarket, but others, like heated seats, are difficult and expensive to retrofit. It's best to order the package from the factory.

• Does the Cold Weather Package include winter tires? No, the Cold Weather Package does not include winter tires. These are typically purchased separately.

• How do I activate the heated features? Heated seats, the heated steering wheel, and other features are typically activated through buttons on the center console or through the iDrive system.

Conclusion:

The BMW Cold Weather Package is a valuable addition for drivers who live in areas with harsh winters. It provides a suite of features designed to enhance comfort, safety, and convenience in cold weather conditions. Consider this package if you frequently drive in cold temperatures, snow, or ice.