Why does BMW not want you to open the hood?? - BMW i8

[@HeidiandFranny]

Hi Everyone, Today we take a forbidden peak under the i8 bonnet :) Just what is all the fuss about and why is it they didn't install a proper release?? Let's find out!

[@Pattonlr3]

Great video guys! I just bought a 2019 Roadster, but there was no charger. I live in the US. What charger would you recommend? Thanks!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Hi Bobby, First, how is the Roadster?? I think it is just the coolest. Are you liking it? I think pretty much any charger with the correct plug will work, but BMW dos sell them and you may even be able to find one on eBay or something. F

[@Pattonlr3]

@@HeidiandFranny - It's a really a fun car with a great sound system, tons of technology and very quiet on the highway even though it's a soft top. Not much trunk or inside storage space, but I'll make it work. I bought the i8 used and it only had 277 miles on it. It was advertised with a garage remote, but there are buttons on the rearview mirror. I bought a used BMW i8 110v charger on eBay and a new 220v charger on Amazon. Thanks for the recommendation! I recently retired and won't be putting a lot of miles on the car, but may consider the extended warranty and maintenance program. Any thoughts?

[@freerkderuiter8822]

This kind of reminds me of my parents' 2014 Volkswagen Golf. When you read the manual, they insist you call a Volkswagen technician in case your battery is low. Hardly rocket science to charge it, but they just want you to take the car to the authorized dealer. My 2007 BMW 325i has xenon headlights which apparently need 25,000 Volts. There is a warning sticker on them, but technically you could still make it a DIY job in case they need changing. Scary thought, though.

[@Thrakall]

Module in front of the coolant bottle is the ABS module. Sweet look under the hood I was curious what all is under there. Such a sweet car. Thanks for sharing.

[@NickMurray]

Unicorn eggs and a copy of the Mueller report?

[@simongchadwick]

Or maybe "Der geheime Leitfaden zu 911 elektrischen Problemen"?

[@blueberrycobbler]

Let’s keep politics out of the comments..I (and I’m sure many others) like to have a few places to go and escape on the internet and in life where we can enjoy other content without politics injected into everything.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

It's not the voltage that kills you, it's the current. I understand the thinking that they don't want you in there because of the high power lines but they could have designed shields for them to keep them "locked" away. The real reason is that they want you to take the car to a dealership for everything. Heck, they sell ICE cars without oil dipsticks...you need a BMW scan tool to find out the oil level in the car. I guess they figure anybody who can afford one of their "ultimate driving machines" also has no interest in maintenance and can afford to have the dealership do everything.

[@randyallen2771]

Just one more reason not to buy a BMW car or motorbike, I feel l'm being milked like a cash cow.

[@johnblunt1834]

It gets worse, Tesla insist any paintwork be repaired at a dealership. As you say, they want the money.

[@kevinsvideodump]

Yup, and there are Mercedes-Benz engines with no oil drain plug -- to do an oil change on those, you have to use a "topsider" oil extraction pump.

[@nitroforthewin8845]

Chris Freemesser technically they go hand in hand. Volts with little current won’t do anything. For example, static electricity can be upwards of 50,000 volts and it won’t do much because it has no current. Current with little voltage won’t even get through your skin. So for example a car battery certainly has enough amperage to kill you but 12 volts isn’t enough to push through your body

[@deemdoubleu]

@@nitroforthewin8845 Well that's' a little misleading. Do you wear a steel band watch? Don't try wearing it while working on 12V car electrics. If you accidentally short out a high ampere circuit with your watch band or wedding ring etc, you could end up welding your watch to your wrist. People have ended up with 3rd degree burns. That's pretty dangerous too.

[@lamaludwig1470]

If this bonnet construction is the future, than I'm (even more) happy with my 2 E46s.

[@Ty-ri7dy]

So... I'm supposed to drive my car that might be low on coolant down to the dealership to have them check the coolant? Really sounds like a case of engineers vs. bean counters.

[@mackilocious]

Being a BMW enthusiast as well as owning one, I’m Dam sure is going to want to know what those liquid reservoirs are!!! Great educational piece...

[@frankr111th]

I must really be old, I can't imagine a car company discouraging you from looking under the hood of your car 🥺

[@HeidiandFranny]

Times have changed, I know.

[@reeeek2017]

Thanks for showing me the mystery under that hood

[@idrivearttabletennis]

I think it's good that they made it hard to access for the very reason you explained. We've owned 3 generations of the Toyota Prius now and opening the hood is easy (too easy?) and there you see all the high voltage lines - we stay away from those. Great video. Thanks for posting!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Interesting.

[@idrivearttabletennis]

@@HeidiandFranny I figure limiting access to opening the hood (bonnet) is really for two reasons 1)safety, and 2)manufacturer wants the car owner to take the vehicle to authorized service center for any and all service. It really is interesting that Porsche and many other manufacturers still make checking fluid levels and/or adding fluids easily accessible to the owner and yet some manufacturers no longer do that.

[@ausmartin1]

Once a vehicle is off high voltage is cut by the vehicle at the main battery, so unless you are charging it is fairly safe. Not sure on i8 but on GM products if a darwin award person starts messing around like removing covers not only will it disconnect the main battery, but require a tow trip to the dealer for a reset and rightly so... because if a person who has correct knowledge would not activate built in safety features. Ev's / hybrids are pretty clever.

[@idrivearttabletennis]

@@ausmartin1 Good to know about the GM. On the Prius models I have or have had, I'm not sure anything automatically disconnects. Sure are a lot of high voltage warning labels to not touch or mess with the bright orange cables even though you can easily reach (touch) them. You may be fairly safe if the ignition is off (since the engine will charge the battery) and not plugged in to AC (for plug-in hybrids) - but I'm not sure. All I know is my mechanic and I just don't mess around those bright orange cables just in case.

[@bobjones9600]

@@idrivearttabletennis better stupid than dead. But it's not that complicated. Wish someone could explain it to me

[@sportscarnut]

Now we need to see the engine compartment and storage area. :)

[@HeidiandFranny]

Ok

[@negritorican]

Best video on youtube explaining whats under the hood. Seen other videos of guys just saying...oh look a 12 volt battery is all thats in here. You actually went into depth of everything including the owner manual not telling you jack...great job

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks so much!

[@sw651]

The car looks so different from anything else on the road. They should have a small hood opening for access to fluid reservoirs, but still keep the average person from touching something shocking.

[@gjsthreefoursevinoneone8945]

BMW has a propensity to protect the vehicle from the owner.. Our 2006 750i had no transmission oil level dipstick. In fact if you needed to add fluid a special tool was required to remove the fill cap (at $95/qt.). I learned BMW did want the average person to add non specific trans oil which would destroy the trans or overfill the trans that would also damage the trans. I would guess the same with the coolant fluid. Coolant may be more specific due to cooling requirements of different components but the use of distilled water is probably mandatory (if used at all) in the BMW's due to corrosion issues. Probably more important since corrosion is not good small small passages that I suspect the I8 has all over.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Probably.

[@erica8165]

The module on the passenger side in front of the coolant reservoir is the ABS control module. The i8 has electric power steering so the reservoir referred to that might contain the fluid probably isn't.

[@junkman6456]

Your i8 needs soon new brake pads. Guess it has still this built in at the factory. The front hinges at the bonnet secure it in place at higher speed bc the airflow thru adopts a high pressure against the bonnet. This is the difference from bad to good engeneering. You know. ;)

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Once that pull string breaks (and you can be sure that it will)...you are looking at a very expensive bill from BMW. This is of course by design. No thank you. Great video though.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks Mac, but it is a very strong steel cable. I seriously don't think it will break any time soon, but I get your drift about access. This car may be an exception in that it follows the prototype carefully and they may not have been bothered to completely finish that area. BUT, the new 911s don't really have any access and I think cars will continue this direction. Full electric will have less maintenance so maybe not as big of an issue. F

[@harold6863]

There are HV cables and components under there is primary reason also it’s easy to damage the tip of the bonnet of not lifted carefully.

[@PistonetSavon]

The break module is the DSC system with the ABS and the systeme who help you to start on a climb situation. I have the same in my BMW Z4M (sory for my english)

[@HeidiandFranny]

It is fine (your english).

[@stevereilly]

Watch those corners they are known to crack. Also lift out and up holding with two hand top and bottom :)

[@johnblunt1834]

It was interesting to see under there. Four hundred volts is a huge amount of energy Franny, with that and a high amperage, plus being D.C., fluids spilled or you touching anything nasty would be the end, or at least, quite a fire. Please please be careful!

[@danielayala9441]

Middle bottle is coolant for high volt temp

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks!

[@pat_freeman]

I had the hood up on mine when I met with old gear-head friends last night. They all drive Mustangs so they were very intrigued by the i8. We popped the hood, together. I think the cap in the center at 3:50 is the coolant reservoir for cooling the batteries. I was able to see the bottle from an angle and it was the same color coolant that was in that round expansion tank. The power steering should be electrically driven, so no need for a reservoir of fluid. Also, lift and lower the hood, again, be sure to not only lift at the back of the hood but also the front (put fingers under the hood near the headlight) because the front of the hood may ding against the grille and bend. This is in the TIS: www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/i12-i8-cou/repair-manuals/17-cooling/17-11-engine-oil-cooler-mounting-parts/1VnXjku4ZE

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks for the info!

[@dionsharpp6192]

Actually learned something today! Loved this video.

[@davidviner4932]

You call it a bonnet, that's the English word for the hood, I like that you are speaking to me in English. Or is it the trunk, hard to tell with such a weird looking car, anyhow the trunk would be the boot so I'm sure it's the bonnet, or hood :)

[@micksterboone4517]

Best-looking Bimmer ever? Awesome car!

[@grandcalifornia8410]

Certainly it is not the prettiest. The front doesn’t cut the mustard for me

[@rashad9014]

3:46 this is the secondary cooling system reservoir which responsible for cooling high voltage baterries snd tun through two separate radiators. P.S.: the is no fuild needed for the power steering as it's fully electric!!

[@HeidiandFranny]

Thanks! Absolutely right :)

[@camc545]

Or you could just play Csr2 where you can open it up, still pretty interesting.

[@CambodiaShareFeeds]

great for your discover.

[@theoa7882]

Pearls and knowledge!! You are excellent!! Great video!!

[@egads2]

They're obvious "Chauvin-Latched."

[@maidenrulz73]

...”I found a-hole” 😂

[@cravatetome9335]

Wow now everybody who have Netflix know from where they’ve there opening sound 😂😂

[@Bendoverz34]

What??

[@bluelineclapper2523]

how do you get in an i8 after the aircooleds

[@HeidiandFranny]

Because we already have three.

[@recyclespinning9839]

What is the coolant for in an electric vehicle? Is it just for the air conditioner?

[@HeidiandFranny]

Well, remember, this car is a plug in hybrid and not just electric. So all the things you would need it for a gas are the same (engine etc). You also need it for battery cooling. Hope that helps.

[@Jerry-nk8ee]

Keep up the good work great to finally see some women involve d with cars

[@dancoulson6579]

Stuff like this makes me afraid of the future. What's next, lamps with non-replaceable bulbs? It's getting ridiculous.

[@HeidiandFranny]

It can be crazy.

[@edwynstapel3033]

I wonder where the fluids for the windshield washer goes?

[@HeidiandFranny]

at the base of the windshield - passenger side...

[@ausmartin1]

Ev's are not so scary, only if the vehicle is ON or plugged in then totally agree not touch HV lines, connectors. It is not so scary as long as you follow basic safety / commonsence, my EV and I are all good.

[@johnspecht72]

Another awesome video! I seem to recall that some(all?) TVR's required you to remove the body to get to the engine.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Wow!

[@Reendonegan]

As a fortunate owner of a TVR Chimaera and now an i8, I can confirm that engine access to the TVR was easy and routine servicing was simple too. One thing I learned was that removing the TVR exhaust made oil changes very much easier. Both extraordinarily wonderful cars in their own unique ways. I miss the TVR (4 litres of v8 grunt in a relatively light body), but I don't miss it trying to kill me every time it rained. In the sunshine, however, it was magic with an engine soundtrack like no other. Keep up the great videos ladies!@@HeidiandFranny

[@daverowley2021]

Wow that's so interesting that the hood latch is hidden! Never heard of that on a car before!! This car is so different, especially for Franny that knows how to fix most anything on a car. Did Heidi say a-hole?

[@HeidiandFranny]

Yep!

[@bobjones9600]

Was it the right hole? No. Her's was the Left.

[@moorechocolate]

Awesome vid. Love the doors and line of the i8

[@Nord_Mann]

Frederick Moore yeah! Where’s the luggage storage?

[@bobjones9600]

Yea Keep lookin'

[@hatedknight]

Nice video :) Missed watching been kinda crazy around here :)

[@HeidiandFranny]

Missed your comments. I understand busy!

[@dmn2273]

BMW i8: NO MEMORY S E A T S ! ! !

[@moacirbarceloz7548]

Thanks!

[@pb3033]

OK for the security, but aren't they supposed to label the various caps ?

[@HeidiandFranny]

One would think.

[@bobjones9600]

No user serviceable parts

[@Evapors]

love the video! Thank you!

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

Great videos. Well isn't that just special? ;) Well done

[@gaijinsumo]

Its the ABS unit

[@Babyrocko1908]

Where is the windshield washing fluid reservoir?

[@HeidiandFranny]

There is a small access cover in the front cowl on the right side.

[@jcd221]

ok that will be $3,000 to put back on the hood

[@andrewf7822]

Where is the screen wash bottle ?

[@HeidiandFranny]

There is an access port on the front cowl at the base if the windshield that allows access to the bottle.

[@hudsojt]

Where is the Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir?

[@HeidiandFranny]

There is an access port on the front cowl at the base if the windshield that allows access to the bottle.

[@edwinthompson159]

You rebels! -- For shame... I bet you two have removed the labels on all of your mattresses as well...

[@HeidiandFranny]

We are! Not the mattresses, but shirt and pant labels!

[@michaelcalkins8648]

You would have to be really stupid and try really hard to come in contact with high voltage under the hood. Everything is very well insulated. That being said, the orange "connector" on the firewall just inboard of the 12-volt battery is the high-voltage system disconnect switch that MUST be used to isolate the traction battery before servicing any other electrical components on the car.

[@brianpeterson5890]

Showing some love frome life of palos

[@MrErikw26]

Because they don't want anyone but a BMW technician fucking around under it.....

[@HeidiandFranny]

Too late!

[@antoniogriffin7135]

So bottom line.. Look forward to spending more on repairs than the actual car.

[@Thelastairbendy]

📺📺📺 📺📺📺📺

[@ardugeek959]

Clearly this person has no idea of working on cars. 2:15 that is the abs module. NOT regen braking.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Clearly...

[@roberttx175]

Weirdest video ever

[@johndouglas4528]

Do you have to take this POS to the dealership to refill the windshield wash?

[@anthonylee2158]

BS talks

[@bilalkhattak277]

Very bad engineering, first i was impressed from the car but its not long term or managable car.,, not praticle car.

[@HeidiandFranny]

I disagree. The car is very well engineered. Remember this is very close to the concept car and was used by BMW as a proof of concept. It stands well as a fun and very usable car. The reason they don't want you under the hood is to keep you away from the high voltage circuitry. Ask Rich Rebuilds how easy it is to work on a Tesla... The i8 is a fantastic car!