My car for the passed few months has been having a rough cold start.
What is your question?
On a fresh cold start when I first start the car it goes to the normal 12-1500 rpm’s then drops down to 200 rpm almost shutting off then shoots to 2’000 rpm and then back to 1,000 till it goes below 1. Today I started it and it did the same thing but this time shut off so I started it again and it dropped in rpm and let go and shut off again I started it a third time and gassed it a little bit so the rpms don’t stay low and end up turning off. Why do I have this problem.
What makes this problem better or worse?
It’s only happens on a fresh cold start
How long has your 2015 BMW 535i xDrive had this problem?
RepairPal Certified shops can diagnose and repair your 2015 BMW 535i xDrive. They provide transparent pricing with a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on repairs and services.
Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team!
What you’re describing sounds like your BMW is having a little identity crisis every morning—starts strong, then nearly stalls, then overcompensates. Classic symptoms of a cold start air/fuel imbalance, and on a 2015 535i xDrive, there are a few usual suspects.
First, check for vacuum leaks—a cracked intake boot, leaky PCV valve, or even a loose clamp can throw off the air-fuel mix just enough to cause rough cold starts. Next up: the mass airflow sensor (MAF) or intake air temperature sensor could be dirty or failing, sending bad data to the ECU.
Also, don’t rule out carbon buildup on the intake valves—direct-injected engines like yours are prone to it, and it can mess with airflow at startup. If it’s never been cleaned, it might be time for a walnut blasting.
A scan tool that reads live data during cold start can help pinpoint if it’s fuel trims, misfires, or sensor readings that are out of whack.
If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554.
