Q: My 2008 BMW 328 with the six-cylinder engine and 82,000 miles runs beautifully. But once the temperature gauge reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the electric cooling fan comes on full and stays on, even given the cooler fall weather. Pulling into the garage, the whooshing howl of the fan is very loud. It takes 30 seconds for the fan to wind down from its stratospheric RPM. Is this normal operation?
E.W., Williamsburg, Virginia
A: Yes, Virginian, it is normal. The engine is happiest when running at the designed running temperature. In your BMW’s case that is about 200 degrees — even in cold weather.
