Gas Tips

[Dygital]

Hey gang, so gas isn't getting any cheaper. To be honest, I've even started to ponder about getting into a Prius, which I would LOVE to avoid doing. My '05 X5 4.4 with automatic transmission gets an average of 15MPG which is norm for it. I experimented with putting in 89 and 91 octane rating gas and can't say that I've noticed a significant difference, not while driving in the city anyway. On the freeway - yes, 89 gets 1-3 MPG extra.

I say we share our tips on getting the most mileage out of our cars i.e. driving habits, additivies, particular brand of gas, any aftermarket parts we can install - anything and everything is up for discussion that can help us save money on gas. Also, if you would like to share a hoax gas saver story - please do - warn the rest of us.

[Wagner]

Well.....this I don't understand. You buy a BMW and then can't afford the recommended fuel requirement? Don't buy the car then.

This has been discussed a billion times on here but to me, what sense does it make to risk a 6-10K motor because of 4 or 5 bucks a fill up???

[Quicksilver]

This subject has been covered literally a thousand times (do a search) and there is no answers for getting more milage out of your vehicle. Those of us who have them counted the cost when we purchased them so we keep driving and enjoying.....

[Michelle]

Originally Posted by Wagner

Well.....this I don't understand. You buy a BMW and then can't afford the recommended fuel requirement? Don't buy the car then.

This has been discussed a billion times on here but to me, what sense does it make to risk a 6-10K motor because of 4 or 5 bucks a fill up???

[KingCon]

I try and use cruise controll on the Hwy...somewhere between 70-75...this gives me around 19mpg. In the city, I just "mucho take it easssy" with the starts, and try and cost more.

I get around 430-450 miles out of a tank.

Anyone tried using the manual shifting, maybe that would help a bit.

[mrbmwx5]

here my tip!
sell it and buy you a moped it give you some where 40-70mpg.

[JCL]

Well, I think we could be a little more helpful. Just my opinion.

1) No aftermarket part is going to improve mileage measurably. Save your money. If the vehicle is in a reasonable state of tune, then that is it. If it needs a tune, then plugs and a clean air filter may help. Everything else is a hoax. That particularly applies to everything sold on ebay.

2) Correct tire pressure is important. Remove racks and other items that impede airflow.

3) If 89 doesn't drive differently, use it. If you can tell the difference, go back to 91. You can't hurt the engine with 89 if the fuel is clean. Remember that your 89 isn't necessarily the same spec as purchased by those who see a power reduction with the fuel they buy locally. Fuel varies widely across the country, which is why BMW specifies 91, to cover the variability. My best mileage ever, measured over a full tank, was on 89.

4) Now the part that matters. It is all about how you drive it. Drive ahead (watch what is coming up, and anticipate), avoid hard braking, avoid jack rabbit starts, keep to a moderate cruising speed, avoid warming the engine for more than 15 seconds before driving moderately until it is fully warmed up.

5) Finally, drive it less. Combine short trips for errands. Telecomute one day a week if you can. Ride a bike if the trip is under one mile.

I knew the mileage of my X5 when I bought it. That doesn't mean that I want to waste fuel or money. Those who don't think that they can improve their mileage by monitoring their driving habits can skip the above point 4.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by JCL

Well, I think we could be a little more helpful. Just my opinion.

1) No aftermarket part is going to improve mileage measurably. Save your money. If the vehicle is in a reasonable state of tune, then that is it. If it needs a tune, then plugs and a clean air filter may help. Everything else is a hoax. That particularly applies to everything sold on ebay.

2) Correct tire pressure is important. Remove racks and other items that impede airflow.

3) If 89 doesn't drive differently, use it. If you can tell the difference, go back to 91. You can't hurt the engine with 89 if the fuel is clean. Remember that your 89 isn't necessarily the same spec as purchased by those who see a power reduction with the fuel they buy locally. Fuel varies widely across the country, which is why BMW specifies 91, to cover the variability. My best mileage ever, measured over a full tank, was on 89.

4) Now the part that matters. It is all about how you drive it. Drive ahead (watch what is coming up, and anticipate), avoid hard braking, avoid jack rabbit starts, keep to a moderate cruising speed, avoid warming the engine for more than 15 seconds before driving moderately until it is fully warmed up.

5) Finally, drive it less. Combine short trips for errands. Telecomute one day a week if you can. Ride a bike if the trip is under one mile.

I knew the mileage of my X5 when I bought it. That doesn't mean that I want to waste fuel or money. Those who don't think that they can improve their mileage by monitoring their driving habits can skip the above point 4.

I guess I don't understand why you would risk anything for a savings of 3-5 dollars on a tank of gas If it was a difference of 10 or 20 a tank, then I'd see it.

[E5M1R]

Too mutch B***hing about gas price over there, you are welcome to EU and fill up at our price...
and as someone else said if you cant afford the gas you should not have the car

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Wagner

I guess I don't understand why you would risk anything for a savings of 3-5 dollars on a tank of gas If it was a difference of 10 or 20 a tank, then I'd see it.

Because there is no risk. If there was, it wouldn't matter to me whether I was saving $3 or 20$, both are inconsequential compared to engine damage.

If I had less power and lower mileage, then it would be safe to assume the timing was being retarded by the engine management system. That isn't dangerous, it is just not realizing the potential of the engine.

Talking about engine damage is just scare-mongering.