MPG Bar goes to 20 when idling

[mrblonde]

Hello,

When I come to a stop at a light, my MPG needle goes all the way up to 20 and then rests back down below 50. the engine doesn't rev or anything but it seems odd as it didn't always happen before. does this happen to anyone else?

Thanks!

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Go to your dealer and make them replace the sensor if it's that irritating, otherwise just deal with it.... just another BMW quirk.

 

[codex57]

err, you mean down to 20? Here's what happens to mine when I come to a stop. As I'm slowing ot a stop, the needle starts swinging lower and lower (to the right). I suppose it ends around 20mpg or so. It's at the very worst that one instant I've actually stopped. But, when I'm fully stopped for a second or so at least, then it'll swing back to over 50mpg.

 

[olcrazy1]

mine did the saem thing, I took it to the dealer, they re-programmed the instrument cluster and it never did it again.

 

[rickmon33]

err, you mean down to 20? Here's what happens to mine when I come to a stop. As I'm slowing ot a stop, the needle starts swinging lower and lower (to the right). I suppose it ends around 20mpg or so. It's at the very worst that one instant I've actually stopped. But, when I'm fully stopped for a second or so at least, then it'll swing back to over 50mpg.

that happens to mine also. i never really thought anything of it. must just be a little glitch or something.

 

[bmwrocks]

Checked mine today and it does the same thing, almost. Mine is intermittent and does different things.

Most of the time it does this: When slowing down (no accelerator input), mine swings left near 50, sometimes into the zero region. Then when I am just about stopped, it swings right again to near 20. Then when I am stopped, it swings all the way buried to the left (zero) and stays there until I take off again.

 

[JTravick]

I never use the mpg guage because of the way it swings like cee saw. I know what it measures and all...but in what application is it useful? I always wondered that?

 

[dm_longhorn]

i don't know what I'd do w/out my gauge...

well... probably forget it's there until I come across another thread like this... cya!

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I never use the mpg guage because of the way it swings like cee saw. I know what it measures and all...but in what application is it useful? I always wondered that?

It's just one of BMW's fancy gadgets that make the dash look more "clustered/sophisticated". BMW assumes their customers like a lot of dials, features, controls. I know I do.

 

[mrblonde]

hey y'all. thanks for replying. i haven't checked the board in a bit. i thought the mpg thing was kind of useless but i found it came in handy for long drives (i have a manual) when i'm cruise to see if i'm in the best gear. 6th doesn't always give you the best mileage (depending on the situation). but i could get almost 35 mpg on the highway between philly and boston.

 

[bmwrocks]

35 mpg is amazing. I get 31-32 on the highway averaging 80mph. Hell, my 4-banger '03 Corolla gets 38 on the highway!!! It also gets 28 in the city though. hehehehe.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

35 mpg is amazing. I get 31-32 on the highway averaging 80mph. Hell, my 4-banger '03 Corolla gets 38 on the highway!!! It also gets 28 in the city though. hehehehe.

That's on thing I like that about BMW's I6 in the 3 series.... the 225hp 3 ltr engine gets nearly the same gas mileage as a low 100's hp 4 cylinder car.... and it's a ton more fun and comfortable to drive. Wish the mileage gap was that close in the city though... that's when the BMW starts eating gas, and the beater wins.

 

[epj3]

That's on thing I like that about BMW's I6 in the 3 series.... the 225hp 3 ltr engine gets nearly the same gas mileage as a low 100's hp 4 cylinder car.... and it's a ton more fun and comfortable to drive. Wish the mileage gap was that close in the city though... that's when the BMW starts eating gas, and the beater wins.

Not to mention smoother, and better sounding