So, what happens when 47 year old kid falls in love with X5 2600 miles away?

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by upallnight

I carry one of these when I travel. Don't need to worry about a flat tire, running out of gas or getting a tow.

Yes, I have the medium coverage one with 100 miles.
Obviously, I still need to be somewhat prepared if I breakdown in middle of nowhere with no cell coverage.
But, I also have to be realistic in terms of how much I can carry with me.
I'll make list for my first stop (preferably Walmart) as there are tools, fluids, food water etc...

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

Yes, I have the medium coverage one with 100 miles.
Obviously, I still need to be somewhat prepared if I breakdown in middle of nowhere with no cell coverage.
But, I also have to be realistic in terms of how much I can carry with me.
I'll make list for my first stop (preferably Walmart) as there are tools, fluids, food water etc...

We drove last year from St. Louis to San Jose as long as you stay on the interstate you shoul be fine with cellphone coverage. Plenty of Walmarts along the way.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by upallnight

We drove last year from St. Louis to San Jose as long as you stay on the interstate you shoul be fine with cellphone coverage. Plenty of Walmarts along the way.

We're talking Idaho, Montana and South Dakota on my trip. I have to consider that coverage won't be 100%.
I just bought this to be on the safe side:

https://www.amazon.com/Next-EXIT-202.../dp/0984692185

[Bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by bmw540san

We're talking Idaho, Montana and South Dakota on my trip. I have to consider that coverage won't be 100%.
I just bought this to be on the safe side:

https://www.amazon.com/Next-EXIT-202.../dp/0984692185

Good call! Paper maps have saved my *ss in the middle of nowhere many times, on two wheels and four ... I almost always have one on a trip.

Chris

[crystalworks]

Paper map is a good idea. I usually make my route and download offline maps on Google maps though to avoid dead zones. As long as the phone has battery, it works. Paper maps don't have that limitation.

[FellowsheepTech]

In November 2018 took the 2003 3.0 from MD to CA for my son that was stationed at NAS Lemoore. Turned 200k as we left Castle Rock, Co & visited the Grand Canyon along the way. Only issue was the battery failed in the cold night in Flagstaff, AZ. and glad I had remembered the jump pack! Drove out with wife & youngest daughter, then flew home on miles. A year latter he transferred to NAS Oceana while I was in Greece, so Mom flew out & drove back with him.

[andrewwynn]

Remember if you fly a jump pack cannot go in luggage.

Paper map not terrible but use Google maps and pre-load the map for the next day of the trip while you have internet. Do it on a couple phones if you have more than one with. It will be able to find anything in the map area as well as recalculate route .

Roadside is included with my car insurance, but it's a whole lot faster to jump start myself or refill a flat tire after patching in 30 seconds..

One time my valve stem popped. Split wide open. The sound sounded like I picked up some brush in a spoke. I drove a few blocks until I could find a good place to check it out.

Tire looked a little q so I got out the pump to add some air start looking for a screw etc.

Pump gauge looked weird then it hit me gauge wasn't reading wrong it was accurately reading zero!

Run on flat tire looked like 15 psi when zero!

Most critical thing to figure out is if the fuel siphon pump is working. When it fails and it will, you only have access to 5/8 to 3/4 of your fuel.

Learn how to read test six from the hidden menu and watch the right tank values. It should stay at about 1.4L while the left tank goes all the way to zero.

If the right tank drops to zero pull over for gas immediately or sooner. Actually if it starts dropping at all get gas. You will be safe to drive any distance with faulty siphon but you’d have to stop for gas more often and it’s way better to know if the fuel system is working than assume it’s not and have to stop 70-150 miles early at each fill up.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by Bottomfeeder

Good call! Paper maps have saved my *ss in the middle of nowhere many times, on two wheels and four ... I almost always have one on a trip.

Chris

Yes, google oflline maps are great and all that but then if I'm really unlucky phone can die too. The only thing that can hurt paper are fire and water, hopefully I deal with neither on this trip.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Remember if you fly a jump pack cannot go in luggage.

Paper map not terrible but use Google maps and pre-load the map for the next day of the trip while you have internet. Do it on a couple phones if you have more than one with. It will be able to find anything in the map area as well as recalculate route .

Roadside is included with my car insurance, but it's a whole lot faster to jump start myself or refill a flat tire after patching in 30 seconds..

One time my valve stem popped. Split wide open. The sound sounded like I picked up some brush in a spoke. I drove a few blocks until I could find a good place to check it out.

Tire looked a little q so I got out the pump to add some air start looking for a screw etc.

Pump gauge looked weird then it hit me gauge wasn't reading wrong it was accurately reading zero!

Run on flat tire looked like 15 psi when zero!

Most critical thing to figure out is if the fuel siphon pump is working. When it fails and it will, you only have access to 5/8 to 3/4 of your fuel.

Learn how to read test six from the hidden menu and watch the right tank values. It should stay at about 1.4L while the left tank goes all the way to zero.

If the right tank drops to zero pull over for gas immediately or sooner. Actually if it starts dropping at all get gas. You will be safe to drive any distance with faulty siphon but you’d have to stop for gas more often and it’s way better to know if the fuel system is working than assume it’s not and have to stop 70-150 miles early at each fill up.

I have separate compact jump starter and compact air inflator. They are both quite small. I'm flying with alaskan Air and their website shows no restrictions either for carry on.
I'll have to look into it fuel siphon thing. Fuel pump is original on 17 year old / 133k miles X5 and I've never had any issues.
While I avoid running it low on gas, I've done it here and there with no problems.

[bmw540san]

Originally Posted by FellowsheepTech

In November 2018 took the 2003 3.0 from MD to CA for my son that was stationed at NAS Lemoore. Turned 200k as we left Castle Rock, Co & visited the Grand Canyon along the way. Only issue was the battery failed in the cold night in Flagstaff, AZ. and glad I had remembered the jump pack! Drove out with wife & youngest daughter, then flew home on miles. A year latter he transferred to NAS Oceana while I was in Greece, so Mom flew out & drove back with him.

Glad to hear your saga ended well.
According to Carfax, the X5 got new battery in 2013 at dealer so I'm almost tempted to buy a good one at X5 location local part store (buy it online now and pickup it up on Friday and just put it in the car but not install it immediately.
I'll have my trusty compact Fluke digital multimeter with me and I'll check the battery and V before and after start (alternator output).