Tips on improving Fuel economy - 3.0i E53

[Elvis 3.0]

[Riggodeaux]

All good tips. I track mileage closely, and get between 18.5 to 20.5 in mixed city/highway driving with a pretty light foot on moderately 'hard' summer performance tires, properly inflated, [18"] wheels, only premium gas [though it always comes mixed with 10% ethenol]. My best tanks of gas, higher than this range, are long highway trips averaging 65-68 mpg. I'm in a well-maintained '06 3.0L with a stick .... I expect we all would get a mileage 'bump' if the Feds would do away with the ethenol subsidies, degrading the performance quality of what goes in the tank, but that's a political issue for another forum .....

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by scirocco

Although an old hand at Mercedes W126's, I am new to the BMW world. Just bought a 2001 E53 with a 6 Cylinder engine (3.0i).

I was wondering if members can provide me tips / mods / maintenance that can be done to improve the fuel economy.

Items like Tire Pressure, Air Filter, Spark Plugs would of course be in this list. Somebody told me that replacing the fuel filter also works but I find that difficult to believe. Can I do some mods / updates to the ECU? I do have the INPA Ediabas OBD software and cable.

Start with a baseline to see how your mileage compares with BMW specs. Then post your current mileage, percent city and highway, and your goal. I would do that before spending any $$$. You may already be at the max you can expect for the type driving you do in your environment.

[srmmmm]

With a nicely broken in 3.0L and automatic transmission, my combined mileage for the past 220,00 miles has been 19.2 mpg. Typical highway mileage is about 23 mpg staying at 70 mph, but city mileage can vary between 16 mpg and 19 mpg depending on trip length and ambient temperature. There's a lot of lubricating fluids that have to warm up in cold temperatures that can drag the fuel mileage down. The hotter it is outside, the better mine runs!

2002 X5 3.0 269,500 miles
2004 325i 117,700 miles

[campy82]

Increase tire PSI, remove roof rack cross bars if you regularly keep em on, no 20" boat anchor wheels; 17" are your friends, avoid rabbit starts (goosin' from stoplights) try n avoid stop/go traffic, refrain from using AC if possible, ditch excess weight and slow down... Not quite hypermiling but should net you a few extra mpg's