2010 x5 35d engine malfunction warning

[Armand]

Got this during moderate acceleration. The engine sign showed up on the panel. A subsequent message said something like reduce power ... I reduced speed and the warning went away. The car has only 300 miles on it. Any ideas?

[GoVols!]

I had this happen about a month ago. The message came on, dissapeared, then came back the next day. Dealer had to replace the fuel pump.

[Armand]

Originally Posted by GoVols!

I had this happen about a month ago. The message came on, dissapeared, then came back the next day. Dealer had to replace the fuel pump.

Thanks. I will contact the dealer tomorrow. I also read in a review by USA today that BMW told them the problem might also be due to bad fuel. I had just filled up My first tank at valero which is the nearest brand diesel to me. Now wondering if I should have driven a few more miles and Bought shell!

[Craig]

I only use premium diesel fuel in mine. Buy the best fuel and go where they sell a lot of diesel fuel. I've never seen that message on mine in 4800 miles. I did have to get the air temp. sensor replaced, took 3 months on back order. Now, I'm waiting on a fuel line heater that's been on back order for a month. I've been in contact with BMWNA to speed up the parts. This is unacceptable in my opinion for a new vehicle.

I drove around for 3 months with a check engine light...

Good luck!

Craig

[lovebmw]

Are there different grades of diesel? I thought after October last year, only super clean diesel is available.

[Armand]

Originally Posted by lovebmw

Are there different grades of diesel? I thought after October last year, only super clean diesel is available.

If you are in CA you cannot buy anything but the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel also labeled Diesel #2. Diesel #1 is for farm and off-road equipment. In 2011 this will become a federal law and you will not be able to buy non ULSD anywhere in the US for highway use.

Here is an update on the situation... Called BMW and talked to my CA who consulted the chief SA and told me that if this warning (Engine Malfunction - reduced power) does not happen again, the car has resolved the issue. Since I got the warning in a short burst of acceleration, I decided to take the car for a spin before going into the dealership. Boy, did I love that drive!!! This puppy is a rocket on wheels. Any how, as hard as I tried (still keeping to 3500 rpm max since this car is less than a week old) the warning did not reoccur. Also found out how to display warning messages using the idrive and it is not stored there. So, by the looks of things, it might have been a fluke. I'll be watching it for a while.

But in the process, I found something very interesting. I had already averaged 30.1 MPG on a 220 mile trip (mostly freeway and some heavy traffic city.) This by itself was darn impressive but after I did an extra ten miles of spirited driving including bursts of rapid acceleration, the average consumption jumped to 30.7! How can this be possible? I have a hybrid and if I did the same thing on it, the consumption would go to hell. If in deed what OB computer is reporting is true, burst and coast driving could actually give you the best mileage. I would not have guessed it. Most gasoline powered cars are very inefficient in high acceleration. Could diesel be different? what say the experts??

[Craig]

Originally Posted by lovebmw

Are there different grades of diesel? I thought after October last year, only super clean diesel is available.

There is here where I live. Regular diesel and premium diesel. Only one group of stations carry premium diesel here.

Craig

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Craig

There is here where I live. Regular diesel and premium diesel. Only one group of stations carry premium diesel here.

Craig

Do you Premium diesel sellers guarantee a minimum cetane level?

[kbp33]

Originally Posted by Craig

There is here where I live. Regular diesel and premium diesel. Only one group of stations carry premium diesel here.

Craig

Is there a way to tell by reading on the pump whether it's regular or premium? I asked my local pump guy this question, he seemed clueless.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by kbp33

Is there a way to tell by reading on the pump whether it's regular or premium? I asked my local pump guy this question, he seemed clueless.

I've only seen "premium diesel" in large metro areas. The easiest well to tell if diesel is "premium" is the price

Seriously, the stuff is pricier and stations that carry it, proudly display "premium diesel" signage. Perhaps to explain the higher price/gal..

Funf Dreisig