Status report : X5d in cold weather

[cetane]

No winter-related issues with my X35d either. I did have to add a gallon of DEF because the "No start in 999 miles" message came on even though the dealer filled it up in late October. Hopefully that will last until the next oil change. The owner's manual states that it may be necessary to add DEF in cold temps due to its physical properties. Since it's a heated tank, maybe some of it just evaporates? But other than that I'm surprised how quickly and easily it starts even in really cold temps.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by cetane

Since it's a heated tank, maybe some of it just evaporates?

Only the small reservoir is heated. The large reservoir can freeze.

If the large reservoir freezes, the smaller one will not get replenished until it warms-up enough for the large reservoir to thaw-out.

[cetane]

Originally Posted by Penguin

Only the small reservoir is heated. The large reservoir can freeze.

If the large reservoir freezes, the smaller one will not get replenished until it warms-up enough for the large reservoir to thaw-out.

Thanks for the clarification. What is the capacity of the small reservoir? Also, when adding DEF, does it go into the small reservoir only or can it overflow into the large one?

[beantowncruiser]

I have about 1500 mi on my 2011 X5d and I can't express how much I love this vehicle. I was nervous when we went on a 10 day cruise and left the X5 in a hotel parking lot in sub-zero weather with two snowstorms. I was afraid that it might not start due to dead battery and/or frozen diesel tank. The day that we returned from the cruise ( kicking and SCREAMING ) the temp was in single digits. It started like a charm, and it felt sooo good to be behind the wheel of this awsome beast after not driving for that amount of time!

Before the weather turned really cold, I was averaging about 23mpg, now I'm getting 22.1 with normal city driving and 70-80 on the highway.