F25 X3 35i Long Distance Drive

[PLV]

Hey guys,

So, planning a drive down to Cape Town in the X3 35i towards the end of the year...

Just checking if there's anything other than the obvious to try help maximise fuel savings on the trip? I want to try see how low she can go...

1. Check tyre pressures - I usually go for around 2.5/2.6 (too soft means more rolling resistance, means more fuel consumption)... so nice and hard - R0...

2. Start the trip with a fuel system treatment - for the long run to make sure everything gets a nice clean for optimal performance... usually Liqui Moly fueld system treatment for like R100...

3. I was even contemplating a race chip for the fuel saving option - but not really that keen on these... but that would not make financial sense, but an interesting test... R6k...

4. Will have a full family and fully packed... but nothing on the roof... will keep windows closed and probably aircon on all the way... (mostly)...

5. Will probably set the cruise control for 120 most of the way... will try do a chilled drive down... and will try hold back on overtaking every and anything....

6. Won't be towing anything...

Anything else you guys tend to do over and above the obvious??

Thanks!

:tiptoe::thumbs:

 

[RonCT]

Make sure the air filter is clean - blow it out with pressurised air when you (over)inflate your tyres

Make your car more aerodynamic. Remove roof racks, tape up the gaps between panels (Top Gear style)

Reduce unnecessary weight

 

[yush1]

The biggest factor will always remain the driver. Smoothness is the key. Dare I even recommend Eco-Pro mode. :fencelook:

 

[Mamboza]

It is very difficult to cruise to Cape Town..for me at least. Once you go past Colesberg and driving through the dry karoo it is tempting to say f#@ it and let the horses loose..lol

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[PLV]

Make sure the air filter is clean - blow it out with pressurised air when you (over)inflate your tyres

Make your car more aerodynamic. Remove roof racks, tape up the gaps between panels (Top Gear style)

Reduce unnecessary weight

Good idea on the air filter. I will keep that in mind. I may even fit a new one. Need to check it out...

Uhm... don't think I will do the topgear thing though... lol!

:thumbs:

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The biggest factor will always remain the driver. Smoothness is the key. Dare I even recommend Eco-Pro mode. :fencelook:

Hmmm.... I can be pretty smooth... sometimes....

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It is very difficult to cruise to Cape Town..for me at least. Once you go past Colesberg and driving through the dry karoo it is tempting to say f#@ it and let the horses loose..lol

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

I completely hear you... been there, done that... but only on the day drive... this may be a night drive...

(It can get pretty bland past Colesburg... lol)

:fencelook:

 

[sash]

what are your recommended pressures on the door sticker?

The only other thing i would recommend in terms of driving style, is to coast down a hill as much as possible and start to accelerate just before th eincline begins. If you know the road, it helps to know when to let off the gas earlier if there is a downhill ahead ( i hope that makes sense)

 

[Rayzor]

Increase cruise speed to 140km/h you might find it more economical around that speed :smilebounce:

 

[DoctorJ]

Increase cruise speed to 140km/h you might find it more economical around that speed :smilebounce:

This was definitely the case with my e39 540i years ago.

 

[yush1]

Increase cruise speed to 140km/h you might find it more economical around that speed :smilebounce:

This was definitely the case with my e39 540i years ago.

In that case why not make it 160 :biglol:

 

[SlimmJimm]

Increase cruise speed to 140km/h you might find it more economical around that speed :smilebounce:

This was definitely the case with my e39 540i years ago.

In that case why not make it 160 :biglol:

My e92 n55 335i is most economical at 150km/h......no jokes lol, got around 8.7l/100km with an almost full load and the aircon switched on for my journey from JHB to Secunda and back.

 

[yush1]

Increase cruise speed to 140km/h you might find it more economical around that speed :smilebounce:

This was definitely the case with my e39 540i years ago.

In that case why not make it 160 :biglol:

My e92 n55 335i is most economical at 150km/h......no jokes lol, got around 8.7l/100km with an almost full load and the aircon switched on for my journey from JHB to Secunda and back.

Generally you get the best economy at the rpm the engine is making peak torque.

 

[tman]

what are your recommended pressures on the door sticker?

The only other thing i would recommend in terms of driving style, is to coast down a hill as much as possible and start to accelerate just before th eincline begins. If you know the road, it helps to know when to let off the gas earlier if there is a downhill ahead ( i hope that makes sense)

^ this.

One can even accelerate slightly on a downhill as to enter the uphill with more momentum. The theory is that the increased petrol used for the acceleration downhill won't be as much as the fuel needed to get over the next hill.

You need to know the roads pretty well to implement this strategy effectively though, there is no use to enter a uphill section at 150km/h if you need to brake for a sharp turn.

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[PLV]

I also have the fresh gearbox oil, as well as a brand new battery now - so I am hoping that those two will do some good and make a difference...

:tiptoe:

 

[PLV]

Hey guys... compliments of the new year to you all! Hope you all have a fantastic 2019!

So, my above mentioned lengthy trip has come and gone... so thought I would give a quick update...

Firstly... just before leaving there were a few issues with the N55 that needed dealing with... and I am glad to say that it was all sorted and the car performed flawlessly for the entire trip! (Many thanks to help of Gavin, Danny and Richard for their input, advice and help! You guys are flippin' fantastic!). Also, great stuff to BMW Northcliff who replaced the water pump again for free, seeing as their initial installed pump was faulty and as it turns out the reason for the error codes, poor performance and bad fuel consumption leading up to the trip!. They were really good about it all.

raise:

Before the trip, I put in a bottle of fuel system treatment (Liqui Moly), checked the air filter, tyre pressures, etc, etc. During the trip, the aircon was on pretty much 95% of the time.

Next, the trip down to Oudtshoorn (from Joburg) was a pretty uneventful almost 1,200km and relatively frugal 8.8l/100km going pretty much on the speed limit, using cruise control, all the way. Just stopping to top up the tank, a leg stretch and a cappuccino at every 1-Stop on the way.

I was pretty happy with that consumption, and was getting a good 8.5l for the most part, with a slight increase in the last (hotter) morning part of the drive.

Then there was lots of local, Cape driving, Paarl, Wellington, Durbanville, Waterfront, Simon's Town, etc. and then back to Joburg... so a total of almost 3,700km to get a combined 9.8l/100km for the entire trip.

I took a million pics, but not too many of the car... will sift through them and try add some of the trip...

Thanks again to the guys for their help!

:thumbs:

 

[Twinz]

Well done. That must have been an epic and enjoyable drive. :bravo: