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Thread: MPG meter on the gauge cluster. Accurate?

  1. #1
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    MPG meter on the gauge cluster. Accurate?

    How accurate is the mpg meter on the gauge cluster?

  2. #2
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    Who cares. I'm more interested in the fun-o-meter.
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  3. #3
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    You bought an inline 6, screw gas.

  4. #4
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    Don't screw the gas, that inline six is capable of nearly 30 mpg highway. I thought I was in a hybrid when the OBC read that.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by jaguax View Post
    Don't screw the gas, that inline six is capable of nearly 30 mpg highway. I thought I was in a hybrid when the OBC read that.
    You get 30 mpg?!?!? My 328is get 21.6! what wrong with my car???????

  6. #6
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    Yea, I'm curious about this since there were times the meter read almost 35mpg. I was like wtf! Hell yes! haha.

  7. #7
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    ^ That has to be wrong, unless you were going downhill the whole time.

    But I believe they are factory rated at 29 MPG highway.

  8. #8
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    21.6 is that drivin' the streets or on the highway? i hope you're talkin' about the streets. i believe hes talkin' about 30 on the highway.

  9. #9
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    I pulled 30.2 MPG on a highway trip Sunday. It would have been higher if that damn SL500 would've stayed put and not tried to run away.

  10. #10
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    I have a feeling that it is reasonably accurate.

  11. #11
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    How accurate is the mpg meter on the gauge cluster?
    Is it right? WHO cares! It's fun to watch!
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  12. #12
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    Its probably pretty accurate. The OBC does an average rating of your fuel economy unless you reset it, then its instantaneous as long as your not changing speed or RPM. The gauge is probably relatively accurate because lets say it says your getting 40 on the freeway, the OBC is averaging that with the 20-25ish you get whle coasting in the city along with the 2-6ish you get while accelerating, which gives you about 18-20 if you do a lot of city driving and drive conservatively, and maybe like 35 if you reset it on teh freeway and only do freeway mileage.

  13. #13
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    I have a 97 328is. On the highway, mine shows 32 mpg. For my overall driving to and from work, it shows 29.3 mpg as the average between fillups. When I divide my mileage between fillups by gallons of gas added I get 27.5 mpg. I usually drive until my range is below 10 miles, the gas needle is exactly on the empty line and it takes 16 gal to fill. I got 435 miles from my last tank. I have been using 87 octane for my last 3 fillups. I am trying 89 octane now to see if the mileage would improve any since others say it will. If I get an extra 20 miles on the next tank, then it will be worth paying the extra $.10/gal.

    What is the most gas that anyone has added during a fillup? Like I said earlier, 16 gal is the most I have added.

  14. #14
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    my 318 takes 17.3 gallons all the time? and i only get not even 300 if im lucky.

    4 cylinder commuter?....so much for that idea.

  15. #15
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    Same here. I dont get much with my car either. I mean, its not bad but aren't we 318's supposed to be getting more? I'm heavy on the gas most times but still. Sometimes I question these 4 cylinders. I get around 300 miles to the tank.

  16. #16
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    The best method for calculating fuel economy is by filling up. recording miles and go to next fill up.
    The MPG gauge under the TACH gives a decent average based on RPMS.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by stratocaster View Post
    Same here. I dont get much with my car either. I mean, its not bad but aren't we 318's supposed to be getting more? I'm heavy on the gas most times but still. Sometimes I question these 4 cylinders. I get around 300 miles to the tank.
    318's don't give much more mpg than bigger engines. In some cases the larger engines are even more economical

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snizare View Post
    my 318 takes 17.3 gallons all the time? and i only get not even 300 if im lucky.

    4 cylinder commuter?....so much for that idea.
    Uh, regardless of what previous post said you should be getting way better gas mileage than that. Your car must have some mechanical issues. I get 320 to a tank with a 12 gallon fillup on my 325is.


  19. #19
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    From the owners manual: Not going to make the conversion from liters to gallons and kilometers to miles, but: At 120 km/h ( I guess that would be about 60) 318= 7,8l/100km a 325auto= 7,7l/100km

  20. #20
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    when i drive 100% locally i get 14mpg and when i drive 100% highway i get 28mpg


    328i RIP 4/23/2009

  21. #21
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    I just calculated my mpg the old fashion way(miles divided by gallons used) and I am getting 20.7 around town. I would say to that I am a pretty calm driver around town except for those cases when the stupid pep boy special civics want to race. Then I have to gun it and kill them. Then slow down and tease them then gun it again. Sorry just so much fun
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  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by flyingfarhad View Post
    You get 30 mpg?!?!? My 328is get 21.6! what wrong with my car???????
    My OBC also averages 21.6, but the MPG needle is easily into the 35MPG range in the highway with CC on. I always get a sick feeling when I accelerate and watch that needle drop below 10MPG.

    Lately, though, I have been paying close attention to the needle and getting a feel for what driving techniques make it jump and which ones make it fall... I am adjusting my driving style accordingly (still launch hard if a fart can is next to me at a stoplight! ) and I think it will payoff at the next fillup.

  23. #23
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    I get 23.3 on the OBC. When I reset one of the counters on the OBC while on the highway, I have gotten it up to 31.6.

    I am sure the reason I don't get better mileage is the amount of stop and go I have to do in city traffic.

  24. #24
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    I never care if its really accurate, I just use it when I'm trying not to burn gas. I've read something about a mod that helps with gas consumption but I can't remember where. Something about the car guzzling gas at the 1/4 mark instead of after the half way mark. damn weed.....

  25. #25
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    I think the needle follows the TPS throttle positioning sensor, and that is why when you let off the gas it shows such nice MPG numbers, the obc is more accureate.

    Either way compared to other cars, its just sweet to have

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