Hi guys,

I have a 2001 330i. There's something that I just don't "get". What is the purpose of the average mile-per-gallon and average mile-per-hour on the onboard (in-dash) computer? I can't find a way to clear or reset them. Are they the averages for the life of the car? As it stands, these are worthless displays, since they don't relay any usable information.

So, what are they for, and how do I use them?

BTW, I did read the Owner's Manual.

Thanks!

In my 530i and my X5 (both 2006) you simply scroll to the screen you would like to reset and hold down the BC button on the left stock and the display will reset. I hope I was helpful because I am pretty sure most BMW's work this way. :thumbup:

-e60lover

 

Push the button on the end of the stalk until you reach the number you want to reset (mpg, mph), press the button and hold and the value will reset.

 

Push the button on the end of the stalk until you reach the number you want to reset (mpg, mph), press the button and hold and the value will reset.

:stupid:

I find the integration time verrrrrrrry long on these settings. Not sure why you have to go 000's of miles for them to appreciate. I wish the time constant was shorter on the "average" reading as its seems like its the "average" of the last 100 tankfuls of gas...

Other than that I have no use for them, or for the stupid (in my view) gas consumption meter (I understand some people swear by it, but, honestly, if you can't work out that standing on the throttle will kill your gas mileage, you shouldn't be driving a car like this IMHO...YMMV of course.)

 

Personally, I'd rather have another tripometer than the useless avg speed meter. :thumbdwn:

 

I like the on board computer. I use it on long trips to calculate average speed and MPG. I just reset it when I want to use it.

As far as the gauge with the needle that shows MPG, I use it like an intake manifold vacuum gauge... and after changing spark plugs I noticed a slight improvement in MPG. It can also point out to problems with the engine if it starts to show poorer MPG. The more gauges the better as far as I'm concerned. I wish it had oil pressure and amp gauges as well.

 

Minor fun - if you set your cruise to a speed like 62, then reset your ave speed, you will see that the computer uses a different speed than your speedometer. The speedometers are set to read a little fast (unless you have increased the diameter of your tires).

 

on my '06 X3, according to the manual, the mpg shown on the trip computer is an average of the last 20 miles. so it's not an average over the entire life of the vehicle, iirc...

 

Hi guys,

I have a 2001 330i. There's something that I just don't "get". What is the purpose of the average mile-per-gallon and average mile-per-hour on the onboard (in-dash) computer?
Thanks!

The purpose of Average MPG is to see the consumption of fuel(in gallon) per mile. But this is an average reading(just like you mentioned) and calculated from the point of reset. In other words, say for example if you reset average MPG value right after you fill your tank and read it after you have burned the entire tank, the reading will tell you the average milage you got per each gallon of fuel you burned. You can test it. Reset both the trip odometer and the average MPG when you fill your tank and do not reset them till you finish the tank entirely. Then total miles(trip odometer reading)/MPG should equal to how much gallon you put into your tank when you filled it.
The gauge MPG gives you the instantaneous reading. It will tell you the fuel consumption for the given moment. So if you are reading 15 on your gauge MPG. It means that if you use your vehicle at that condition, which means that if you keep the same acceleration, you will make 15 miles per each gallon of fuel you burn.

The same explanation goes for the Average MPH. This calculates your average speed in terms of mph. But again it is the average since the time of reset. So if you reset it when you fill your tank and read it after you have burned the entire tank, it is your average speed for the whole tank of driving. And the speedometer does what gauge MPG does. It gives you the instentaneous speed reading. When you read 55 on your speedometer, it is your speep for that moment only, your average speed will be lot less than that.
Check it out and see for yourself.
I use them both all the time, and I like them very much.

 

To reset: push the BC button until you reach the value you want to reset, then hold down the BC button and the field will clear.

I find average mpg useful, but average speed is useless besides to figure out that your speedometer is reading fast. If you want useful info on gas consumption then use the instant mpg meter or unlock the whole plethora of hidden functions in the OBC.

 

To reset: push the BC button until you reach the value you want to reset, then hold down the BC button and the field will clear.

I find average mpg useful, but average speed is useless besides to figure out that your speedometer is reading fast. If you want useful info on gas consumption then use the instant mpg meter or unlock the whole plethora of hidden functions in the OBC.

Where can I find some info on these hidden functions of the OBC? Thanks.

 

Thanks, guys!

Now that I can reset the avg mph and avg mpg, I can think of plenty of uses!

Now, how about those "hidden functions of the OBC"?

 

Yeah! According to my BMW's OBC, I average 9.6 mpg this weekend on a tank of gas, and I wasn't stuck in traffic!!! Honestly, I never use the average speed - it was cute was the car was new in Europe (I average 55mph including all my time putting around Munich and Monaco), but I see no real use anymore. I do use the built-in speed warning - I have it set to 100mph to tell me I getting too aggressive, although after my last ticket, I need to set it back to a lower number like 80mph. Is that feature available on none-Nav equipped cars?

 

Thanks, guys!

Now that I can reset the avg mph and avg mpg, I can think of plenty of uses!

Now, how about those "hidden functions of the OBC"?

Do a search on roadfy or Bimmerfest. Oh wait, I did that for you:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90586&highlight=unlock+OBC

You'd be surprised at how much stuff the DME monitors.

 

I used the Hidden OBC functions, got my gauges to all light up/move around. Now a question, for 15, I get a series of 7 codes. In three of them, one of the digits flashes. How can i find out what these mean? And are any of them running a test while I sit there (like the ones with the digits going on and off?

For the Brake Degradation Sensor, I got 400. The document says 000 is good. My front brakes only have 24,000 miles on them. Any interpretations?

This is fun! I still want a BIM-Com. With my VAG-Com, I used to be able to tell when my knock sensor was going off, what my O2 sensors were reading, etc.