[PerthBMW]

Hi everyone

I have a new 2010 325i M Sports Innovations sedan (I think I got that right) and I have just noticed today that the Energy Control meter under the RPM's goes to zero when I nearly stop under brakes (no pressure on accelerator) and then jumps up to 20++ L/100KM when I just stop and then immediately goes back to zero again in about 1 to 2 seconds. I have done about 1400KM and this has only just started happening.

Has anyone experienced this and do you know if there is a problem with the gauge or is this the way it is meant to work? I find it strange that it records massive fuel usage when the cars about to stop and I’m not applying any pressure to the fuel.

I see there are some posts on the USA site but no-one actually answers the question as to why and is it normal.

Appreciate your wise thoughts and advice....

[Jeef Beef]

If the 'energy control meter' you mean the instantaneous fuel consumption gauge, then what you describe is normal.

When your car is slowing down to a halt, you are traveling less and less distance. However, idling still requires a certain amount of fuel, so when your speed gets very close to zero, then your fuel consumption will skyrocket. Since fuel consumption is calculated as amount of fuel used divided by speed, then zero speed will equal a fuel consumption of infinite litres per 100km. Think about it, you're traveling zero distance but you are still spending fuel.

The reason the gauge shoots up before going back to zero is that you are using a lot of fuel relative to the distance you travel when you are idling along. Only when your car is almost completely stopped it realises you are no longer moving and manually sets the gauge to zero. Showing a fuel consumption of infinite when you are stopped is meaningless so it chooses to display a 0 instead.

The same thing happens to my digital gauge, it goes all the way to 39.5L/100km before returning to 0 as I coast to a standstill at the lights. It actually shows a "--L/100km" which means no reading. Hopefully this wasn't too confusing and makes sense. Welcome to the forums

[sbce90]

Energy control meter ey.. sounds cool. Jeef's explanation is pretty clear, maybe you jut didnt really notice it before 1400kms?

[David328M-Sport]

Don't pay too much attention to this meter. The E46 had its meter display 'infinite' fuel useage when the car was stationary, idling at the lights for instance. This did not mean anything in terms of fuel useage over and above normal stationary idling. What was explained to me was that BMW received many complaints about the implied very high fuel consumption when stationary, which, of course was not the case.

So for the E90, BMW force the meter to show zero fuel consumption in order to set people's fear of excess fuel use to rest.

Your meter should be performing as you just recently noticed. If it was not previously, then something was incorrect. Keep an eye on it (as we do anyway from time to time) and if it plays up, have it repaired. I don't see it as a serious issue, no matter what it shows.

Hope this helps.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Interesting that you have a instant fuel readout on a 6cyl E90 - I thought only 4cyls had the instant fuel readout and 6cylinders had the engine temperature gauge.

[orey]

you can change what is displayed by using pushing the thing below the indicator.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

He said the thing 'under the RPMs' so I believe he's referring to that 'instrument' opposite the fuel gauge as opposed to the digital info screen between speedo/tacho

[johnnydad]

Ours (E90 325i and E91 320d) have always behaved as described above.

Coupes may differ from sedans by having a temp guage IIRC?

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Interesting...

as a 6cyl coupe owner I've got a temp gauge.
diesel e90 I drove the other week had a instant fuel readout.

what's everyone else got?

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

Interesting...

as a 6cyl coupe owner I've got a temp gauge.
diesel e90 I drove the other week had a instant fuel readout.

what's everyone else got?

The E90's I've been in have a fuel readout, so does dad's X6. I know that all 1ers other than the 135i don't even have a gauge under the speedo, while the 135i has a oil temp gauge.

Stu is yours oil temp or water temp?

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Oil temp

[David328M-Sport]

My first BMW, the E36 320i had fuel meter - fun for a while
My next, the E46 323i had fuel meter - eh
My current E90 325i has fuel meter - boring

Each of my cars have been 4 door sedans.

[John_01]

I got the stupid IFCG (aka Energy control meter). I wish they would have put an oil temp gauge instead.

On the plus side, my fuel consumption also drops to zero while the car is stationary.

[bcoz]

The E90 330d also has the "fuel consumption display". To get the oil temp gauge, you need a 335i in E90s (E91s?), or a six-cylinder petrol 3er in E92s (E93s?).

[from E90 brochure]
Instrument panel with circular speedometer and rev counter displays, as well as fuel gauge and fuel consumption display, 335i with oil temperature display

[from E92 brochure]
Instrument panel with circular speedometer and rev counter displays, as well as fuel gauge and oil temperature gauge for six-cylinder petrol engines and fuel consumption display for four-cylinder petrol engines and diesel

[PerthBMW]

Hi

Thank you for your guidance and help - I dropped into Auto Classic here in Perth and they assured me the gauge was working properly and even offered to put it on the diagnostics machine and run a full check if I wanted. I took the Foreman's word and left it at that.

I am new to a BMW after owning a Holden Caprice so am aware more so of the differences and potential fuel usage so look at the meter more than perhaps I should. I am really happy with the car and glad I got it.

Again, thanks for your help it is really appreciated if for no other reason than to put my mind at ease....

Thanks

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by PerthBMW

Hi

Thank you for your guidance and help - I dropped into Auto Classic here in Perth and they assured me the gauge was working properly and even offered to put it on the diagnostics machine and run a full check if I wanted. I took the Foreman's word and left it at that.

I am new to a BMW after owning a Holden Caprice so am aware more so of the differences and potential fuel usage so look at the meter more than perhaps I should. I am really happy with the car and glad I got it.

Again, thanks for your help it is really appreciated if for no other reason than to put my mind at ease....

Thanks

You'll find the community to be extremely easy going and helpful, so feel free to post any other queries and we'll do the best to respond knowledgeably