Milage Test, Warning Icon, and Dogs in Vehicle

On a road trip from Ashland, VA to Palm Harbor, FL, on November 28, 2009, 865 miles, of which all but about 40 miles were on interstate highways, I averaged 69.9 mph, and 25.2 mpg.

While in Virginia, I started getting a symbol flashing on the instrument panel. It was a triangle with a snow flake inside. I couldn't find anything in the Owners Manual, so I called BMW roadside assistance. I described it to the technician, who told me I needed anti-freeze, and if I felt comfortable enough to do it, I should buy some and put it in. Instead, I drove to the local BMW dealer in Short Pump, where it was quickly checked and I was told that it didn't need anti-freeze; it is a warning light that comes on for about a second at about 37∘ to warn of possible road icing.

I also discovered that when leaving dogs in the vehicle, one must press the lock button twice to disable an internal sensor; otherwise any movement inside the vehicle by the dogs triggers the alarm.

1,000 mile trip

I left Palm Harbor Sunday driving to Virginia Beach and then to the Richmond, VA area. The trip so far has been about 1,000 miles, mostly at fairly high speed on I-75, I-10, and I-95. Milage has been a disappointment, as the overall average was 24.0 mpg, far less than the rated 26 mpg.

Saturday I will drive from Ashville back to Palm Harbor, about 780 miles, mostly all on the interstates, and will check the milage again.

4 Month Report

I have had the vehicle for a little over 4 months, and about 3,000 miles. I am averaging a little over 21 mpg around town, but next week I will take the first substantial trip, about 780 miles each way.

I like the way it handles, but there is a definite downside to the electronics. There is a long delay from the time I start the engine in the garage until I can get the back up camera and the parking sensors to come on. The result is that I back out of the garage without the aid of the back up camera. Just as aggravating is the fact that the parking sensors don't stay on, so when pulling into a parking space I have to push a button on the dash and then wait for the sensors to come on.

The navigation screen is smaller than it should be, since the display is always split between the navigation screen (or other iDrive screen) on the left, and a smaller display on the right.