2012 BMW x5 diesel with low mileage x gallon

[gmorazan]

I am getting 14 mpg in my BMW x5 diesel, it is a 2012 with 85.000 miles
I have a code of glow plug and we are in winter
What do you thing is the problem have the car?
Is the glow plug the cause to get 14mpg? Is the winter ?
Should be another problem?

[jbash87]

Yes. Diesels run pretty cold compared to a gasoline engine. The glow plugs help warm the engine up until it reaches operating temp. Before it reaches operating temp diesel doesn't combust as efficiently as it should.

What's common on these engines is the thermostat(s) will fail open and cause the glow plugs to continuously be on trying to get the engine up to operating temp and eventually burn out.

Depending on your codes, and how long this has been an issue you might need to replace your thermostats, glow plugs, and glow plugs controller.

What are the codes? Not P codes, mind you. Actual BMW hex codes.

[Cnoro]

Originally Posted by gmorazan

I am getting 14 mpg in my BMW x5 diesel, it is a 2012 with 85.000 miles
I have a code of glow plug and we are in winter
What do you thing is the problem have the car?
Is the glow plug the cause to get 14mpg? Is the winter ?
Should be another problem?

did you check the preheating control unit of glows plugs?

a faulty or damaged preheating control unit is a very common problem in bmw e70

[gmorazan]

Originally Posted by Cnoro

did you check the preheating control unit of glows plugs?

a faulty or damaged preheating control unit is a very common problem in bmw e70

Thanks I will send code tomorrow

[RL18]

I wouldn’t make any assumptions on the thermostat being the cause of bad mpg until you know for sure your turbo vacuum system is 100%. Bad glow plugs are much easier to diagnose without a dpf and scr filter . Bad thermostat is very common though. If you have a scan tool it would be good to check to make sure your coolant temp gets up to atleast 180F. I think there’s also a way to get coolant temp on the gauge cluster when you first start the x5. I have a banks gauge in my x5

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by RL18

I have a banks gauge in my x5

Ohhhh, do you have a link for that pod? I don't see anything like that on their site. I've been looking for something for a little bit now.

[RL18]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Ohhhh, do you have a link for that pod? I don't see anything like that on their site. I've been looking for something for a little bit now.

A forum member 3d printed one for me. Sophisticated Redneck

Haven’t seen him active here for awhile though. He was supposed to be working on an intake for me too . I wish he would send me the files for his designs I bet I could make them on my 3d printer if he’s too busy

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by RL18

A forum member 3d printed one for me. Sophisticated Redneck

Haven’t seen him active here for awhile though. He was supposed to be working on an intake for me too . I wish he would send me the files for his designs I bet I could make them on my 3d printer if he’s too busy

Yeah, it's great... I have been looking at the snap on kind for the A pillar, but am imagining how it could get turned into a missile if the airbag deploys and let it be!

I could use the file and print as well if it gets posted!

[RL18]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Yeah, it's great... I have been looking at the snap on kind for the A pillar, but am imagining how it could get turned into a missile if the airbag deploys and let it be!

I could use the file and print as well if it gets posted!

I don’t think it would become a missile. The air bag deploys from the roof not the pillar.

I need a 3d scanner lol because then I could just scan the one I have 🤫

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by RL18

I don’t think it would become a missile. The air bag deploys from the roof not the pillar.

I need a 3d scanner lol because then I could just scan the one I have 🤫

Ohhhh, maybe the pillar would be fine then. I thought the airbag went top to bottom in it?

[gmorazan]

I will Change glow plug and thermostats tomorrow
Mechanic said that is heather air is working well don’t thing be thermostats problem
I will let you know
Thanks

[gmorazan]

Where can I buy this?

[RL18]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Ohhhh, maybe the pillar would be fine then. I thought the airbag went top to bottom in it?

It does but it’s not as aggressive as you think. It would simply just pop the bottom edge of the pillar trim. At most I think the pillar pod would fall off into the dash or pin itself to the windshield because it hooks from the top side and the bottom side just slides in.

This is the side crash test showing the pillar being deployed: https://youtu.be/nX_NV_FfdNk?si=h9kbSSyKb94cmLRi

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by RL18

It does but it’s not as aggressive as you think. It would simply just pop the bottom edge of the pillar trim. At most I think the pillar pod would fall off into the dash or pin itself to the windshield because it hooks from the top side and the bottom side just slides in.

This is the side crash test showing the pillar being deployed: https://youtu.be/nX_NV_FfdNk?si=h9kbSSyKb94cmLRi

Cool, I'm kind of inspired now! I was looking at the generic pods:
https://www.glowshiftdirect.com/univ...le-pillar-pod/

[Nyc Dito]

Originally Posted by gmorazan

I will Change glow plug and thermostats tomorrow
Mechanic said that is heather air is working well don’t thing be thermostats problem
I will let you know
Thanks

Tell your mechanic to change it anyway, even if only as a preventative measure. It will eventually need to be replaced.

[gilberjj]

Back on topic, I drive harder than most and I've never gotten under 20 MPG in my x5 35d. You've definitely got a problem... Are you down on power? I wonder if you have a turbo or boost leak issue making the vehicle less efficient?