XBimmers.com | BMW X6 Forum X5 Forum
 
TireRack





Go Back   XBimmers.com | BMW X6 Forum X5 Forum > BMW X5 Forums > General BMW X5 (E70) and X5M Forum (2006-2013)

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-15-2017, 01:40 PM   #1
wjibby
New Member
wjibby's Avatar
United_States
12
Rep
9
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW X5 3.0si
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Post Falls, Id

iTrader: (0)

Question Anyone look into changing the rear end ratio to improve gas mileage ??

Anyone out there ever thought about this ?? Is it even possible to purchase a different gear set that would improve gas mileage ?? I'm talking about a 3.0 si X5 model.
Regards
wjibby
__________________
Can't upload a decent picture because of your restrictions on size. So until I can find a way to post a good picture I will just leave this comment here.
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2017, 01:57 PM   #2
mitch808
Captain
107
Rep
994
Posts

Drives: 2012 X5 35i
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Since the car is AWD, you can't change just the rear diff alone. Final drive is determined from the final drive of the axles putting power to the ground. You'd have to change the front too. Then figure out if the transfer case ratio can stay or not.

About the only option for you is to change cars. Let's face it the X5 is not known for good mileage. Or somehow remove more than 1000lbs from the car, which might give you a 3-5MPG bump.
Appreciate 1
m5james429.00
      06-16-2017, 10:51 AM   #3
deansbimmer
Mporium BMW
deansbimmer's Avatar
3741
Rep
2,907
Posts

Drives: 2011 E93 M3
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: DFW, Texas

iTrader: (17)

Garage List
1988 BMW M3  [0.00]
2013 BMW M3  [0.00]
2011 X5M  [0.00]
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
If you're complaining about economy in a 3.0 X5 then you should probably look into getting a hybrid or small minivan, as the 3.0 is as low as its going to get when it comes to fuel usage.

Changing the gar ratios is not a a viable option in the X-Drive cars. For as much as it would cost and the net increase in fuel mileage, you could probably buy 5 years worth of fuel.
Appreciate 1
m5james429.00
      06-16-2017, 01:24 PM   #4
jersey john
Private First Class
jersey john's Avatar
United_States
22
Rep
120
Posts

Drives: X5
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Bergen County, NJ

iTrader: (0)

I did this on my 92 Ford Exploder when I put a Rancho kit and 31" tires, but that was done more to compensate for the tires than for fuel economy.

These vehicles nowadays are much more precise and aren't likely to enjoy being tinkered with. Unfortunately, this is the nature of the beast (no pun intended)
__________________
If winning isn't everything, then why keep score?

I feel like every day is the Kobayashi Maru and my name's not James T. Kirk
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2017, 01:44 PM   #5
jandref321
Captain
jandref321's Avatar
344
Rep
728
Posts

Drives: 2012 X5M
Join Date: May 2014
Location: United States

iTrader: (1)

Yeah the newer car have more gears which generally should equal better gas mileage plus turbos etc. The 3.0si isn't bad though. My wife's would get 28-30 mpg on the highway in Florida with drop in filter. When I threw on roof racks it dropped to 24mpg highway. We get 21mpg mixed here in Hawaii and it has the PBX tune. This thing gets great MPG for a 5k lb truck!

OP, maybe you're having other issues to resolve. Maybe get a drop in filter like K&N and swap spark plugs. Then reset the tranny and see how it goes. Also, make sure you have all of your panels under the car. The whole bottom should be covered in plastic except under the muffler. Missing one can affect the MPG. The tires could be affecting you also.
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2017, 08:51 AM   #6
wjibby
New Member
wjibby's Avatar
United_States
12
Rep
9
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW X5 3.0si
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Post Falls, Id

iTrader: (0)

Exclamation Tips for better gas mileage.

Well I have to learn how to drive the X5 and how to get the most out of it. I have found the following....

1. Use the cruise control as much as you can.
2. take you foot of the gas and shift to the next gear at 2K rpm
3. Use manual trans going down hill to save on the brakes.

Remember, I have a 3.0 si which is not that good on gas mileage. We tend to be foot on the gas drivers. 2K rpm is optimum for best gas mileage.

Hope this helps someone...
Regards
wjibby
__________________
Can't upload a decent picture because of your restrictions on size. So until I can find a way to post a good picture I will just leave this comment here.
Appreciate 0
      08-06-2017, 08:02 AM   #7
socale39
Major
209
Rep
1,043
Posts

Drives: 04 545i SMG
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Buy a diesel.
Appreciate 0
      08-06-2017, 08:17 AM   #8
335dsleeper
Banned
389
Rep
1,623
Posts

Drives: 09' 335d 10'35D
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Suffolk, va

iTrader: (0)

^ 1+
Appreciate 0
      08-30-2017, 11:38 AM   #9
heatmizr
Captain
United_States
152
Rep
707
Posts

Drives: E70 X5 50i M-Sport
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Charlotte, NC

iTrader: (0)

"3. Use manual trans going down hill to save on the brakes."

This is a Great Idea if you like to change TRANSMISSIONS!
I prefer to change brake pads and rotors.

Brakes are for Stop, Gas is for Go.
__________________
heatmizr [Todd]
g26 i4 e40 - Clean Machine
e70 X5 50i M-Sport "The Boss" Loaded
e90 328i - sold
e36 M3 - Gone to become a track star
Appreciate 1
m5james429.00
      08-31-2017, 08:33 AM   #10
jandref321
Captain
jandref321's Avatar
344
Rep
728
Posts

Drives: 2012 X5M
Join Date: May 2014
Location: United States

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by heatmizr View Post
"3. Use manual trans going down hill to save on the brakes."

This is a Great Idea if you like to change TRANSMISSIONS!
I prefer to change brake pads and rotors.

Brakes are for Stop, Gas is for Go.
Lol...I think he is referring to the manual mode or shifttronic. Slap the shifter to the left which will put up in sport mode then pull back on it to shift up and enter manual mode while driving. You can do this from a stop and push the stick forward to enter first gear. The indicator will switch from "D" to "DS" for sport then "Mx" for Manual. The little "x" in "Mx" is the gear you are currently in e.g. M1, M2, M3 etc. It's more convenient when you have paddle shifters but works great for mountain driving etc when you're going down hill. Using the tranny in a low gear to engine brake will keep your brakes from burning up or catching fire or causing damage to the lines.

Edit: Ha! I just realized you meant that if you use shifttronic you will destroy your tranny...I'm not sure using the transmission for its intended function would damage it as long as you use it appropriately. Preventative maintenance should help...swap the fluid at regular intervals. Have you heard about a lot of tranny failures? I've read of some failures on the 07-08 models from defects but not a lot of usage failures.

Last edited by jandref321; 08-31-2017 at 08:49 AM..
Appreciate 0
      09-14-2017, 10:43 PM   #11
m5james
Colonel
m5james's Avatar
United_States
429
Rep
2,062
Posts

Drives: '10 X5M Alpine White on Sakhir
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Marysville, WA

iTrader: (0)

Then there's me over here, red light and freeway racing anyone I think is worthy, getting MAYBE 11mpg...life's too short, YOLO. I hope you're at least still putting in premium fuel because the .20 per gallon you save by using lower grade is really only going to equate to lower MPG as well, so you're ultimately better off using the premium fuel the vehicle is tuned for.
__________________
'10 BMW X5///M - Alpine White on Sakhir Orange - JB4 w/ HCP Stage 2 BEF, NGK 97506 @ .20, SS tubing & BMC filters, gutted cats, AC Forged 312 22's, H&R 2"
'98 BMW 740iL - ///E39 M5 6spd swap, fully built engine (sleeved, P&P, cams), 3.46 LSD, H&R Stage 2/Bilstein HD, Magnaflow 14816's
'97 BMW 328ci - ///E36 M3 clutch & L/W flywheel, Z4///M 18's
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:59 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST