Low Fuel Warning Way Too Early!

[M3V8Driver]

Just wondering if it's normal for the low fuel warning to come on at 1/4 tank and 65 mile range. It is annoying as hell, especially when it overides the information display! If this is normal, is there a way to reprogram it?

[metro44m3]

there are plenty of forum members who are coding specialists and can help you out with that. They can code it remotely for you too.

[Phanto///M]

This is normal. As mentions previously you can have this coded to 1/8th tank or whatever you prefer. I personally dont let my tank go below 1/4.

[happos2]

Normal.

/thread

[M3V8Driver]

Originally Posted by Phanto///M

...I personally dont let my tank go below 1/4.

I personally don't let my tank be full. As soon as I drive away from the pump after a fill-up, it is no longer full

Seriously though, 1/4 tank with a 65 mile range is ridiculously early. I always thought my Mazda's wa early when it came on with a 50 mile range. At least it never forced a change in display information. It was merely a separate/indiependent warning.

That said, I would be skeptical and leery about letting somebody reprogram the ECU remotely. I would prefer to go to a reputable tuner who might as well take care of a few other nuances while they're at it

[lsmkr01]

Originally Posted by M3V8Driver

I personally don't let my tank be full. As soon as I drive away from the pump after a fill-up, it is no longer full

Seriously though, 1/4 tank with a 65 mile range is ridiculously early. I always thought my Mazda's wa early when it came on with a 50 mile range. At least it never forced a change in display information. It was merely a separate/indiependent warning.

That said, I would be skeptical and leery about letting somebody reprogram the ECU remotely. I would prefer to go to a reputable tuner who might as well take care of a few other nuances while they're at it

yeah its annoying but keep in mind if your drive hard you can use up that 1/4 tank in a few minutes no problem. Check out BPMsport (Mike knows his stuff and i'm trusting him to tune my car which i love) and the coding they offer. The gas tank issue is one of many little tweaks you can make because the charge a flat rate do do it so might as well get everything including Euro MDM which is nice if you like to get a little sideways without turning DSC fully off.

Seems like as soon as I moved out of PGH after an 11 yr stay now all these other BMW guys are poping up everywhere in that area!

[HighandDry]

Doesn't bother me too much.

However, I'm almost positive that I saw on the Idrive menu that you can change the warning to multiple levels.

[signes]

Hit the button on the end of the indicator stalk and it will cancel the first "reminder", then you get the next one that won't go away at 31 miles to empty. Remote coding is safe if you go with somebody reputable, there are a lot of other cool things you can do while you're at it.

[M3V8Driver]

Originally Posted by signes

Hit the button on the end of the indicator stalk and it will cancel the first "reminder", then you get the next one that won't go away at 31 miles to empty. Remote coding is safe if you go with somebody reputable, there are a lot of other cool things you can do while you're at it.

Yep, I do clear it, but it gets annoying to have to do it every time the car is started, etc. Plus, it gets to the point that it can't be cleard (the 31 mile mark perhaps). If I have somebody program it, what are some of the other things I should have done?
1. Change low fuel warning to 25 mile range
2. Remove speed limiter (although I never experienced it)
3. Return display to previous screen after using phone
4. ?

[Phanto///M]

Originally Posted by M3V8Driver

Yep, I do clear it, but it gets annoying to have to do it every time the car is started, etc. Plus, it gets to the point that it can't be cleard (the 31 mile mark perhaps). If I have somebody program it, what are some of the other things I should have done?
1. Change low fuel warning to 25 mile range
2. Remove speed limiter (although I never experienced it)
3. Return display to previous screen after using phone
4. ?

I had forum member onebadmofo code my car. I did mirrors fold when holding the lock button, idrive screen so you dont get the warning, euro mdm, seatbelt chime and some other things. He has a thread in the NY/NJ/PA regional section with all the possibilities listed. Hope this helps.

[FVM3]

thats normal

[bsmack]

Annoyed me as well, learned to tune reading the various tutorials here and other places and coded mine so it only yells at me at 1/8

[redline9001]

First world problem

/thread

[happos2]

Originally Posted by M3V8Driver

Yep, I do clear it, but it gets annoying to have to do it every time the car is started, etc. Plus, it gets to the point that it can't be cleard (the 31 mile mark perhaps). If I have somebody program it, what are some of the other things I should have done?
1. Change low fuel warning to 25 mile range
2. Remove speed limiter (although I never experienced it)
3. Return display to previous screen after using phone
4. ?

#2...think that is via a tune, not code.

[Phanto///M]

Originally Posted by happos2

#2...think that is via a tune, not code.

That is correct.

[happos2]

Originally Posted by M3V8Driver

Yep, I do clear it, but it gets annoying to have to do it every time the car is started, etc. Plus, it gets to the point that it can't be cleard (the 31 mile mark perhaps). If I have somebody program it, what are some of the other things I should have done?
1. Change low fuel warning to 25 mile range
2. Remove speed limiter (although I never experienced it)
3. Return display to previous screen after using phone
4. ?

And to elaborate more, go to the below link to see a list of things that can be done via coding!

http://www.bpmsport.com/coding.php

Hope that is helpful.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by M3V8Driver

Just wondering if it's normal for the low fuel warning to come on at 1/4 tank and 65 mile range. It is annoying as hell, especially when it overides the information display! If this is normal, is there a way to reprogram it?

It's normal. Most manufacturers will have the light appear early as fuel also acts as a cooling source for the fuel pump. Running it close to empty frequently can eventually reduce fuel pump life. I would assume BMW follows this rule also.

However, its interesting that 335s are coded for the light to appear at 1/8 tank.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

It's normal. Most manufacturers will have the light appear early as fuel also acts as a cooling source for the fuel pump. Running it close to empty frequently can eventually reduce fuel pump life. I would assume BMW follows this rule also.

However, its interesting that 335s are coded for the light to appear at 1/8 tank.

I think the coding is set based on the gas mileage of the car. They set it so you have about 50 miles left of range. The 335 gets better gas mileage so it comes on later.

[Cool Steel]

Glad you asked this question! I was wondering too....1/4 tank and on it comes....I thought something was up...Im okay with it if its normal. I just go fill it up...

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by metro44m3

there are plenty of forum members who are coding specialists and can help you out with that. They can code it remotely for you too.

True but most of those guys are helping that other fellow maintain full stiffness.

[mdosu]

It only permanently overrides the screen at 1/8

[Vic311]

I can't believe people go to the trouble of coding a fuel warning..funny to me.