XSeries-forum

I've coded the usual stuff plus managed to get the Eco-Pro 'Sailing Mode' to work this evening! This functionality has been disabled in the UK (and possibly other countries) by BMW for some reason.

In Eco-Pro mode and with 'Sailing Mode' selected 'on' my X5 'free-wheels' whenever you come off the throttle and are above about 30mph. The gear indicator still shows 'D' though the engine rpm drops to idle...as soon as you open the throttle the gearbox re-selects the appropriate gear.

I now have a new tick box to enable 'sailing mode' in the config screen for Eco-Pro mode, new items on the Eco-Pro status page including a new odometer to show the distance 'Sailed' (this doesn't update yet though it's text colour is correctly animated, hopefully I'll get it going tomorrow!)

I've make a rough video of the new Eco-Pro status screen (it was dark!) and posted here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4hyqn1psx7...804_212950.mp4

You can even hear my pain-in-the-arse comfort rear seat RATTLING!!!

It seems the F15 has more options to code compared to the E70.

I'm happy that "sailing" mode is safe, but the road users coming the other way seemed a bit worried when I started tacking.......

But seriously, is this a 2014 thing or does my Nov 13 F15 have this option buried somewhere in the code. If so, how do I activate it - do I need to buy some electronic gadget to plug into the car?

Strange they don't have it activated.

It is on our Porsche.

Surely it uses more fuel as the engine does not go into 'cut-off' on the overrun might be one reason it was removed, that and auto transmission pumps had a habit of slowing to the point where damage could be done, but modern boxes must be better at handling it?

There is also a technical offence in the UK which could be brought in the event of an accident - though proving it on an auto would be pretty much impossible - of the car not being properly 'under full control'.  May be that's why BMW chose not to enable it.  But given Porsche did and how risk averse BMW seem to be - think folding mirrors and closing the boot from the front - it seems just another BMW quirk.....

[quote="X5Sport"]
Surely it uses more fuel as the engine does not go into 'cut-off' on the overrun might be one reason it was removed, that and auto transmission pumps had a habit of slowing to the point where damage could be done, but modern boxes must be better at handling it?

There is also a technical offence in the UK which could be brought in the event of an accident - though proving it on an auto would be pretty much impossible - of the car not being properly 'under full control'.  May be that's why BMW chose not to enable it.  But given Porsche did and how risk averse BMW seem to be - think folding mirrors and closing the boot from the front - it seems just another BMW quirk.....
[/quote]

I remember reading somewhere that it is possible (with electric power steering and the hydraulic pressure accumulator fitted to the auto-box (this allows the stop-start to work)) that is is possible for the engine to be completely stopped during 'coasting' - mine runs at idle and never stops. I'm not sure if this is a coding issue (something I've missed) or if the 'engine off' condition never occurs even on a car with coasting mode enabled from the factory. Perhaps someone from Belgium can confirm?

Also coasting is inhibited when cruise control is enabled in my case. Think I might have opened a can of worms! 

What I need is an owners manual for an X5 with factory coasting!

With the amount of electrical power the beasts need, you'd probably never want the engine to stop!  :'(

Richard

See page 200 of the manual for details of the "Coasting " function in Eco Pro. It seems the engine is meant to idle not turn off.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/ ... lcode=14XI

Thanks again Catflap - I've coded this and will be testing later today.

.... and thanks Kenniff, good to know it's not enable with cruise by design.

[quote="X5Sport"]
Surely it uses more fuel as the engine does not go into 'cut-off' on the overrun might be one reason it was removed, that and auto transmission pumps had a habit of slowing to the point where damage could be done, but modern boxes must be better at handling it?

There is also a technical offence in the UK which could be brought in the event of an accident - though proving it on an auto would be pretty much impossible - of the car not being properly 'under full control'.  May be that's why BMW chose not to enable it.  But given Porsche did and how risk averse BMW seem to be - think folding mirrors and closing the boot from the front - it seems just another BMW quirk.....
[/quote]

I agree this used to be the case, always made me laugh people with manuals did it thinking they were saving fuel!!!

Clearly something has been changed some how

I'm not a fan of it in certain situations anyway.

Catflap - are you an F15 'cos page 213 (which refers back to page 210) of my UK owner's handbook says that Coasting, i.e. disconnecting engine from gearbox, is a feature of the ECO PRO mode.

I see Kenniff has quoted the USA manual (which I read during my 4 month wait) but I just happened to be working my way through the UK version - I should really get out more and just drive it !

[quote="bobgolden"]
Catflap - are you an F15 'cos page 213 (which refers back to page 210) of my UK owner's handbook says that Coasting, i.e. disconnecting engine from gearbox, is a feature of the ECO PRO mode.

I see Kenniff has quoted the USA manual (which I read during my 4 month wait) but I just happened to be working my way through the UK version - I should really get out more and just drive it !
[/quote]

Yes it's a post April 2014 build F15 - never read the book yet, just assumed it wasn't a feature available in the UK. Will look at my book when I get back from hols, thanks for pointing it out. If it is in the manual I'll ask the dealer why it doesn't work (along with the others features like the front camera GPS activation points!)

What's a front camera GPS activation point when its at home?

You're supposed to be able to have the front camera come on automatically when you reach a preset position on the road like a bad junction that you use regularly (helps you see round the corner!) Except it don't work like it says it should in the manual.

Thanks! I must read the manual - if only to find out what I should have but havent got.