LexBrett

I saw several threads suggesting that there is a fuel filter replacement DIY somewhere? Is it that true?

And who has has their fuel filter changed? It seems logical that this need to be changed, but it also seems like many people don't do this.

As far as I understand, the fuel filter is in the gas tank and can be accessed through removing the backseat.

My MPG is horrible, and I am meticulous with maintenance items, but I have not changed the fuel filter and wonder if that could be the issue...

questions/comments/criticisms welcomed!

Bgw70

Was your fuel mileage better at some point?
Did it get worse slowly, or all at once?
Did you change fuel stations or octane levels?
How many miles do you have?
Do you ever run fuel system cleaners, Chevron Techron?

Yes, the fuel filter is located in the fuel tank but should not be difficult to access.

LexBrett

Yes I run fuel cleaners, am meticulous with maintenance, and the car runs like a dream. Better than most new cars. I use premium gas. Car has 120K miles. Performance mods probably sucking the MPG down. She is a monster and is a night and day difference compared to stock. My commute is 90% sitting at stop lights, bringing the MPG to 0 on the computer (ie, I tested MPG at idle and is 0, which makes sense).

Bgw70

If possible, reset the mileage average counter and take her out on a 40mile cruise this weekend to see if it makes a difference.

LexBrett

Seems like only true apples to apples comparison of mpg is highway driving. Mixed or city driving is subjective.

Bgw70

If I said something incorrectly, I apologize. I just meant for you to take her out on a nice hwy or interstate, set the cruise and see if your mileage is more like you had in the past or closer to what I may be getting...if you do this and drive around 70 or so, I hope you get near 20MPG.

Driving in town can have very mixed results, so we agree.

LexBrett

Hey Buddy, thanks for the questions and I understood what you meant. I think I usually get between 21 and 22 on the highway, but I seldom get on the open road so I will have to do it again.

What MPG do you get highway driving?

NovaRnder

I think I know one thing which drops your mpg and that's why I was hesitant to get it first but hey we did not buy this car to save gas. I'm talking about the Sprint Booster. Being from Northern VA too I know how the traffic congestions go or not go during rush hour. Brett just to settle the issue on how much mpg do you drop with the Sprint Booster engaged, I nominate you to do this experiment for us in the forum for future reference about how much in mpg does Sprint Booster installed affect our SCs. Just a suggestion, I say drive your car to work for a week until you travel for 200 miles with the SB off. Reset the mpg computer and drive to work again for a week until you get 200 miles again while the SB is on and set on Stage 1 (Sport mode) and lastly the same test with the SB on Stage 2 (Race mode). I'm curious about the results but no matter what the numbers say at the end, I'm still getting the SB for the SC and especially for our BMW X1 which I believe has a throttle response lag of more than one second.

From what I've read from a lot of reviews about SB, basically what the $300 performance gadget does it makes you jack rabbit from the get go. Driving around Nova during rush hour, that's a lot of jack rabbit starts.
Most of the reviews also say that this performance mod really makes a day and night difference. So there is your give and take then.


just my .02 cents....

LexBrett

Hey Buddy, sound like an interesting test. I know many people on CL are considering Sprint Booster, but are hesitant due to MPG impacts.

I'm happy to do this test. The challenge will be to get a representative set of mpg data to compare. It won't be easy.

For example, if just one time I do some highway driving my mpg shoots up. So if I do the test it will have to be under the exact same conditions. I'm not sure if that's possible. But let me think about it and I will report back. Let's talk about it at the meet up too. Remember you can always turn off SB too.

Bgw70

I drove to Miami recently, cruise set on 78mph, I believe it was almost 24mpg

LexBrett

So if I get 22 highway, that would make sense given that I run SB full time and have done a number of mods that would likely reduce MPG.