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EnglishDRIVING TIPS -> Saving fuel for your BMW 4 Series 2013-2020
Saving fuel
DRIVING TIPS
Saving fuel
Vehicle features and
options
Close the windows and
glass sunroof
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and optional features offered with the series.
It also describes features that are not necessarily
available in your vehicle, e. g., due to the selected
options or country versions. This also applies to
safety-related functions and systems. When us‐
ing these functions and systems, the applicable
laws and regulations must be observed.
Driving with the glass sunroof and windows open
results in increased air resistance and thereby re‐
duces the range.
Tires
General information
Tires can affect fuel consumption in various
ways, for instance tire size may influence fuel
consumption.
General information
The vehicle contains advanced technologies for
the reduction of fuel consumption and emission
values.
Check the tire inflation pressure
regularly
Fuel consumption depends on a number of dif‐
ferent factors.
Check and, if needed, correct the tire inflation
pressure at least twice a month and before start‐
ing on a long trip.
Carrying out certain measures, such as a moder‐
ate driving style and regular maintenance, can in‐
fluence fuel consumption and the environmental
impact.
Low tire inflation pressure increases rolling re‐
sistance and thus raises fuel consumption and
tire wear.
Remove unnecessary
cargo
Drive away immediately
Do not wait for the engine to warm-up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
This is the quickest way of warming the cold en‐
gine up to operating temperature.
Remove attached parts
following use
Look well ahead when
driving
Remove roof-mounted luggage racks which are
no longer required following use.
Attached parts on the vehicle impair the aerody‐
namics and increase the fuel consumption.
Driving smoothly and proactively reduces fuel
consumption.
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DRIVING TIPS
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking.
Switch off any functions
that are not currently
needed
By maintaining a suitable distance to the vehicle
driving ahead of you.
Avoid high engine speeds
Functions such as seat heating and the rear win‐
dow defroster require a lot of energy and reduce
the range, especially in city and stop-and-go traf‐
fic.
Driving at low engine speeds lowers fuel con‐
sumption and reduces wear.
If necessary, observe the vehicle's gear shift indi‐
cator, refer to page 131.
Switch off these functions if they are not needed.
The ECO PRO driving mode supports the en‐
ergy conserving use of comfort features. These
functions are automatically deactivated partially
or completely.
Use coasting
When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and let the vehicle coast to a halt.
Have maintenance carried
out
For going downhill take your foot off the acceler‐
ator and let the vehicle roll.
The flow of fuel is interrupted while coasting.
Have the vehicle maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle efficiency and service life. BMW
recommends that maintenance work be per‐
formed by a BMW dealer’s service center.
Switch off the engine
during longer stops
For information on the BMW Maintenance Sys‐
tem, refer to page 274.
Switching off the engine
Switch off the engine during longer stops, for in‐
stance at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in
traffic congestion.
ECO PRO
Concept
ECO PRO supports a driving style that saves on
fuel consumption. For this purpose, the engine
control and comfort features, for instance the cli‐
mate control output, are adjusted.
Auto Start/Stop function
The Auto Start/Stop function of the vehicle auto‐
matically switches off the engine during a stop.
If the engine is switched off and then restarted
rather than leaving the engine running con‐
stantly, fuel consumption and emissions are re‐
duced. Savings can begin within a few seconds
of switching off the engine.
Under certain conditions the engine is automati‐
cally decoupled from the transmission in the D
selector lever position. The vehicle continues
traveling with the engine idling to reduce fuel
consumption. The D selector lever position re‐
mains engaged.
In addition, fuel consumption is also determined
by other factors, such as driving style, road con‐
ditions, maintenance or environmental factors.
In addition, context-sensitive instructions are dis‐
played to assist with an optimized fuel consump‐
tion driving style.
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The achieved extended range is displayed in the
instrument cluster as bonus range.
Via iDrive
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Vehicle settings"
General information
The system includes the following
EfficientDynamics functions and
EfficientDynamics displays:
3. If necessary, "Driving mode"
4. "Configure ECO PRO"
5. Select the desired setting.
▷ ECO PRO bonus range, refer to page 236.
Settings are stored for the profile currently used.
▷ Activate/deactivate the display, refer to
page 236.
Activating/deactivating the
functions
The following functions can be activated/deacti‐
vated:
▷ ECO PRO climate control, refer to page 235.
▷ Coasting driving condition, refer to page 237.
▷ Driving style analysis, refer to page 239.
▷ "ECO PRO speed warning"
▷ "ECO PRO climate control"
▷ "Coasting"
Overview
Settings are stored for the driver profile currently
used.
ECO PRO limit
▷ Activate the ECO PRO limit:
"ECO PRO speed warning":
An ECO PRO tip is displayed if the speed of
the set ECO PRO limit is exceeded.
Driving Dynamics Control
▷ Adjust the ECO PRO limit speed:
"Tip at:"
Select the desired speed.
Activating ECO PRO
Press button repeatedly until ECO PRO
is displayed in the instrument cluster.
ECO PRO climate control
"ECO PRO climate control"
Climate control is set to be fuel-efficient.
Configuring ECO PRO
That is, it is possible to deviate slightly from the
set temperature or to heat or cool the car's inte‐
rior more slowly, to economize on fuel consump‐
tion.
Via the Driving Dynamics Control
1. Activate ECO PRO.
2. "Configure ECO PRO"
In addition, the power output to the seat and mir‐
ror heating is reduced.
3. Select the desired setting.
Coasting
Fuel-efficiency can be optimized by disengaging
the engine and coasting with the engine idling.
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Deactivate the function to use the braking effect
of the engine when traveling downhill.
accelerate the vehicle or whether energy is being
recovered through coasting or braking. If the
pointer remains in the blue range on the scale,
you are driving efficiently.
ECO PRO potential savings
Shows potential savings with the current settings
in percentages.
ECO PRO tip, driving tip
The ECO PRO tip indicates that your
driving style can be modified to be more
fuel efficient, for example by backing off
the accelerator.
Display in the instrument cluster
Display in the instrument display
When ECO PRO driving mode is activated, the
display switches to a special configuration.
Activating/deactivating the display
1. "My Vehicle"
Blue bar segments symbolize the gained bonus
range in stages.
2. "iDrive settings"
In addition, the bonus range is highlighted in blue
in the total range display.
3. "Displays"
4. "Instrument panel"
5. "ECO PRO info"
In the instrument display:
Via iDrive:
ECO PRO bonus range
A modified driving style helps you
extend your driving range.
This may be displayed as the bo‐
nus range in the instrument clus‐
ter.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Displays"
The bonus range is shown in the range display.
4. "Instrument panel"
5. "Driving mode view"
The bonus range is automatically reset every
time the vehicle is refueled.
ECO PRO tip, symbols
An additional symbol and text instructions are
displayed.
ECO PRO efficiency display
The color of the ECO PRO displays in the instru‐
ment cluster tell you how efficiently you are driv‐
ing:
Symbol Measure
▷ Blue display: efficient driving style.
For efficient driving back off the ac‐
celerator or delay accelerating to al‐
low time to assess road conditions.
▷ Gray display: modify driving style, for example
by backing off the accelerator pedal.
The display switches to blue as soon as all con‐
ditions for driving with optimized fuel efficiency
are met.
Reduce speed to the selected ECO
PRO speed.
Steptronic transmission:
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
ECO PRO displays also inform you about your
current driving style. This is indicated by a
pointer which moves along a scale. The pointer
tells you whether energy is being consumed to
Switch from M/S to D and avoid
manual shift interventions.
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Adjusting the fuel consumption
history time frame
1. "My Vehicle"
Symbol Measure
Manual transmission:
Follow the shift instructions.
2. "Technology in action"
3. "EfficientDynamics"
Manual transmission:
Engage neutral for an engine stop.
4.
Select the symbol.
5.
Press button.
Indications on the Control
Display
6. Adjust the time frame.
Resetting fuel consumption history
1. "My Vehicle"
Displaying EfficientDynamics
information
2. "Technology in action"
3. "EfficientDynamics"
The current efficiency of the ECO PRO functions
can be displayed on the Control Display.
Via iDrive:
4.
Select the symbol.
1. "My Vehicle"
5.
Press button.
2. "Technology in action"
3. "EfficientDynamics"
6. "Reset consumption history"
4.
Select the symbol.
Coasting
The following functions are displayed:
▷ Auto Start/Stop function.
▷ Energy recovery.
Concept
This function helps to save fuel.
To do this, under certain conditions the engine is
automatically decoupled from the transmission
when selector lever position D is set. The vehicle
continues traveling with the engine idling to re‐
duce fuel consumption. Selector lever position D
remains engaged.
▷ Coasting.
Displaying fuel consumption history
The average consumption can be displayed on
the Control Display.
Via iDrive:
This driving condition is referred to as coasting.
1. "My Vehicle"
As soon as you step on the brake or accelerator
pedal, the engine is automatically coupled again.
2. "Technology in action"
3. "EfficientDynamics"
General information
Coasting is a component of the ECO PRO driv‐
ing mode.
4.
Select the symbol.
Vertical bars show consumption for the selected
time frame.
Coasting is automatically activated when ECO
PRO mode is called via the Driving Dynamics
Control.
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A proactive driving style helps the driver to use
the function as often as possible and supports
the fuel-conserving effect of coasting.
Indications on the Control Display
The coasting mode is displayed in
EfficientDynamics while driving.
The distance traveled in coasting mode is shown
in the fuel consumption history. The counter is
reset prior to every departure.
Functional requirements
The function is available in the speed range from
approx. 30 mph/50 km/h up to
100 mph/160 km/h.
The function is active if the following conditions
are met:
▷ Accelerator pedal and brake pedal not de‐
pressed.
▷ The selector lever is in selector lever position
D.
▷ Engine and transmission are at operating
temperature.
Color code blue: coasting mode.
Operation via shift paddles
Displaying EfficientDynamics information
Via iDrive:
Concept
1. "My Vehicle"
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
coasting mode can be influenced with the shift
paddles.
2. "Technology in action"
3. "EfficientDynamics"
4.
Select the symbol.
Activating/deactivating coasting via shift
paddles
System limits
The function is not available if one of the follow‐
ing conditions applies:
1. Shift to the highest gear by pulling the right
shift paddle.
2. To activate coasting mode, actuate the right
shift paddle again.
▷ DSC OFF or TRACTION activated.
▷ If cruise control is activated.
To deactivate, actuate the left shift paddle.
▷ If driving in the dynamic limit range.
▷ If driving on steep uphill or downhill grades.
Display
▷ If the battery charge state is temporarily too
low.
Display in the instrument cluster
The mark in the efficiency display is backlit in
blue and is located at the zero point. The tach‐
ometer shows the idle speed.
▷ If the vehicle electrical system is drawing ex‐
cessive current.
The coasting point indicator is illuminated at the
zero point during coasting.
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The road symbolizes the efficiency of the driving
style. The more efficient your driving style, the
smoother the depicted route becomes, arrow 1.
Driving style analysis
Concept
The table of values contains stars. The more effi‐
cient the driving style, the more stars are in‐
cluded in the table and the faster the bonus
range increases, arrow 2.
The function helps develop an especially effi‐
cient driving style and to conserve fuel.
For this purpose, the driving style is analyzed.
The assessment is done in various categories
and is displayed on the Control Display.
If, on the other hand, the driving style is ineffi‐
cient, a more wavy road and a reduced number
of stars are displayed.
This display will help you adjust your driving style
and save some fuel.
To assist with an efficient driving style, ECO
PRO tips are displayed during driving.
The last 15 minutes of a trip are evaluated.
The range of the vehicle can be extended by
adopting an efficient driving style.
Tips for an energy-saving driving style, Saving
fuel, refer to page 233.
This gain in range is displayed as a bonus range
in the instrument cluster and on the Control Dis‐
play.
Functional requirement
This function is available in ECO PRO mode.
Calling up ECO PRO driving style
analysis
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "Technology in action"
3. "Driving style analysis"
Display on the Control Display
The display of the ECO PRO driving style analy‐
sis consists of a symbolized route and a lookup
table.
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