Questions about the diesel model

[BillK]

Long time BMW owner here, but never owned a diesel. The spousal unit and I placed an order for a diesel model and I had a few questions. 1)Is there something that prevents one from using a standard gasoline nozzle in the diesel? I'm a little worried about the wife since she's never had a diesel, might forget and put regular gas.
2) Are there any additives that need to be used to help cold starts, or enhance the fuel? Thanks for any help.

[opasha]

Not sure if BMW has this system in place, but call BMW Genius up and ask them. VW did this for the exact reason you stated: http://jalopnik.com/volkswagen-fixes...putt-509309545

Sorry, I don't know that much about diesel vehicles.

[midlifecrisis]

There is a device in the filler neck to prevent anything other than the newer diesel nozzle from going in. The downside is that if you go to an older diesel pump that serves mostly truckers, the nozzle is too big and won't fit in the filler neck. BMW has an adapter for this. (A funnel with the correct sized small end.)

The good news is that almost all stations selling diesel have the correct nozzle. I'm amazed how many stations have diesel pumps. I never noticed before buying my X5 35d this year.

Finally, the good news is she won't have to fill it so often!

[BillK]

Thanks for the info. I wonder if the adapter is extra $. Also, do you use additives? Do the diesels use a different type of oil?

[Artdnj]

I never had a diesal but contemplated an x5d before my 35i purchase. My SA said he had a client cause 4k in damage for filling up a diesal with regular. Figuring my wife would do the same I opted for the gas model. I don't know if he was accurate or inaccurate but he said a regular gas nozzle will fit a diesal.

[midlifecrisis]

I've never tried to put a gas nozzle in my diesel, but it's my understanding that only the wider diesel nozzle will release a bar that blocks the filler and allow the nozzle to be inserted. The bigger problem is that the older, wider diesel nozzles won't fit in to the neck, and some older stations don't have the modern nozzle. That's when you need the adapter funnel. (My CA gave me one.). I suppose you could put gas in the tank by using the adapter, but anybody driving the car shouldn't be that clueless. On the other hand, anyone driving the car should be told that gasoline will ruin the engine and gasoline and diesel fuel are different animals.

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by BillK

Thanks for the info. I wonder if the adapter is extra $. Also, do you use additives? Do the diesels use a different type of oil?

I'm not using an additive. If you have to pay for it, I'm sure the adapter can't be more than a few bucks. It's a plastic funnel in a sealable plastic tube. It comes with plastic gloves, too. After all, a BMW owner shouldn't get diesel fuel on their hands! I. Not sure about the oil, but I'm going in for an oil change later this month. I'll find out.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by BillK

Thanks for the info. I wonder if the adapter is extra $. Also, do you use additives? Do the diesels use a different type of oil?

The adapter use to come with the car. Yes Diesel engines use different oil but are freely available.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by Artdnj

I never had a diesal but contemplated an x5d before my 35i purchase. My SA said he had a client cause 4k in damage for filling up a diesal with regular. Figuring my wife would do the same I opted for the gas model. I don't know if he was accurate or inaccurate but he said a regular gas nozzle will fit a diesal.

Just SA babble

[Beakster]

My 2013 X5d came with the adapter. Only had to use it once, but unfortunately learned the hard way that the pump nozzle auto-stop feature didn't work. Wasn't a particularly pretty sight!

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by BillK

Long time BMW owner here, but never owned a diesel. The spousal unit and I placed an order for a diesel model and I had a few questions. 1)Is there something that prevents one from using a standard gasoline nozzle in the diesel? I'm a little worried about the wife since she's never had a diesel, might forget and put regular gas.
2) Are there any additives that need to be used to help cold starts, or enhance the fuel? Thanks for any help.

What do you mean by cold starts? How cold?

States that typically get cold weather (below 0*C, 32*F) buy fuel that already has additives to keep the fuel from waxing. In addition, I would bet this car has a fuel pre-heater and glow plugs for cold starts. Have you seen the battery for this car? 950 cold cranking amps - that tells me starter needs a few more amps to turn the high compression ratio motor, AND there are glow plugs (that typically need 48 volts) for high-speed cylinder heating.

I am using an additive but its to test the effects of increased cetane on throttle response and economy.

[BillK]

Originally Posted by 42pilot

What do you mean by cold starts? How cold?

States that typically get cold weather (below 0*C, 32*F) buy fuel that already has additives to keep the fuel from waxing. In addition, I would bet this car has a fuel pre-heater and glow plugs for cold starts. Have you seen the battery for this car? 950 cold cranking amps - that tells me starter needs a few more amps to turn the high compression ratio motor, AND there are glow plugs (that typically need 48 volts) for high-speed cylinder heating.

I am using an additive but its to test the effects of increased cetane on throttle response and economy.

Interesting. Let us know the results

[MrTookies]

Originally Posted by 42pilot

What do you mean by cold starts? How cold?

States that typically get cold weather (below 0*C, 32*F) buy fuel that already has additives to keep the fuel from waxing. In addition, I would bet this car has a fuel pre-heater and glow plugs for cold starts. Have you seen the battery for this car? 950 cold cranking amps - that tells me starter needs a few more amps to turn the high compression ratio motor, AND there are glow plugs (that typically need 48 volts) for high-speed cylinder heating.

I am using an additive but its to test the effects of increased cetane on throttle response and economy.

Concerning the additive: What is that additive and what are the results? Kind of curious about all these additive options myself...

[42pilot]

The additives are Stanadyne and Howse. I cannot feel any difference (which I would be a bit surprised if I did since the motor has less than 20k miles on it) in terms of performance, but the other benefit you won't notice but equally important if you own the car, is the injection cleaning. I add every 3 or 4 tanks.

My Powerstroke is 10 years old and 120k miles with no injector issues - great starts, great economy and good performance. Replacing these injectors cost $1600 just in parts.

[MrTookies]

Originally Posted by 42pilot

The additives are Stanadyne and Howse. I cannot feel any difference (which I would be a bit surprised if I did since the motor has less than 20k miles on it) in terms of performance, but the other benefit you won't notice but equally important if you own the car, is the injection cleaning. I add every 3 or 4 tanks.

My Powerstroke is 10 years old and 120k miles with no injector issues - great starts, great economy and good performance. Replacing these injectors cost $1600 just in parts.

Thanks for that info. I found this link what do you think about this ? http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/68152/fi...d-7de8fff2122e

On the contrary I found this link :-) http://fuelinjectorcleaner.reviews/t...uel-additives/

[Biff Trout]

Get the diesel, you won't regret it. I had a 2012 X5 diesel and now a 2015 X5 diesel. The difference between the two is remarkable. The 2015 is tremendously more quiet. Passengers will likely never know that it is a diesel unless you tell them. Plus I am averaging better than 24 miles to the gallon for mainly city driving.

Cut your wife some slack. I am sure that if you say use diesel she will use only diesel. Find a service station that has paper towels by the pumps – I always grab the nozzle with a paper towel because it typically does have some diesel residue from commercial drivers who are filling up their trucks.

Regards,

BIFF

98 528i, 01 540-6spd., 02 530i, 03 540-6spd., 06 550i-6spd., 10 MB E63, 12 X5d, 15 X5d

[Shaw]

You are aware of the whole diesel fiasco going on due to VW; right?

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by Shaw

You are aware of the whole diesel fiasco going on due to VW; right?

Who isn't. Are you drawing a parallel with BMW or are you implying BMW is doing the same?

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by PlayTookies

Thanks for that info. I found this link what do you think about this ? http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/68152/fi...d-7de8fff2122e

On the contrary I found this link :-) http://fuelinjectorcleaner.reviews/t...uel-additives/

I use Stanadyne, Kleen and Howse in my X5 and Powestroke. The last two are easy to get while on the road or at Walmart. If you pre-measure using a generic 8 oz bottle, its cheap and easy. All work with the emissions system. I have not used the others listed on the pages you supplied - except for Marvel, but I use that in every off-road vehicle I have (diesel tractor, z-turn mower, etc, etc).

[Biff Trout]

Originally Posted by Shaw

You are aware of the whole diesel fiasco going on due to VW; right?

Who is VW?

[MrTookies]

Originally Posted by Biff Trout

Who is VW?

[MrTookies]

Originally Posted by 42pilot

I use Stanadyne, Kleen and Howse in my X5 and Powestroke. The last two are easy to get while on the road or at Walmart. If you pre-measure using a generic 8 oz bottle, its cheap and easy. All work with the emissions system. I have not used the others listed on the pages you supplied - except for Marvel, but I use that in every off-road vehicle I have (diesel tractor, z-turn mower, etc, etc).

Thanks, where do you buy the Stanadyne from?, did you find a place that sells it cheaper then on amazon? I looked at walmart and could not find it.