Fuel shut off "feature"?

["Jerry A. Cohen" <cohen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have a '98 328is and notice that when I ease off the throttle, 
the gas consumption indicator increases up to about 40 mpg.  Then, if 
I ease off a little more, but not all the way, it goes all the way to 
the left (infinite ? mpg) and torque appears to decrease markedly, as 
if the fuel injector has shut off fuel.  I  seem to remember that 
this is a "feature."  If so, its a bit annoying in very slow traffic; 
causes enexpected drag as the throttle is almost all the way off.   
It also causes a similar phenomenon with the cruise control engaged 
when going down a steep grade on the interstate, as if the breaks 
were being applied lightly.  Is this a programmed-in feature to save 
fuel?

Jerry Cohen
BMWCCA 157750

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