Fuel Gauge / Warning / Reserve Confirmation

Joshboody · 07-10-2009, 05:24 PM

kinda dumb question here, and the manual's a little confusing on the subject.

Does the 16.1 gal fuel capacity include 2 gal reserve (so 14.1 plus 2 gal reserve). Fuel capacity stated as:
Fuel tank 16.1 gal
including reserve of 2.1 gal

In the manual it also states under reserve: "Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve zone, a message briefly appears on the control display and the cruising range for the remaining amount of fuel is dispayed on the computer. Under a cruising range of 30 miles, the message remains."

when i have about 10 to 15 miles left in range, and fill the tank it's around 15.5 gal and the fuel needle still shows some fuel left. So I take it there is no real reserve and the gauge is measuring actual tank level.

can anyone confirm... for me to clarify i could be walking.

GeorgiaTech335coupe · 07-10-2009, 06:38 PM

I am in agreement with you. The fuel gauge shows the actual fuel level including the reserve to the best accuracy it can......if it doesn't then it has screwed up all those times i put race gas in....

brianhn1 · 07-10-2009, 06:50 PM

I've driven my car with the needle below the E, rock bottom, for at least 20+ miles quite a few times. I think the most I've ever filled when running that low is about 15.9 but never over 16 gals.

persian54 · 07-10-2009, 10:59 PM

Having it fall below 15 left is not good

not good for any car

all the dirt and crap at the end of the tank gets into the engine.

I feel it's best to fill with 1/8 left minimum

Orient330iNYC · 07-11-2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

Having it fall below 15 left is not good

not good for any car

all the dirt and crap at the end of the tank gets into the engine.

I feel it's best to fill with 1/8 left minimum

the fuel pump intake is at the bottom of the tank, so the dirt/whatever isnt an issue... its overheating the fuel pump in the tank that is, its cooled by the gas its immersed in.

persian54 · 07-11-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

the fuel pump intake is at the bottom of the tank, so the dirt/whatever isnt an issue... its overheating the fuel pump in the tank that is, its cooled by the gas its immersed in.

:P

I learn something useful everyday

gotta love this forum

07-10-2009, 05:24 PM	#1
Joshboody Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,708 Posts Drives: pickemuptruck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (7)	Fuel Gauge / Warning / Reserve Confirmation kinda dumb question here, and the manual's a little confusing on the subject. Does the 16.1 gal fuel capacity include 2 gal reserve (so 14.1 plus 2 gal reserve). Fuel capacity stated as: Fuel tank 16.1 gal including reserve of 2.1 gal In the manual it also states under reserve: "Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve zone, a message briefly appears on the control display and the cruising range for the remaining amount of fuel is dispayed on the computer. Under a cruising range of 30 miles, the message remains." when i have about 10 to 15 miles left in range, and fill the tank it's around 15.5 gal and the fuel needle still shows some fuel left. So I take it there is no real reserve and the gauge is measuring actual tank level. can anyone confirm... for me to clarify i could be walking.
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07-10-2009, 06:38 PM	#2
GeorgiaTech335coupe Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: Black BMW 335i coupe Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I am in agreement with you. The fuel gauge shows the actual fuel level including the reserve to the best accuracy it can......if it doesn't then it has screwed up all those times i put race gas in.... __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(e90post.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
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07-10-2009, 06:50 PM	#3
brianhn1 Slow Mo 15 Rep 534 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I've driven my car with the needle below the E, rock bottom, for at least 20+ miles quite a few times. I think the most I've ever filled when running that low is about 15.9 but never over 16 gals. __________________ BMW '17 X5 35i, '15 M4, ED 7/1/14, US 8/4/14, PU 8/18/14, '13 X5 35i, '08 335i Motorcycles: BMW '12 R1200GS, '10 F800GS, '74 R90S
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07-10-2009, 10:59 PM	#4
persian54 Lieutenant General 923 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	Having it fall below 15 left is not good not good for any car all the dirt and crap at the end of the tank gets into the engine. I feel it's best to fill with 1/8 left minimum
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