Fuel Tank Reserve?

[adam007to]

I'm wondering if like some other high end cars (A4,3 series) the fuel tank has a reserve?

[jmess]

My experience is when the warning light comes on you have about 2.5 gallons left. So I haven't seen any reserve with my car.

[gloa2000]

it seems like they keep enough gas (about 50-60 miles highway driving range) and turn on the warning light but i find them very inaccurate compared to BMW's, sometimes my range shows 35 miles to empty and goes to ----- which makes me go nuts to find a gas station(My old 328i did 1 miles to empty to 0 and it really died after 3 minutes showing 0 DTE.)

[jmess]

The ----- on the LCD definitely gets your attention. My first venture to ----- the fill up took 19.3 gallons.

[googleman]

I find the indicator to be quite accurate until about 50 miles. Once the light comes on, it seems like they intentionally programmed it conservatively so that the "miles left" drops faster to force the driver to find the closest gas station. On multiple occasions, I was on the highway when the light came on, while I was driving at about 65mph, the number went down from 50 to low 30s in less than 10 miles, which doesn't make sense.

My record is 19.9 gallons after -----, when it took me a while to find the nearest gas station. I think we had an owner in this forum who actually ran out of gas with his EX. He should be able to give more accurate info on the tank capacity.

[KJ911TT]

I find the indicator to be quite accurate until about 50 miles. Once the light comes on, it seems like they intentionally programmed it conservatively so that the "miles left" drops faster to force the driver to find the closest gas station. On multiple occasions, I was on the highway when the light came on, while I was driving at about 65mph, the number went down from 50 to low 30s in less than 10 miles, which doesn't make sense.

My record is 19.9 gallons after -----, when it took me a while to find the nearest gas station. I think we had an owner in this forum who actually ran out of gas with his EX. He should be able to give more accurate info on the tank capacity.

2.5 gallons after the light first comes on is about right.

I always try and stretch each tank out as much as possible and one time I tried stretching it out too far and I ran out of gas on the way to the gas station.

- KJ

[CaribMon71]

Same thing happened to me! But it was like 1am and very, very cold outside. Had to wait quite a while for the roadside assistance dude to show up. I was shivering so bad, I wasn't really able to sign the form he gave me.

[cjre1]

Dude,

What are you thinking, are times that tough to get gas. That is crazy. It is not good to run the gas that low anyway for the fuel pump, injectors and engine. Ask anyone.

I never pass 1/4 tank down.

[KJ911TT]

Dude,

What are you thinking, are times that tough to get gas. That is crazy. It is not good to run the gas that low anyway for the fuel pump, injectors and engine. Ask anyone.

I never pass 1/4 tank down.

Or we could just be too lazy to go fill up.

- KJ

[aft981]

Here's another vote for too lazy.

I get every last mile from each tank, and can't remember the last time I didn't get at least 400 miles off a tank. Simple maths for me, I drive 30k a year. If I get 400 miles off each thank that is 75 stops to fill up each year. If I fill up as soon as I get to 1/4 that is 100 times I need to stop for gas each year. I'd have to stop an extra twice a month. I also fill up in Jersey where they have this most bizarre law that you can't pump your own gas, so you have to wait an eternity for the generally inefficient and slow attendants to come and fill your tank. Not to mention last week the idiot didn't screw my cap on all the way and the check engine light came on.

Actually this also happened 3 months ago, again after a fool in NJ pumped my gas, and I took it to the dealer, not knowing at this point what it was. They told me it was just the gas cap hadn't been screwed on enough, and after 5-10 cycles of starting/stopping the engine after being screwed back on, the light should clear itself. This begs the question, why on earth couldn't they just make a separate light on the dashboard for loose gas cap?! How many times do people drive to dealers cos their engine light is on, and its a simple, screw the cap on tighter fix.

[gloa2000]

why on earth couldn't they just make a separate light on the dashboard for loose gas cap?! How many times do people drive to dealers cos their engine light is on, and its a simple, screw the cap on tighter fix.

Actually my first car 1977 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser had a dash light called "Check Gas Cap" engine codes are still not very clear among the mechanics, they are guessing couple of reasons for one Code. Carputers are not that smart yet.

[cjre1]

No worries, I get like this, but I send my wife out to fill up. hee hee LOL JK. I dont have a death wish.

SHHH Don't tell my wife that I said this.....