How far can you go with empty tank?

[zman]

This week end I was driving out of town with my car. At the middle of enjoyment I found that my car was low in fuel. I started to switch to the estimated mile left with the available fuel. From what the computer said, I was sure that I could make it at least another 50 miles even the warning light turned on.

However, that number just dropped quicker than I thought in the next 30 miles. I got to the point where my on computer said "----" and according to the road sign the next gas station is another 10 miles. I had no choice but to keep going. I got to the gas station, but I was wandering how much gas left at that point.

Does anyone know?

 

[frolf]

the --- means 9 miles or less, in the manual it says "refuel immediately!" or something like that. what i found out is that when my gas light comes on, i have around 3 gallons, maybe 3.2 left, and when my --- blinks death at me i have about a gallon left. but i never push it below 15 miles left, just a precaution incase i'm stuck at a light forever and my car just dies. infact i try to keep at lesat 40 miles remaining in summer driver. pretty low, yeah, but gas = weight, and its summer.

 

[Tom]

Depends on fast you drive, but you do have about 2 gallons after your warning light turns on.

 

[frolf]

hmm, maybe i over estimated, or maybe its different from e36 to e46. i probably over estimated

 

[nasa43]

I was surprised because on my previous car, 98 Grand Prix GTP, the low fuel light would come on and I would drive another 30 miles or so and fill up and it would only take about 14 gallons (tank was 18 gallons). On my new 330i, my low fuel light came on and I drove another 25 miles or so and filled up. It took 15.5 gallons which means I only had about a gallon left. I have learned now to fill up when that light comes on because it is apparently extremely accurate. The manual said when it comes on you have about 2 gallons left.

 

[bahnstormer]

i have it down to 10 on the counter, and then it went -----
i ran out within a little bit after...dry as a bone

my indicator will show "e" and it says 36miles left...i set
my trip odometer and got 50miles ... the compy said 36
left still =]

 

[archang3l378]

I always fill the tank with 1/4 of gas left in it. Its not really good to have the fuel that low, because a lot of pressure builds up in the tank. The warning light would come on when I've been lazy in filling up the car.

 

[Big Daddy]

Two thoughts:

1. Remember it is an average, and you could have slightly more or less!

2. Running any car with a fuel pump in the tank low on fuel is a bad idea. The fuel is what cools the pump. I have heard that each time you run low enough to overheat the pump, you cut the pump life severely.

 

[MyHarley]

There is also sediment on the bottom of the tank and who wants that running through the fuel lines? I put in 4 to 5 gallons a day.........never know when you need a full tank of gas.....is that anal?

 

[jonnyz16]

There is also sediment on the bottom of the tank and who wants that running through the fuel lines? I put in 4 to 5 gallons a day.........never know when you need a full tank of gas.....is that anal?

A little But I bet you are never stuck hitchhicking with a gas can ..

 

[gizzy]

More air in your tank - greater the chances for condensation.

If your running your tank 1/2 and lower all of the time - you might consider purchasing stock in Iso-HEET®. [joke]

 

[frolf]

but.... but.... but.... its no fun to have a full tank

 

[Tom]

Yeah you should never let your tank run down any lower than a 1/4 tank. In addition to what you mentioned, its also bad for your fuel pump.

 

[frolf]

well.....



i'll be at that gas station.

 

[bmwrocks]

There is also sediment on the bottom of the tank and who wants that running through the fuel lines? I put in 4 to 5 gallons a day.........never know when you need a full tank of gas.....is that anal?

This is like detecting if a man is gay....or if a deal is too good to be true.....

if you think he is gay then he probably is.....if it sounds too good to be true it probably is......likewise if you think it is anal then it probably is......

 

[Blue]

so am I anal if I jump out at stop lights and clean brake dust off my wheels?

 

[Ghost]

In the summer I fill the tank to ¾ and only let it go as low as ¼. That way I minimize excessive weight - fun factor as Dan said. And it doesn’t get low enough to damage the pump - as Dan said. (déjà vu - is that a glitch in the system? )

In the winter I rarely let it drop to less than ½ a tank.

 

[Blue]

Even a full tank in my 325 (16 gallons) weighs in at under 100 lbs. I don't see any benefit in limiting yourself to only 3/4 tank for increased performance. You're talking about shaving 24 lbs! Shit, my briefcase sometimes weighs that much!

 

[Ghost]

You're talking about shaving 24 lbs! ... my briefcase sometimes weighs that much!

And your car would go faster without it.

Just because the effects may be minimal, doesn’t make them futile. It is not a limitation if it promotes me to go faster.

 

[Big Daddy]

I know Conference and SCCA racers who would love to shave 24lbs off the weight of their cars to save a 1/10 of a second. I have no desire to do so, or I would get rid of my CD changer in the trunk..or better yet I would lose 24 lbs around my middle section....haha. But if you want to save some weight for more "fun" by all means go for it. Blue, do you have gold bars in that briefcase?