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DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: P. Kennedy on September 07, 2007, 11:54:16 AM

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: P. Kennedy on September 07, 2007, 11:54:16 AM

Any good guesses as to the quantity of petrol remaining when the low fuel light comes on?  I was thinking I would easily get 325 miles per tankfull, but yesterday I ran out of gas at 326.  As luck would have it, I was able to coast downhill into a Mobil station (& they have 93 octane to boot.)

I always reset my trip odometer when filling up with gasoline, but I've only had this car a few weeks, so I won't cut it that close any more.

For those that track mileage with trip odo., how far do you go on a tankfull?

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: christophbmw on September 07, 2007, 01:30:01 PM

i fill up at 1/2 tank or 1/4 tank.....i never go below a 1/4.......not after spending $150 for a fuel pump, i want it to last.

But to answer your question: we have a 14.5 gallon fuel tank and i am 80% sure the light comes on when you have about 2 gallons left. (roughly 50 miles once the light comes on). I have driven way further than 325 miles on one tank though, you should be getting at least 350 untill your light comes on......freeway driving.

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: asubimmer on September 07, 2007, 02:02:14 PM

one time I was on the highway in the middle of nowhere when my light came on.  I drove another 40 miles before I filled up ;)

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: Wise Old Dog on September 07, 2007, 02:43:53 PM

I can get 12.8 gallons into my tank when the light comes on. I guess the reverse of that is 1.7 gallons left.

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: tjts1 on September 07, 2007, 03:34:14 PM

^^^ +1 ^^^
It takes ~12.5 when my light comes on. The furthest i've ever gone on that was a little over 400 miles. I put in 13 gallons once but the engine felt like it was starting to lose power in turns so I guess the fuel pump has trouble pumping out the last gallon or so. I wish I had the 16 gallon 6cyl tank.

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: P. Kennedy on September 07, 2007, 04:05:00 PM

As to highway mileage, my control arm bushings are shot to hell, so I avoid the highway completely for now, hence my stinky mpg.

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: christophbmw on September 07, 2007, 04:40:54 PM

Quote from: tjts1;33329

^^^ +1 ^^^
It takes ~12.5 when my light comes on. The furthest i've ever gone on that was a little over 400 miles. I put in 13 gallons once but the engine felt like it was starting to lose power in turns so I guess the fuel pump has trouble pumping out the last gallon or so. I wish I had the 16 gallon 6cyl tank.

they have 14.5 like us to......the E30 M3 had 15.3.

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: Stück on September 07, 2007, 06:34:42 PM

The light is triggered when 1.5 gallons remain in the tank, per BMW specs.

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: tjts1 on September 07, 2007, 06:44:46 PM

Quote from: christophbmw;33339

they have 14.5 like us to......the E30 M3 had 15.3.

88 325 and 325i had 16.4 gallon tank. It was a 1 year deal. M3 has 14.5
http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/specifications2.html

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: RED IS 91 on September 08, 2007, 05:36:24 AM

Quote from: tjts1;33347

88 325 and 325i had 16.4 gallon tank. It was a 1 year deal. M3 has 14.5
http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/specifications2.html

good info
thanks

Title: Low fuel light
Post by: gearheadE30 on September 08, 2007, 09:27:41 AM

Huh, I could have sworn that I read in the manual that we have 12.7 gallon tanks. My low-fuel light doesn't work, even with the needle in the red, so I don't know if it is burned out or if the gauge is off. How do you replace the bulb? (I know how to get the cluster off)

BTW I only get about 280 miles on a tank, with almost all city driving and a heavy foot when getting on the highway ;)