Author Topic: Reserve Fuel Light Mileage (Read 6134 times)

txleadfoot · « **on:** April 21, 2009, 10:15:33 AM »

OK, I did some math trying to figure out an approximate figure for expected miles after the reserve fuel light illuminates. Most of my driving is commuting to work in the city in light traffic.

The facts:
Mileage at fill-up: 333.3 mi.
Fuel at fill-up: 14.76 gal.
MPG: 22.6
Miles at reserve light: 329.0
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.4

From my calculations, the reserve fuel light comes on at 1.83 gal. remaining. In my case, that translates to an additional 41.35 miles after the light illuminates, totaling a possible 370.3 miles to a tank.

JP 91iS · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2009, 12:14:29 PM »

The E30 M42's have 14 gal tank right? I think for us the light comes on with 2 gallons left, at least that's what someone told me.

carlos318is · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2009, 03:22:56 PM »

I have done about 45miles:eek: from when the light came on I didnt want to risk running out after that as it was going to be a long walk to the garage:(

monty23psk · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2009, 09:54:39 PM »

I got 32 miles once, was starting to stall as I pulled into gas station. I guess depends how you drive it the last 2 gallons.

bmw327 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2009, 10:57:46 PM »

As I understand it, the 318's have a 14.5 gal (55L) tank My light typically comes on at ~300 miles and the two times it came on, the car required 12.3 and 12.8 gal, respectively, yielding 23.8 and 24.5 mpg.

3seriesNut · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2009, 11:02:21 PM »

my gas light came on tonight when i was leaving the hospital at 290 miles i drove to the station and when i shut it down the trip odo was at 310miles. $11.67 or 4.88gal gave me a cunthair under 1/2 tank.

txleadfoot · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2009, 11:06:33 PM »

I just checked the owner's manual and yes, the fuel tank capacity on the 318i is 55 liters or 14.5 gal. Looks like I need to recalculate!

Quote from: bmw327;70543

As I understand it, the 318's have a 14.5 gal (55L) tank My light typically comes on at ~300 miles and the two times it came on, the car required 12.3 and 12.8 gal, respectively, yielding 23.8 and 24.5 mpg.

///m42 sport · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2009, 11:26:10 PM »

wow, looks like I'm too cautious. The most I've had to fill up was 11 gallons and I thought I was running on empty. Good info to know.

On a side note, I noticed my fill gauge is sporadic sometimes. Like it reads 1/4 full for a while, then 1/2 full then 1/3 full. There's no gradual decrease in fuel consumption. Does this have anything to do with the distribution of gas in the tank or is it more likely the gauge?

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2009, 01:44:14 AM »

i have run my car completely out of gas as i was pulling into a gas station and it took almost exactly 14 gallons to fill it up

Meister · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2009, 01:05:29 AM »

Mine comes on at around 290Miles on a full tank. The longest that I've driven with the light on was about 315Miles. I filled it up with almost 13 gallons

parker575 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2009, 02:37:16 PM »

The most I've put in is about 12.9 gallons, I've never completely emptied the tank.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2009, 08:37:41 PM »

huh, I thought mine had a 12.7 or something. I put 12.6 in it after it died pulling into the lot....

sports.racer · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2009, 10:35:29 PM »

I put about 12.6 or so gallons in when the light comes on. Not getting anywhere near 300 miles at that point though. Need to work on that.

twright · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2009, 05:53:48 AM »

I put a gallon of gas in the trunk, so that I could see how far mine would go after the light came on. On the highway (at 65 mph) my car went 41 miles until it was empty, after the light turned on.

YMMV.

Mrod 91 318IS · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:17:33 PM »

My light comes on at about 330 miles and when I fill up I usually have to put in about 13 gallons