Fuel Capacity and Reserve

[CarbonReptile]

The manual for the 2003 M3 lists the fuel capacity as 16.6 gal. and a reserve of 2.1 gal. Does this mean the car holds a total of 16.6, and that the Yellow light on the dash comes on when there are 2.1 gallons remaining?

 

[lpquick]

Yes, what you stated here is correct. Don't trust the light to come on exactly when you have 2.1 gal remaining, it could be off by as much as 1 gal give or take, so be conservative when you see the light, stop and get gas, don't play too much or carry a jerry can full and run it until it quits, then you'll know for sure. Each auto is a little different in the way its gas gauge and warning lights operate, kind of like your fingerprint, everyone's different.

 

[JGM3E3632]

yes, but I have taken my range limit so far that there was no number. It goes down to 9 miles left and then it just gives a dashed line. but lpquick is correct, just because the light goes on. Does not mean you have the 2.1 gal to the "T." Just do not push it too far.

 

[BMW-FW26]

I would trust it like an E30 speedometer.

 

[MrElussive]

Keep in mind that the "distance to empty" computers on cars are a little bit conservative. They don't want you to run out of gas and they don't want you to "push it" when the light comes on. Nobody wants their car running on fumes, hehe.

 

[Average Jae]

reminds me of the seinfeld ep where kramer goes on a test drive and takes the car to "where no car has gone before" (it's been a while since i saw that ep, so my quote's prolly wrong but wth..)

esp in winter, i try to fill up when i have about quarter tank left. when i really have to figure it out, more than the range, i go by my odometer. i reset the trip every time i fill up, and i know i'll at least get 350 or so miles per fill up.

 

[poboyis]

fill it up at 1/4 gal. its easiest on the fuel pump and is a good just-in-case

 

[CarbonReptile]

Thanks everyone. I'm a little obsessive with using Amoco Ultimate. When I can't find an Amoco, I tend to push it till I do. I know it's not good practice, but I've brought the trip computer to read "--" (i.e. below zero?). I've only done this once and don't intend to again. That was a little scary, yeah kinda like how the car salesman who took Kramer on the test drive felt.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

I would trust it like an E30 speedometer.

Yeah i find that the tacho and the temp gauges are the only true instrument displays that are accurate in the E30. My fuel gauge is an absolute bitch - it's all over the joint - and the speedo aint too flash either.