When the gas tank goes to empty, is there another reserve?

undecided · 12-24-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbrett

I know this is a funny question, but I work in a remote military installation, and sometimes I am in a situation where I have to drive far off base to get gas. In my last car, an Acura TL, the car would count down to 0 (miles to empty), but it would let me go another 20-25 miles after it was on empty? Anyone chance it, go lower than 0? Or does it hit 0 and you're done?

I was kind of freaking out....

stressdoc · 12-24-2007, 10:17 PM

Got in my car the other day and it went from 11 miles to -- in about 30 secs. Had to get the kids to school, only about 5 miles then another 3 to the only station with 93 octane. Filled it up, took 16.03 gallons. So if the tank is 16.1 (anyone have data? fill up > 16.1?), then there is not much left after the gauge reads --

Ian335i · 12-25-2007, 12:53 AM

In my experience....

My Volvo 850 tubo, when it said 0 it meant ZERO, and the engine started stuttering and I couldn't go more than 5mph. In my 325i you have a little bit of wiggle room, I've run it down to --- more than a few times. I haven't gotten that low on my 335i yet, but I'll bet you can go at least a few miles after --- but I don't really want to try it.

Arustik1 · 12-25-2007, 01:24 AM

30 mi on reserve tank!

LACA335i · 12-25-2007, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbrett

I know this is a funny question, but I work in a remote military installation, and sometimes I am in a situation where I have to drive far off base to get gas. In my last car, an Acura TL, the car would count down to 0 (miles to empty), but it would let me go another 20-25 miles after it was on empty? Anyone chance it, go lower than 0? Or does it hit 0 and you're done?

yes there is a reserve tank however, that is was not design for daily driver. It was design for short distance so you can get find gas station.

Grumpa72 · 12-25-2007, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaws

You'll get those that argue that you risk getting the dregs in the bottom of the tank pulled through the fuel system but there is plenty of screening and filtering anyway so IMO the potential harm is overstated. There's no reason to think that any gunk wouldn't be sucked up by the fuel pump anyway.

The flaw in your thinking is that the fuel tank sucks/pumps fuel from the pickup located in the bottom of the tank. Any garbage in the tank gets sucked down first. Of course, if you have floaties or wood chips then they float.

Jaws · 12-25-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpa72

The flaw in your thinking is that the fuel tank sucks/pumps fuel from the pickup located in the bottom of the tank. Any garbage in the tank gets sucked down first. Of course, if you have floaties or wood chips then they float.

There's no reason to think that any gunk wouldn't be sucked up by the fuel pump anyway.

I think that's what I said

raleedy · 12-25-2007, 09:21 AM

1. There is only one tank.
2. When about 2 gallons remain, a light comes on.
3. There is a computer that estimates remaining driving range.
4. There is an owner's manual that recommends refueling without delay when the remaining driving range shown by the computer is 30 miles or less.
5. 30 miles is about 50 kilometers.
6. The owner's manual warns of potential damage (unspecified) from running the fuel level too low.

What else do you need to know?

Rips335iCoupe · 12-25-2007, 09:37 AM

Let’s remember, that even after the tank is empty, you still have the gas remaining in the gas line from the tank to the fuel injectors. I have calculated that amount, and you still have .36921 of a gallon of gas left. I have provided a breakdown of how many miles you have left, depending on the setup of your car.

Stock – 7.31 miles
SSTT – 6.43 miles
AA – 5.12 miles
Dinan – 3.54 miles
JB2 – 1.97 miles
Procede – 10 feet (with only 2 limp modes)

So, don't worry ... you have plenty of time to fill up ... go ahead ... try to make that next gas station!

purplewidow · 12-25-2007, 10:11 AM

i just saw someone in the oil business saying how you shouldn't let it get below a half tank....don't really know how exactly it is bad for the tanks system but supposedly it is not a positive thing!!!! so i wouldn't let it get to empty all the time...wish i could find that!!!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!

poiney · 12-25-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplewidow

i just saw someone in the oil business saying how you shouldn't let it get below a half tank....don't really know how exactly it is bad for the tanks system but supposedly it is not a positive thing!!!! so i wouldn't let it get to empty all the time...wish i could find that!!!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!

I guess if the someone from the oil biz decrees that we shouldn't let it go below half tank, then it must be official

Gort · 12-25-2007, 01:15 PM

Yes

Skeeter44 · 12-25-2007, 04:22 PM

This thread is funny. One tank with a conservative meter.

I usually wait until near zero to fill or (or sometimes near Costco) My 540 went to zero and beyond maybe 20 + times and I never ran out - the most I pushed it was maybe 15 miles. I have done the same thing in my Jeep about 15 times.

You guys who think this is insane behavior are just too anal about your gas guage - my wife thinks she needs to fill up when it is below 1/2.

12-24-2007, 10:17 PM	#46
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	Got in my car the other day and it went from 11 miles to -- in about 30 secs. Had to get the kids to school, only about 5 miles then another 3 to the only station with 93 octane. Filled it up, took 16.03 gallons. So if the tank is 16.1 (anyone have data? fill up > 16.1?), then there is not much left after the gauge reads -- __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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12-25-2007, 12:53 AM	#47
Ian335i BMW Lover 7 Rep 216 Posts Drives: E53 X5, E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indialantic, Fl iTrader: (0)	In my experience.... My Volvo 850 tubo, when it said 0 it meant ZERO, and the engine started stuttering and I couldn't go more than 5mph. In my 325i you have a little bit of wiggle room, I've run it down to --- more than a few times. I haven't gotten that low on my 335i yet, but I'll bet you can go at least a few miles after --- but I don't really want to try it. __________________ October 11th 2010 ED - '11 E93 M3: Silverstone, ext fox red, 6MT, Tech, Prem2, 19s, Park Dist, Navi, Prem Sound, 6FL '08 E93 335i TiAg/Coral - ED 11/05/07, PC re-delivery 1/15/08 '06 E53 X5 4.4i TiAg/Black - ZPP, ZSP, Park-Dist, Navi, Rear Clim & Ent, mega tint! '03 E46 325i TiAg/Grey - retired 1/08
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12-25-2007, 01:24 AM	#48
Arustik1 HYEPWR 99 Rep 2,868 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	30 mi on reserve tank! __________________ 2002 330ci Titanium Silver / Gray 2005 X5 3.0i Black Sapphire Metallic / Black 2002 M3 Laguna Seca Blue / Black 2001 M5 Jet Black / Black
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12-25-2007, 09:21 AM	#52
raleedy Colonel 160 Rep 2,248 Posts Drives: 2016 228i 6-speed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	1. There is only one tank. 2. When about 2 gallons remain, a light comes on. 3. There is a computer that estimates remaining driving range. 4. There is an owner's manual that recommends refueling without delay when the remaining driving range shown by the computer is 30 miles or less. 5. 30 miles is about 50 kilometers. 6. The owner's manual warns of potential damage (unspecified) from running the fuel level too low. What else do you need to know?
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12-25-2007, 09:37 AM	#53
Rips335iCoupe Banned 28 Rep 947 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Goodyear, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	Let’s remember, that even after the tank is empty, you still have the gas remaining in the gas line from the tank to the fuel injectors. I have calculated that amount, and you still have .36921 of a gallon of gas left. I have provided a breakdown of how many miles you have left, depending on the setup of your car. Stock – 7.31 miles SSTT – 6.43 miles AA – 5.12 miles Dinan – 3.54 miles JB2 – 1.97 miles Procede – 10 feet (with only 2 limp modes) So, don't worry ... you have plenty of time to fill up ... go ahead ... try to make that next gas station! Last edited by Rips335iCoupe; 12-25-2007 at 10:00 AM..
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12-25-2007, 10:11 AM	#54
purplewidow Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,928 Posts Drives: e92 335 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (2)	i just saw someone in the oil business saying how you shouldn't let it get below a half tank....don't really know how exactly it is bad for the tanks system but supposedly it is not a positive thing!!!! so i wouldn't let it get to empty all the time...wish i could find that!!!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!!
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12-25-2007, 01:15 PM	#56
Gort Klaatu Barada Nikto 28 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 2017 X3-35i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: A Bipolar Planet iTrader: (0)	Yes
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12-25-2007, 04:22 PM	#57
Skeeter44 Private 23 Rep 73 Posts Drives: e39 540i6 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	This thread is funny. One tank with a conservative meter. I usually wait until near zero to fill or (or sometimes near Costco) My 540 went to zero and beyond maybe 20 + times and I never ran out - the most I pushed it was maybe 15 miles. I have done the same thing in my Jeep about 15 times. You guys who think this is insane behavior are just too anal about your gas guage - my wife thinks she needs to fill up when it is below 1/2.
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