My trip computer saids I have gas for 4 more miles. And... - Page 2

Kev · #11 10-15-2013, 03:02 PM

Well, actually I did... a long way past. 2005 3.0D Euro X5.

Driving from Milan to Krakow I was waiting to get through Czech republic to fill up with the cheaper Polish fuel. Crossing the border I had 70km...

...then 16km, and once on the A4, it dropped to 7km and then the dreaded ---.

So I'm driving at the most economic speed (60kph or so). Next petrol station on the motorway is 10km.

No way! The bloody station is closed!!!! So take the next exit, still on ---

Probably already 10km on --- . Sat nav is telling me theres a station 10km on the left.

Closed again !!!! - Bear in mind its -10 (celsius), I have NO cash, and theres not a soul in sight.

Then I see this old guy waiting for a bus. I try to explain that I'm beyond empty, and evetually resort to calling the wife (that explains the problem in Polish to him).

Nie ma problemu! He offers to guide me to the nearest petrol station.

Closed!

To cut a long story short, 5km later (so a good 35km after the ---) we find a station and I thank the guy with a bottle of Vodka and lift home.

Not something I will make a habit of, but you could also try this....

Test 9 of the OBC diagnostics (pls search) shows the fuel left in the tank(s)

I say tankS because theres a reserve tank. I didn't know about this then or I would tell you what the brain of the X was saying, but my guess is that it wasn't 0/0.

That's all really. As the guys before said. It's based on your last driving style but I'm guessing that when you saw it drop below 20 miles you moderated the right foot to squezze the most out of it so... maybe my story will help

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X5Flyboy · #12 10-15-2013, 03:37 PM

Okay, now I have context. Been there. Out here in the real west (between the sierras & the Mississippi river), you start looking for a gas station before you hit a 1/4 tank as the exits are far apart and there is not a gas station at every exit. And diesel is still not everywhere outside of town.

Got caught leaving on a trip from Idaho to South Carolina..., without my wallet. I did have a keyring code device that Exxon used to use, so I kept driving. But at Cheyenne, WY I realized there were no more Exxon stations until Missouri. Fortunately, I did have trip money that was not in my wallet, but now the car got fed, not me. Towing a trailer, traveling 10-15 mph below the speed limit, no credit cards, (no license!), my last partial fillup was paid with coins from the ashtray (less my last $10 bill) as not every Exxon station accepted the keyring code device; I limped into Nashville, TN, where I found an Exxon that did. South Carolina (& my wallet, mailed to my sister) were in the gas tank and I spent the $10 bill on a big breakfast. Like I said, been there.

Qsilver7 · #13 10-16-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev

... but you could also try this....

Test 9 of the OBC diagnostics (pls search) shows the fuel left in the tank(s)

I say tankS because theres a reserve tank.

Just an FYI:

OBC TEST 6 (not 9) reveals the amount of fuel in the tank...the 1st screen reveals the amount being recorded by each fuel level sensor + the approx amount remaining in the tank (in liters).

There is no "physical" reserve tank. The reserve fuel use is indicated by the fuel level sensors illuminating the LOW FUEL WARNING when a specific amount of fuel remains in the tank. The amount is different based on which engine you have.

(when the low fuel light warning illuminates...THIS IS your RESERVE fuel being used)

(note: the 2.1 or 2.6 reserve amount is INCLUDED in the total 24.6 gal/93 liter tank capacity)

Qsilver7 · #14 10-16-2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaubenz

So looks like no one took it pass zero on the trip computer. But if someone have let me know.

The lowest I let the tank get was on July 30, 2013 this year. Upon fill up...I put in 23.312 gallons of fuel...which means I was down to approx 1.2 gallons.

And looking at my AVG MPG of approx 14.5 MPG...I had about 18.67 miles of fuel left in the tank.

bcredliner · #15 10-16-2013, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

The lowest I let the tank get was on July 30, 2013 this year. Upon fill up...I put in 23.312 gallons of fuel...which means I was down to approx 1.2 gallons.

And looking at my AVG MPG of approx 14.5 MPG...I had about 18.67 miles of fuel left in the tank.

Very interesting and useful spreadsheet--I'm going to copy it---thanks. I seem to recall that some time ago I made a comment that was probably about this file. That was obviously a rush to judgment without enough troubleshooting-very counterproductive. Oopsie.

srmmmm · #16 10-16-2013, 04:39 PM

I've seen a negative 14 miles appear on my wife's 325i on an initial engine startup. She was too tired to fill up the tank the night before, and left it for me to "risk" the next morning. I only had to drive two miles and put exactly 16.5 gallons into the 16.5 gallon tank.

I typically run my X5 down to 20 miles left and routinely put 24+ gallons of fuel in the tank. Like some other drivers' postings, I suspect my tank's capacity is greater than what's published in the owners manual because I've put in as much as 25.2 gallons.

2002 X5 3.0 241,000 miles
2004 325i 107,000 miles

Qsilver7 · #17 10-16-2013, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Very interesting and useful spreadsheet--I'm going to copy it---thanks. I seem to recall that some time ago I made a comment that was probably about this file. That was obviously a rush to judgment without enough troubleshooting-very counterproductive. Oopsie.

Thanks. I use it for IRS purposes...as well as a quick glance at fuel use/consumption in case something drastically changes...and there's other charts I keep track of...like mileage & change-over dates on my summer & winter tires, and all expenses etc., oil change dates and mileage, etc.

And once I set up the formulas...I just insert the required data in the fields and let Excel "crunch" the nbrs...then at the beginning of the year...just copy and paste into a new workbook (so I don't have to redo the forumlas)...and just clear content.