R56 Beware: Do not trust R56 gas gauge, stranded
#26
#27
People have reported getting upto 14.4 gallons into the tank, so you probably had a gallon left. Those last two petals seem to be about 4 litres each so you could easily have 2 petals and the gauge still be correct.
Its not the bottom of the tank where the inaccuracy is, it seems to be the top, I was looking at the fuel level coming out of the OBD port today while filling up (playing with a new version of "Rev" on the iPhone), I noticed that 100% was about 1.2 gallon before the pump shut off. So 100% is really 13.2 gallon, and you filled it up to 109%.
Its not the bottom of the tank where the inaccuracy is, it seems to be the top, I was looking at the fuel level coming out of the OBD port today while filling up (playing with a new version of "Rev" on the iPhone), I noticed that 100% was about 1.2 gallon before the pump shut off. So 100% is really 13.2 gallon, and you filled it up to 109%.
#28
People have reported getting upto 14.4 gallons into the tank, so you probably had a gallon left. Those last two petals seem to be about 4 litres each so you could easily have 2 petals and the gauge still be correct.
Its not the bottom of the tank where the inaccuracy is, it seems to be the top, I was looking at the fuel level coming out of the OBD port today while filling up (playing with a new version of "Rev" on the iPhone), I noticed that 100% was about 1.2 gallon before the pump shut off. So 100% is really 13.2 gallon, and you filled it up to 109%.
Its not the bottom of the tank where the inaccuracy is, it seems to be the top, I was looking at the fuel level coming out of the OBD port today while filling up (playing with a new version of "Rev" on the iPhone), I noticed that 100% was about 1.2 gallon before the pump shut off. So 100% is really 13.2 gallon, and you filled it up to 109%.
From another thread....
Mark
#30
Probably not good for the expensive ($400+) pump, but it is even more costly for your body to have the stress of 'low-fuel' on your mind.
Also, I will notice the 'extra dollars' of a 14 gallon fill a lot more than the 60 less miles driven for a 12 gallon fill.
And if the stress of 'watching an empty gas gauge' isn't enough, try the stress after it gets quiet from 'no-gas'.
Also, I will notice the 'extra dollars' of a 14 gallon fill a lot more than the 60 less miles driven for a 12 gallon fill.
And if the stress of 'watching an empty gas gauge' isn't enough, try the stress after it gets quiet from 'no-gas'.
#31
#32
As far as it being bad....well, the fuel does help cool the pump but I imagine the pump as a low level cutoff to protect the pump anyways.
I keep hearing people saying how it will destroy a pump but think about it, how many times have you seen a car on the side of the road that ran out of gas?
There is no doubt in my mind that the manufacturers build in some kind of safety cutoff built into the electronics as to not let the pump run on forever.
I'm sure there are a few insolated cases that it happens but for everytime that happens, I can show you a case of fuel pump failure with a full tank of gas.
(case in point, my fuel pump died when I owned the car for one week... I still had 1/2 tank of gas when that happened)
The newer cars have plastic tanks. I remember having steel tanks and cutting them open. There was rust, sludge and all sorts of crap that you would NEVER ever want to run your tank low.
The new plastic tanks are MUCH cleaner but I still think it's best not to run out and stress the pump out.
Mark
#34
I have no idea how the fuel pump is situation in the Mini or whether or not running the tank dry will allegedly hurt it.. but in older VW's, the reason you could destroy your pump by running dry was that it was submerged in the fuel tank and cooled by the fuel. VW specifically warned of this potential problem.
#35
Fill it with one carrot lit and you will pump past 13 when pump auto-shuts first time. Also not a good idea to keep 'topping' after auto-shutoff, as it will put gasoline into vent lines of your fuel tank's vapor control system.
#36
#37
I keep hearing people saying how it will destroy a pump but think about it, how many times have you seen a car on the side of the road that ran out of gas?
There is no doubt in my mind that the manufacturers build in some kind of safety cutoff built into the electronics as to not let the pump run on forever.
The newer cars have plastic tanks. I remember having steel tanks and cutting them open. There was rust, sludge and all sorts of crap that you would NEVER ever want to run your tank low.
The new plastic tanks are MUCH cleaner but I still think it's best not to run out and stress the pump out.
The new plastic tanks are MUCH cleaner but I still think it's best not to run out and stress the pump out.
#38
I can't recall the last time I saw this. Don't think I've ever seen a MINI on the side of the road, having run out of gas. I did see a Clubman getting flatbedded away from a school parking lot. I think it belonged to a teacher. I saw it there everytime I passed the school. Don't recall seeing it recently.
I wonder. My 2007 owners manual says, "Do not continue driving to the point where the fuel tank is totally empty. Otherwise engine performance is not guaranteed and damage could occur."
I can understand why the rust wouldn't be in a plastic tank, but the steel of the old tanks didn't generate the sludge. Why wouldn't it be found in a plastic tank?
If you're old enough to remember carbs, then you're old enough to remember how crappy the filtering system was. I'm sure it's safe to say that today's fuel is much more refined in the pure sense. Fuel injection won't take the crap that the carb'd cars did.
Bottom line of this discussion is that I'm sure it's more rare than not to ruin a fuel pump from running out of gas. Is it good for it? I would think not.
Could it trash your fuel pump? I'm sure it's possible but highly not probable.
And for BMW to save a few pennies by not installing something (sensor, cut off switch, etc) would be ridiculous because trashing a fuel pump could be the least of the consequences. what about starving a motor for fuel, causing it to run lean and burning a hole in the top of the piston because of no fuel?
I'd think not.
Mark
#40
Ran Out of Gas Again
It turned out that both of the fuel level sensors in his tank were bad. Replaced under warranty. Sounds like you may have the same problem!
#41
#42
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I thought that one handled the first half of the tank and the other the second half so if the second one covering the lower half is not doing its job it shows 1/2 tank at the best until it runs out. I would try to not go in with a full tank that way it is less chance of them spilling into the car as the tank access is under the back seat.
#43
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