04-06-2019, 09:48 AM | #1 |
Captain
467
Rep 680
Posts |
Range display and fuel tank capacity
On a trip to a spring training game a few weeks back, I thought I was going to run out of gas.
We got off the interstate and were taking a more local road to Orlando. I had an indicated 50 miles left until I ran out of gas. After 40 miles with nothing even resembling a gas station, or civilization for that matter I started to get nervous. I remembered the iDrive function that finds the nearest gas stations and pulled it up. I had 10 miles left and the closest gas station was 16. Crap. Well, eventually the range indicated 0 and I had 6 miles to the gas station that I REALLY hoped existed. After it was @ 0 for a minute, it actually changed to to dashes - - Well, we made it to the gas station and the car took 13.1 gallons (no top off). That wasn't a fun experience. I was recalling my old german car days when some of the VDO gauges didn't have an E, but an R for reserve. I was hoping this car had similar. So seeing that the tank capacity is 13.7 gallons, I likely had another 10 miles to go before I really ran out. That tells me the range is a bit pessimistic, which is a good thing. Just some good info if anyone ends up in this situation. IF I'd known I may have sweat a bit less during those last miles. I was so happy after filling up that I got clocked @ 86 in a 60....and the Sheriff let me off with a warning.....but that's a different story. We made first pitch.
__________________
2004 E46 ///M3 SMG Convertible Carbon Blk\Imola
2017 LBB ///M2 DCT 2013 Porsche Boxster S |
04-06-2019, 10:10 AM | #3 |
Banned
756
Rep 2,149
Posts |
I get a "fuel reserve" warning when I have about 1/3 tank left. Then it takes roughly 8-9 gallons to fill it up. Meaning there is still 5-6 gallons left in the tank when the fuel reserve comes on.
With my driving, 5-6 gallons also is estimated to last 50 miles LOL |
Appreciate
0
|
04-07-2019, 08:44 AM | #4 |
New Member
24
Rep 15
Posts |
One of the reasons why the gauges are a bit pessimistic in reporting distance to empty is very important to you.
The fuel pumps in nearly all modern cars are located inside the fuel tank. there's a host of reasons why this is a good idea, one of them being the reliability increase of the electric pump when it's located there. Because the pumps is actually inside the tank, not attached to the outside, or inline to the engine, the electric motor is submerged in fuel. That means the pump motor is being cooled by the fuel, effectively negating the major cause of electric motor failure, heat. When the fuel level gets low, or very low, the pump motor can be exposed to air, which does not dissipate heat as well as liquids, and the pump can experience higher than normal temperatures. It's not a big deal right now, but find yourself in 100F+ ambient temps and there is some additional risk of wear to the electric pump motor. It will take quite a bit of that happening to cause any real problems, but it's easier for the OEM to urge you to add fuel early. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-07-2019, 10:43 AM | #6 |
Moderator
28912
Rep 13,047
Posts |
I already managed to fuel almost 54 liter (14.2 gallons) (official fuel tank capacity of the M2 is "approx. 52 liter" or "approx. 13.7 gallons").
During a 1200 km trip I planned to make it to a fuel station on the Autobahn, low on fuel. However, because of road works the fuel station was closed. The road works and traffic queue were never ending while the fuel range dropped to 0 km and the OBC kept bombarding me with low fuel warnings. So I got off the Autobahn as soon as I could and frantically looked around for fuel stations. I don't remember how many kilometer I drove with fuel range 0 km. I did not check, but generally you still got about 20 km of range reserve when the fuel gauge indicates empty. Anyways, better avoid this situation, because running on empty, or close to empty, ain't good for the system (see for example here).
__________________
///M is art ↔ Artemis
|
Appreciate
1
McGary911467.00 |
04-07-2019, 10:50 AM | #7 |
Private
97
Rep 87
Posts
Drives: S54 M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Woodlands, TX
|
This is a very useful/good post. Thank you. Fox Alpha.
__________________
Current: 20 X3MC[]19 GT-R[]17 M2[]18 TACO[]17 WRX[]14 T4R LTD&SR5[]12 NV2500[]07 Exige S[]07 S2k[]05 M3[]03 M3[]02 MCoupe[]94 MR2T[]93 MR2 T[]92 MR2 T[]91 MR2 T[]95 SC400[]
Gone but not forgotten: 04 STI[]05 MR2 Spyder[]04 S2k[]03 IS300[]90 MR2[] |
Appreciate
0
|
04-07-2019, 11:28 AM | #8 |
Captain
477
Rep 755
Posts
Drives: M2
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: PNW
|
I was just about to say the most annoying thing about this car is the small fuel tank. Once I cross into Germany and make the jump to light speed, I can actually see the gas needle going down and I have to start looking for an Aral Station so I can fill up with 102 octane...I know it's a first world problem but still... lol
I do have an auxiliary system installed which keeps reminding me to get fuel once the gauge drops below a 1/4 tank. She sits in the passenger seat and also reminds me there is no grab handle to hold on to!
__________________
'17 M2 DCT Long Beach Blue
Last edited by dtmurf; 04-12-2019 at 01:51 PM.. |
Appreciate
4
|
04-07-2019, 11:44 AM | #9 | |
Moderator
28912
Rep 13,047
Posts |
Quote:
'Intelligent Speed Assistance' (ISA) will be mandatory in EU from 2022 onwards (see here), but, hey look, it already features on my wife.
__________________
///M is art ↔ Artemis
|
|
Appreciate
2
Project_F871231.00 dtmurf477.00 |
04-11-2019, 06:07 PM | #10 | |
Captain
496
Rep 812
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Formally known as BMWM3NYC
|
|
Appreciate
1
Project_F871231.00 |
04-11-2019, 07:26 PM | #11 |
.
13117
Rep 8,300
Posts |
I panic if the reserve warning come on, but I almost always fill up my M2 after driving it, so it's full of gas most of time. My old T5 Volvo died on the spot once it said - - - on the display.
__________________
///
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-13-2019, 05:27 AM | #12 |
Living the aloha
240
Rep 449
Posts |
I have hit the lines in this car and every other that I have owned on a regular basis. No issues for any of them.
I estimate you have 20 miles left when you get to the dashes. I have gone 15 miles before. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-13-2019, 09:20 AM | #13 |
First Lieutenant
499
Rep 339
Posts |
Don't know why anyone would want to push it that far - especially on a "regular basis".
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-19-2019, 12:02 PM | #14 | |
Registered
0
Rep 1
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-19-2019, 07:28 PM | #15 |
Colonel
1418
Rep 2,559
Posts
Drives: Rapidly from A to B
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chicago 'burbs or TN Smokies
|
Big appetite for gas with a small tank. One of the opportunities to improve in the next iteration of the M2. Just generally annoying. Especially when I go to the track. I need 2.5 tanks to get through six 25 minute sessions. I have to use two credit cards because my card gets cut off for suspected fraud for too many gas purchases at the same station on the same day.
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-19-2019, 08:30 PM | #16 | |
Colonel
3763
Rep 2,700
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Fun/HPDE: 2023 M3 6MT Individual Malachite
Past:2023 M4 CSL, 2022 M4C Vert, 2020 M340i, 2018 M2, 2015 M235i, 2008 135i 550whp Daily: 2023 X5 45e Daily/Family: 2021 Atlas Cross Sport 3.6 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-20-2019, 03:58 PM | #17 |
Brigadier General
1622
Rep 3,402
Posts |
So you're complaining that the range is too conservative? Guess we all have to find something to complain about. Fact is the system uses all of the driving data available so even though you drove conservatively during those last miles and got better gas mileage if your like most you drove more aggressively earlier in the history which is one reason for the discrepancy. The other is of course they are going to be very conservative , imagine the post that says the car said I had 10 miles to go and I ran out.
Finally if you read your owners manual you will see a caution against running the car out of gas or even running the tank too low as it can cause damage to do so. That's a pretty good reason for the system to estimate in a manner that preserves some fuel. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-20-2019, 04:00 PM | #18 | |
Brigadier General
1622
Rep 3,402
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-23-2019, 08:38 AM | #19 | |
Private First Class
134
Rep 177
Posts |
Quote:
I may soon install an ejector switch to remedy this! |
|
Appreciate
1
dtmurf477.00 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|