Fuel capacity and fuel warning indicator information

Citizen Z · 04-22-2009, 01:56 AM

The 1er fuel tank capacity is listed at 14 gallons / 53 liters per the user manual. The fuel lamp indicator comes on at 30 miles/50km remaining based on average usage since the last time the user reset the economy guage.

Yesterday I drove my 1er all the way down to 13 miles remaining range at which point I refueled it to maximum, including one click past the initial *cachunk* to even fill the fuel stem into the gas tank and put in 13.101 gallons. I had been getting about 23mpg at 77mph average on the very hilly Interstate Highway 44 section between St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri. Based on this, I'd say that once you reach zero (0) miles remaining on the dashboard remaining fuel range indicator in the multifunction display, you have at minimum 1/2 gallon remaining in your fuel system. I'm sure its an intentional buffer to prevent drivers from completely emptying their fuel tank.

I just though people might like to know.

/insomnia

akak1997 · 04-22-2009, 02:03 AM

13miles!? you do love playing chicken!
Thanks for the info tho. Good to know

scorcherjf · 04-22-2009, 02:07 AM

Yea I drove it until it said 18 miles left and when I filled it up was still shy of 13 gallons

tbird · 04-22-2009, 06:22 AM

Very good info, thanks CitizenZ.

To all that read this, just another friendly reminder, that if your car runs out of gas, it is $500 to reset the car.

Mark M · 04-22-2009, 06:34 AM

$500 to reset? What needs reset? Just throw more fuel in the tank right? Or are there more bells and whistles computer code to complicate matters?

Citizen Z · 04-22-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark M

$500 to reset? What needs reset? Just throw more fuel in the tank right? Or are there more bells and whistles computer code to complicate matters?

The HPFP doesn't just bend over and take running out of fuel. The whole system has to be re-primed by a BMW mechanic. These arn't your Chevy Impalas.

former · 04-22-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

The HPFP doesn't just bend over and take running out of fuel. The whole system has to be re-primed by a BMW mechanic. These arn't your Chevy Impalas.

While I appreciate the humor, if this is true, that's rather sad. Though it has been quite some time since I've run out of gas in a car I've driven, the consumer expectation would be something along the lines of:

Run out of gas
Call BMW Assist (or better yet AAA plus)
Replace gas
Continue on journey

Tj303 · 04-22-2009, 08:37 AM

yep, i've worked out that when the range to empty on the computer shows 0km, you still have enough juice to get you another 25km with an average fuel consumption of around 10.5L/100km... below are the figures i based this on:

Actual
Fuel consumption - 10.44L/100 km
Remaining fuel = 9.56 litres (good for another 91km @ 10.44L/100km)

Indicated display
Fuel consumption - 10.2L/100 km
66km to empty

So, 91 - 66 = 25km left.

I travelled 416km before having to fill up, so my car would have been able to travel 507km before i had to start pushing

john08135i · 04-22-2009, 09:10 AM

Ive run mine past ZERO a few times.. 10 more miles easy

123D-M · 04-22-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john08135i

Ive run mine past ZERO a few times.. 10 more miles easy

I've gone way past zero. I got caught once on an autobahn as I was planning to buy fuel in Luxembourg (really cheap fuel there) and there are very few filling stations along the way. I still made it. Must have gone at least 50kms past 0.

So I think the car has quite a large buffer built in.

BForbes · 04-22-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbird

To all that read this, just another friendly reminder, that if your car runs out of gas, it is $500 to reset the car.

Thats good to know. Its a bit ridiculous IMO, but it is what it is. It dosent matter what I drive, I refuel when the gas light comes on.

JasonCSU · 04-22-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john08135i

Ive run mine past ZERO a few times.. 10 more miles easy

I've gone past once as well. It's funny seeing the range on the gauge display listed as all dashes.

JHZR2 · 04-22-2009, 04:29 PM

fuel flow cools the lift pump... too little, the pump gets hotter amd wear increases.

jeremyc74 · 04-22-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BForbes

Thats good to know. Its a bit ridiculous IMO, but it is what it is. It dosent matter what I drive, I refuel when the gas light comes on.

I'm not going to believe that until I hear it from a tech. The HPFP is being forcefed by the in-tank pump, and there's no reason I can think of why it shouldn't just push the air out and fire the engine after a few cranks.

Citizen Z · 04-22-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

I'm not going to believe that until I hear it from a tech. The HPFP is being forcefed by the in-tank pump, and there's no reason I can think of why it shouldn't just push the air out and fire the engine after a few cranks.

Probably right but can we get Mad Dragon to weigh in? How do you page that guy, is there a Mad Dragon light (like the Bat-light)?

MadMan77 · 04-22-2009, 09:06 PM

I cannot remember where it said it but I believe it a fuel "reserve" built into the system. I think it was close to 2.6 gallons although I am pretty sure I am off on that figure.

Citizen Z · 04-22-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMan77

I cannot remember where it said it but I believe it a fuel "reserve" built into the system. I think it was close to 2.6 gallons although I am pretty sure I am off on that figure.

Link or ban.

Naw, just kidding. Just try to find a source, otherwise it just spreads misinformation.

MadMan77 · 04-22-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

Link or ban.

Naw, just kidding. Just try to find a source, otherwise it just spreads misinformation.

Page 151 of the paper copy (146 of the pdf manual w/o iDrive) of the owner's manual states that there is a 14.0 gallon tank with a reserve of 2.1 gallons.

Like I said, I was off with the reserve figure...

Tj303 · 04-23-2009, 05:40 AM

ppl who constantly don't fill up until near empty are also clogging their fuel filters prematurely

JHZR2 · 04-23-2009, 06:57 AM

huh?!? based upon what? solids in there are solids in there. they are whipped and sucked up or not. I do not see the possibility of this, so please state your basis.

Citizen Z · 04-23-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tj303

ppl who constantly don't fill up until near empty are also clogging their fuel filters prematurely

How do you figure? You think there is so much crap that comes out of suspension in gasoline that running the car down to the point where you suck up that mythical crap will clog the filter? I think gasoline is cleaner than you are giving it credit for. This maybe true on a 200,000 mile car which has had plenty of time to accumulate misc debris in the gas tank but in general I'm pretty sure gasoline is gasoline and you could run the tank down to zero and all you'd ever always get is gasoline. Not some mythical "sludge."

Tj303 · 04-23-2009, 07:16 AM

well i figure that as your petrol level gets lower, any particulate matter becomes more concentrated in your tank -- the intake will therefore suck in more of whatever concentrated gunk there is from the bottom of the tank.

Anyway, i choose not to run the tank down to anywhere near 0 for many other reasons -- number 1 is that i don't want to have to get out to push

04-22-2009, 01:56 AM	#1
Citizen Z Alpine Master 111 Rep 1,310 Posts Drives: '08 135i AW Sport Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas iTrader: (1)	Fuel capacity and fuel warning indicator information The 1er fuel tank capacity is listed at 14 gallons / 53 liters per the user manual. The fuel lamp indicator comes on at 30 miles/50km remaining based on average usage since the last time the user reset the economy guage. Yesterday I drove my 1er all the way down to 13 miles remaining range at which point I refueled it to maximum, including one click past the initial cachunk to even fill the fuel stem into the gas tank and put in 13.101 gallons. I had been getting about 23mpg at 77mph average on the very hilly Interstate Highway 44 section between St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri. Based on this, I'd say that once you reach zero (0) miles remaining on the dashboard remaining fuel range indicator in the multifunction display, you have at minimum 1/2 gallon remaining in your fuel system. I'm sure its an intentional buffer to prevent drivers from completely emptying their fuel tank. I just though people might like to know. /insomnia __________________ Alpine White with Taupe Leather 135i, Sports Package, Heated Seats, Comfort Access, iPod Adapter Fastness: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252727
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04-22-2009, 02:03 AM	#2
akak1997 Major 64 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: BMW 135 @ 135mph Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	13miles!? you do love playing chicken! Thanks for the info tho. Good to know
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04-22-2009, 02:07 AM	#3
scorcherjf Captain 29 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	Yea I drove it until it said 18 miles left and when I filled it up was still shy of 13 gallons __________________
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04-22-2009, 06:22 AM	#4
tbird Captain 31 Rep 683 Posts Drives: "Bianca" 135cic AW/TC Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: FLL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135cic [0.00]	Very good info, thanks CitizenZ. To all that read this, just another friendly reminder, that if your car runs out of gas, it is $500 to reset the car. __________________ 2008 135cic, Alpine White/Terracotta Leather/BlackTop, Premium Package (Bluetooth, folding mirrors, etc), Sport Package with M Wheel, Navigation, Logic7 with HD and IPod and Sirius, Steptronic, M Aerodynamic Kit 2001 Focus ZX3, modified for fun commuting Previous 2006 325xi 2002 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro 1997 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro 1984 Audi 4000S Quattro modified 1955 Ford Thunderbird 1969 Camaro modified 1993 Ford Explorer (basic hauling) 1984+1988 Ford Broncos 1993 Honda Civic (Commuter, junk) 2008 Mini (wife's car, AWESOME) A few more
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04-22-2009, 06:34 AM	#5
Mark M Major 240 Rep 1,288 Posts Drives: E30M3 E83X3 E90335D Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lancaster, PA iTrader: (0)	$500 to reset? What needs reset? Just throw more fuel in the tank right? Or are there more bells and whistles computer code to complicate matters?
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04-22-2009, 08:37 AM	#8
Tj303 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 259 Posts Drives: 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	yep, i've worked out that when the range to empty on the computer shows 0km, you still have enough juice to get you another 25km with an average fuel consumption of around 10.5L/100km... below are the figures i based this on: Actual Fuel consumption - 10.44L/100 km Remaining fuel = 9.56 litres (good for another 91km @ 10.44L/100km) Indicated display Fuel consumption - 10.2L/100 km 66km to empty So, 91 - 66 = 25km left. I travelled 416km before having to fill up, so my car would have been able to travel 507km before i had to start pushing __________________
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04-22-2009, 09:10 AM	#9
john08135i Major 77 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	Ive run mine past ZERO a few times.. 10 more miles easy
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04-22-2009, 04:29 PM	#13
JHZR2 Major 74 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	fuel flow cools the lift pump... too little, the pump gets hotter amd wear increases.
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04-22-2009, 09:06 PM	#16
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	I cannot remember where it said it but I believe it a fuel "reserve" built into the system. I think it was close to 2.6 gallons although I am pretty sure I am off on that figure. __________________
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04-23-2009, 05:40 AM	#19
Tj303 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 259 Posts Drives: 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	ppl who constantly don't fill up until near empty are also clogging their fuel filters prematurely __________________
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04-23-2009, 06:57 AM	#20
JHZR2 Major 74 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	huh?!? based upon what? solids in there are solids in there. they are whipped and sucked up or not. I do not see the possibility of this, so please state your basis.
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04-23-2009, 07:16 AM	#22
Tj303 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 259 Posts Drives: 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	well i figure that as your petrol level gets lower, any particulate matter becomes more concentrated in your tank -- the intake will therefore suck in more of whatever concentrated gunk there is from the bottom of the tank. Anyway, i choose not to run the tank down to anywhere near 0 for many other reasons -- number 1 is that i don't want to have to get out to push __________________
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