530i Fuel Tank Capacity and Reserve Tank
03-06-2009, 08:56 AM
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530i Fuel Tank Capacity and Reserve Tank
I searched for a couple of hours, no luck on this question.
I read the manual, very little info.
So, I think the Total Fuel Tank Capacity is 18.5 gal (aprox)
The manual says the Reserve Tank is 2.1 gal
Q1: Is the 18.5 gal the absolute total? i.e. I can only load a max of 18.5 physically into the car; or I am really filling up to 20.6 gal, including the reserve tank.
Q2: (Probably stupid question
) Why do we need a reserve tank? Is there a mechanical advantage? How does it work? Why should the car even have one with modern sensors that call tell the current capacity?
Thanks for your comments!
I searched for a couple of hours, no luck on this question.
I read the manual, very little info.
So, I think the Total Fuel Tank Capacity is 18.5 gal (aprox)
The manual says the Reserve Tank is 2.1 gal
Q1: Is the 18.5 gal the absolute total? i.e. I can only load a max of 18.5 physically into the car; or I am really filling up to 20.6 gal, including the reserve tank.
Q2: (Probably stupid question
) Why do we need a reserve tank? Is there a mechanical advantage? How does it work? Why should the car even have one with modern sensors that call tell the current capacity?Thanks for your comments!
03-06-2009, 09:59 AM
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The lowest I ran my car down to was 50 miles and the gas gage needle was halfway between 0 and 1/4. I took about 15.5 gallons to refill. Based on that I would assume that when the needle hits 0 or darn close, you are truly out of gas and the warning lite come on before the needle hits 0. Most cars I have driven still have gas at or real near to 0.
03-06-2009, 10:06 AM
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi - Titanium Silver Metallic / Gray Dakota Leather / Dark Poplar Wood Trim / Cold Weather Package / Premium Package / Premium Sound Package / Lumbar Support / Xenon Adaptive Light Control / 6 speed auto - Steptronic Trans. /Sirius Satellite Radio / Voice Activation / Navigation / Moonroof
Moral of the story . . . . .don't let the fuel get below a quarter tank. 
03-06-2009, 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by one4thethumb' post='809423' date='Mar 6 2009, 03:06 PM
Moral of the story . . . . .don't let the fuel get below a quarter tank.
03-06-2009, 01:33 PM
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My Ride: 2005 530i, Orient Blue, M-tech Front, otherwise stock.
Lowest I've ran mine was when it said it had 6-7 miles left in it, I didn't have time to fill up as I was rushing to do errands all before trying to go to a memorial. Well when I filled up, it took 17.XX gallons, I want to say mid to high.
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