Fuel Level Low warning. Really, how dangerous is this?
03-26-2009, 05:04 AM
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So I had very little time this week to drive into a Top Tier Gas station.
I have gown down to 25 miles left on my range.
The manual states "Refuel as soon as possible once your cruising range falls below 30 miles / 50 km, otherwise engine functions are not ensured and damage can occur"
Is the car going to blow up or something ??
Can we list the possible damages to occur and in what order they occur?
(after searching, did not find anybody talking about possible damages)
Thanks!
I have gown down to 25 miles left on my range.
The manual states "Refuel as soon as possible once your cruising range falls below 30 miles / 50 km, otherwise engine functions are not ensured and damage can occur"
Is the car going to blow up or something ??
Can we list the possible damages to occur and in what order they occur?
(after searching, did not find anybody talking about possible damages)
Thanks!
03-26-2009, 05:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Transporter' post='827141' date='Mar 26 2009, 09:04 AM
So I had very little time this week to drive into a Top Tier Gas station.
I have gown down to 25 miles left on my range.
The manual states "Refuel as soon as possible once your cruising range falls below 30 miles / 50 km, otherwise engine functions are not ensured and damage can occur"
Is the car going to blow up or something ??
Can we list the possible damages to occur and in what order they occur?
(after searching, did not find anybody talking about possible damages)
Thanks!
I have gown down to 25 miles left on my range.
The manual states "Refuel as soon as possible once your cruising range falls below 30 miles / 50 km, otherwise engine functions are not ensured and damage can occur"
Is the car going to blow up or something ??
Can we list the possible damages to occur and in what order they occur?
(after searching, did not find anybody talking about possible damages)
Thanks!
Unfortunately the fuel tanks are quite small - it would be great if the capacity was 20 gallons but it isn't!
Even if you can't get to a top tier station if your on board computer says 25 miles to empty, get to a brand name station and fill 'er up!
03-26-2009, 05:20 AM
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My Ride: Estoril Blue 440i GC
Model Year: 2017
What they are really trying to say is that if the cruising range is less than 30 miles, you may run out of petrol!!!
Damage?
There is often water in the bottom of your tank, from condensation etc, so this may get pulled through and your car won't run too well on water, so it may well misfire, but this won't be terminal. Fuel pumps, both petrol and diesel use the fluid's own lubricity to provide lubrication to the pumps, so you don't want to run the pumps with no fluid through them, as you may, in an extreme case, seize the pump. I would imagine you would have to be pretty stupid to let this happen though - I believe that the pumps cut off after so many seconds if the car doesn't start. Petrol pumps are more "forgiving" as petrol has less lubrication properties than diesel, so will stand more of being run dry. Diesel pumps are less so, plus they work to much finer tolerances then petrol ones, so can be damaged easier. There have been many instances of people fuelling diesel cars with petrol - and it's the diesel pumps that need to be replaced in that case.
So, there's really no major problem in the real world if you do get the yellow light on, but do't expect any sympathy when you have to walk a couple of miles with a petrol can!!
Mike
Damage?
There is often water in the bottom of your tank, from condensation etc, so this may get pulled through and your car won't run too well on water, so it may well misfire, but this won't be terminal. Fuel pumps, both petrol and diesel use the fluid's own lubricity to provide lubrication to the pumps, so you don't want to run the pumps with no fluid through them, as you may, in an extreme case, seize the pump. I would imagine you would have to be pretty stupid to let this happen though - I believe that the pumps cut off after so many seconds if the car doesn't start. Petrol pumps are more "forgiving" as petrol has less lubrication properties than diesel, so will stand more of being run dry. Diesel pumps are less so, plus they work to much finer tolerances then petrol ones, so can be damaged easier. There have been many instances of people fuelling diesel cars with petrol - and it's the diesel pumps that need to be replaced in that case.
So, there's really no major problem in the real world if you do get the yellow light on, but do't expect any sympathy when you have to walk a couple of miles with a petrol can!!
Mike
03-26-2009, 07:14 AM
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I agree with the others. Plus, sediment, however miniscule, does sink to the bottom of the tank. When you run low, that can get sucked into the fuel lines more readily and clog injectors, etc. I try never to go below 1/4 tank.
03-26-2009, 07:17 AM
#5
Happens to me on a bi-weekly basis.
Stupid bmw's suck down more gas than
any other car I have ever owned.
And that "DING" noise sometimes makes
me jump, thinking something major is
wrong with the car.
Stupid bmw's suck down more gas than
any other car I have ever owned.
And that "DING" noise sometimes makes
me jump, thinking something major is
wrong with the car.
03-26-2009, 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by ynottony' post='827199' date='Mar 26 2009, 11:17 AM
Happens to me on a bi-weekly basis.
Stupid bmw's suck down more gas than
any other car I have ever owned.
And that "DING" noise sometimes makes
me jump, thinking something major is
wrong with the car.
Stupid bmw's suck down more gas than
any other car I have ever owned.
And that "DING" noise sometimes makes
me jump, thinking something major is
wrong with the car.
DING, DING, DING!!!
Sorry somebody had to do it.
My tank is just below the 1/4 mark. I guess I better fill up ASAP.
03-28-2009, 07:06 PM
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Sure thing guys. Thanks for the replies.
Rule of thumb, better not go below the fuel tank level at 1/4 or low fuel warning.
Fancy way for BMW to say, "your fuel pump is busted, buddy, if you don't fill up!!"
Rule of thumb, better not go below the fuel tank level at 1/4 or low fuel warning.
Fancy way for BMW to say, "your fuel pump is busted, buddy, if you don't fill up!!"
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