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Gas tank gauge not accurate

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Old 11-16-2006, 01:44 PM
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Anyone got down to 0 on their range (miles before the tank is empty)?
And no, it doesn't show zero, it gives a flat bar....

I almost freaked out, but I made it to the gas station ok. I was in a hurry so I fill up with 1 gallon, but the gauge still shows completely empty.

I picked up my wife from the bus station and head back to the gas station again, this time it fills up 16.2 gallon.
So, is the tank capacity ~17.2 US gallons?

Maybe BMW is a little conservative on the range, so it saves my bu*t from pushing the car... My gauge shows I have 20 miles range when I know it takes 15 miles to pickup my wife, but I guess the range bottoms out few blocks away from the gas station. Haha I don't have the guts to drive the few more blocks to pickup my wife before filling it up....

Just thought I would share
Old 11-16-2006, 01:51 PM
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Been there and done that a few times. Sweated it out to make it to the gas station. Each time I would tell myself I'd never take it down that low again but find myself doing it again.

I've been good lately. Haven't done it in a few months now.
Old 11-16-2006, 02:10 PM
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I thought I was bad
So how many gallons do you fill it up with?
I hope I won't repeat that anytime soon, glad my wife wasn't in the car or else she would freak if she sees anything less than 20 miles left, not even mentioning 0!
Old 11-16-2006, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by kchan' post='356982' date='Nov 16 2006, 03:10 PM
I thought I was bad
So how many gallons do you fill it up with?
I hope I won't repeat that anytime soon, glad my wife wasn't in the car or else she would freak if she sees anything less than 20 miles left, not even mentioning 0!
Sometimes when I'm really, really low 17.x gallons. Lately though it's been like 16.x.
Old 11-16-2006, 04:23 PM
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this is so bad for the engine
Old 11-16-2006, 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by 700700' post='357046' date='Nov 16 2006, 05:23 PM
this is so bad for the engine
Yes, I know. I've been good lately and will continue to do so. These days, I usually fill up with about 20 miles left on the indicator.
Old 11-16-2006, 04:45 PM
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doesnt the manual say to not let that range go down past 50?
Old 11-16-2006, 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by NeRwEEzy' post='357065' date='Nov 16 2006, 05:45 PM
doesnt the manual say to not let that range go down past 50?
Ah, I must've glossed right over that part of the manual. Looking over the manual right now on page 168, "Refuel as soon as possible once your cruising range falls below 30 miles/50 km, as otherwise engine functions are not ensured and damage can occur."

Mental note now to always refill immediately when the second gas light comes on. The first gas light comes on at about 50 or 60 miles, and then the second at 30 miles. No more waiting until there's only 10 or 15 miles left.
Old 11-16-2006, 05:07 PM
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I'm sure there's sediment at the bottom of the tank that doesn't play nice with the fuel injectors.
Old 11-16-2006, 05:13 PM
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i currently have an X5 and i always do that. when the dashes come on i crap my pants hahaha but the furthest i have taken it is about 5 miles w/ the dashes and thats w/ a cold start in the morning. risky, i know, but sometimes i get lazy or prefer a certain gas station. one day im going to be "that guy" walking down the road w/ a gas can in my hand walking 3 miles for gas hahahaha


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