Love everything about the new All4 Countryman (my 4th MINI) except the fuel capacity. I am averaging 28 MPG (even with an automatic), but have to squeeze ten gallons into the tank after the low fuel light comes on.

The specs say it has a 12+ gallon tank with a two gallon reserve, but this is not accurate.

 

Maybe and maybe not. I don't fill up until I am into the final warning. I supposedly have about 15 miles to go to empty. Next time I fuel I will note how much I cram in, but fill ups have been between $43 and $44. I think I am putting in about 11 gallons. I am curious how many negative miles you can go before the MINI stops. Also, is it "bad" to run completely out? I have almost been tempted to carry a gallon and try. Hoping someone else will step up who is also curious.

Bill

 

I think the 12 gallons includes the reserve, still it is annoying, I find myself filling up way to often.

 

My previous Clubman would take about 13 gallons and have a 400 mile range. They must have shrunk the tank to maintain the MPG.

On my fourth tank and the 28 all around MPG for an automatic AWD is great - just odd that the tank is so small (and not as advertised).

 

Tank size has nothing to do with MPG. Tank size and MPG will affect range, but you can have a 30 gallon tank or a 2 gallon tank and you are still going to get your 28mpg.

 

I believe that tank size does affect EPA ratings for mpg. Large tanks mean more weight, especially when the tank is full, and maybe they're calculated as part of the EPA's math. I'm not totally sure, but it could have an effect.

 

You miss my point - every extra gallon you carry makes the car heavier and lowers mileage.

I supsect MINI was very sensitive as to how heavy this car would be and reduced the tank size for this very reason.

 

All the specs I can find say 12.4 gallons total (47 liters). Odd that it's smaller than the 50 liter tank on the Cooper, despite the difference in efficiency.

My only guess is that cramming everything into the relatively small car made for some compromises. Maybe making space for the rear drivetrain was part of the problem.

 

Another conspiracy theorist.

Figure a gallon of gas at 5 pounds and an estimated 1% to 2% savings per 100 pounds and the general answer is that the size of the tank is as big as it can be in a car this size that can still give reasonable range.

Sealy - Who found it easy to miss a point so miniscule.

 

I'm not sure I quite find the logic convincing. It's a smaller tank than fits in the regular Cooper, which is a significantly smaller car.

Personally, I like my AWD theory.

 

IMO the tank is smaller to fit all of the AWD stuff under the car.

 

I'm not a mechanic but I have always been advised not to let the gas tank run down too close to empty. Because over time, sediment or whatever pumped in with the gas when filling up sits at the bottom of the tank. When the tank is low on gas, some of that sediment can be pulled in to the gas line. So whether its my MINI, BMW or Audi, I usually fill up when around a quarter of a tank. I figure I would rather be safe than sorry and just avoid letting the tank run very close to empty.
Who knows what is at the bottom of the tank at the gas station, even a premium brand...if you happen to be getting gas when his tank is getting close to empty.

 

Gas weighs about 6 lbs/gal. A couple of gallons will not measurably change the fuel economy. It seems reasonable to me that it was more likely a space consideration. It is not just the overall size of the vehicle (compared to the reguarly mini) but the design as well. It could be the AWD components or other design features. They may have wanted to maximize the cargo space as well. This is one of the selling features of the CM.
CN

 

Appreciate the feedback. Just wonder - shouldn't the manufacturer know how big the tank is before they print the owner's manual? I am guessing the tank is about 12 gallons max.

 

You'll never know 'til you run it dry.

 

Amen - I would to hear from the first one who can squeeze in 12 gallons.

 

It's listed as 12.4 (47L) on MINIUSA.com.

 

And even then, you don't really know the tank size down to the last few ounces, since you've emptied both the tank and the fuel system.

 

The high pressure fuel pump is cooled by the fuel passing through it, you could overheat and damage it by allowing the car to run out of gas.

Dave

 

I once ran my M3 down to completely empty, with the warning light staying on for at least 25 miles (I was too panicky in trying to find a gas station to keep accurate track). The E46 M3's tank is advertised at 16+ gallons. That proved to be true. Transitioning to the CM's 11+ tank has been an adjustment, though I very much appreciate the better gas mileage. My guess is that the tank is smaller than it possibly could be because of space considerations.

 

I have answered my own question - the 12 gallon tank includes the two gallon reserve (that's a bit unusual - usually a reserve is a reserve).

So it's really a ten gallon tank they put on this - talk about puny.

Despite that - this is a fun vehicle. Every bit as peppy as my prior MINI's and much easier on the spine.

 

My Volvo S40 has about two gallons left when the needle is all the way to Empty. I normally don't push it nearly that far but this seems to be a common practice by OEM's to help motorists avoid running out of gas.

If you keep it out of sport mode it seems that most folks are reporting in the range of 27-28 overall mileage. This means the practical range is about 285 miles before you need to fill up without pressing your luck (leaving about 2 gal of cushion). I would agree this seems a little on the short side although I haven't check other cars. My Volvo S40 is about 340 miles to get down to 2 gallons.
CN

 

I'm definitely going at least 300 miles between fillups, and that's at an average of about 28.4 mpg according to the car and 27.7 mpg according to reality.

 

Say you get a range of 300 miles and average 28.5 mpg. That suggests about 10.5 gallons of gas. It follows then that when the car thinks it is empty there may still be about 2 gallons of reserve.

Wish me luck as I'm going to test the theory. Computer indicates 106 miles to empty. I will be armed with my AAA card, cell phone and a gallon of gas. My goal is -50 miles on the computer and then I fill and FILL.

Bill

 

Check with Nissan. They're paying some Juke owners $400 for screwing up on tank size.