Just like my other car, since we got the new MINI I've started to record average gas consumption, fuel cost, etc...

This is for a R59 but I assume the gas tank capacity of the newer style MINIs don't change across similar small platform (countryman alike not included).

When I get the gas meter at about half I can fill the MINI with about 9 gallons to full tank. Now the manual says about 13.2 gallons (or 50 liters) but that doesn't quite add up. You would think half would be at about 6/7 gallons left. Not about 4 gallons. The user manual mention a reserve of about 2 gallons but it isn't clear if the 13.2 gallon capacity includes or excludes the reserve.

Does anyone know what the complete gas tank size is?
How accurate is the gas bar readings? (Right now I don't really trust it or understand it)

 

When I first got my MINI I thought something was wrong because I had driven almost 150 miles without a single bar disappearing. Turns out MINI uses some sort of graded changes for each kernel, so it's not linear. IIRC the first kernel is 3 gallons, then the next two are 2 gallons, then the rest are 1. So at half kernels that's actually more than half the gas tank that has been used.

Gas tank is about 13.2 gallons though, I occasionally get down to 1 kernel and I fill up around 13 gallons

 

Top half always burns longer than the bottom half. It was that way with the '43 Ford, the '50 Buick, the '57 Buick, the... Talk to any pilot and he'll tell you it is always better to burn off the top half than the bottom.

 

I've had many different cars in my life, and the first quarter of the tank always equates to more miles than the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. Nothing unusual with the MINI. Just relax and motor on!

 

I've put more than 14 gallons in mine a time or two. I'm guessing that the 13+ does not count the reserve.

 

Not being linear would explain a few things. It is a bit counter intuitive I think but what would they do to make us feel we can drive further on a tank

Yeah, I'm still not sure about the reserve... it shouldn't affect my mpg calculation in the long run. I wish I was sure about this.

Were you well in the red? I could see the reserve not being counted in the computer miles left until empty...

Thanks all btw!

 

13.2 gallons including the reserve of 2.1 gallons...according to the manual.

 

I was definitely into the red. I don't remember if I had only one carrot or two. I have seen one carrot a couple of times, though.


If the manual says 13 gallons including reserve, the manual is wrong. It's rare that I put in less than 13 gallons, and I've filled up in at least a half-dozen stations so I'm pretty sure the pumps of all of them are not inaccurate in the exact same way.

 

There are a few threads on this same subject, I think all of them end the same way. Confusion on what is the actual capacity. Guess we'll have to wait until someone runs it bone dry, fills up and reports back.

 

Before or after they replace their fuel pump?

 

LOL, good point. I just figured someone would do it sooner or later whether they wanted too or not.

 

Not liking the sound of that

 

no, its not linear, its not even technically a fuel level......is more of an 'expected miles to empty' in bar graph form.

ive actually had it ADD kernels back when i changed my driving habits from 'enthusiastic' to 'eco minded' durring the same trip.


as for tank capacity, i usually run my tank down to 2 kernels, and when i go to fill up, im usually able to add ~12.75-13 gallons to it.

 

Interesting...I suspected that the kernels weren't linear. I know I have put 13 gal in mine with one red kernel and my remaining mileage indicator still showed 40 miles or so. I wonder if you can actually add more fuel than the tank size because the pump doesn't cut off until the filler pipe is full also.

 

Thats crazy how you are able to fill up with almost 13 gallons! Does the jcw have a smaller tank? Whenever i hit the last 2 kernels I fill up with about 11.5 gallons of gas.