So, on my way to work this morning, I noticed my fuel tank light was on. Hadn't been on long and my range still was reading at 50miles. Although I could easily get to work and home again, I decided to fill up since it's a bit chilly (Dad always told me not to let my fuel tank get so low in the winter... something about the fuel pump... no idea if this is still the case).

Anyways, the pump finally shuts off reading... 14.253 gallons
I'm pretty sure the MOST I've ever put in was 13 and some change, and that the tank was only 13.2 or something gallons... Am I wrong? Or is that particular Shell station making a little bit extra money by claiming to give me more fuel?

 

This has been discussed before at length. I've had the same thing happen and it's something like there is space for XX "reserve" fuel in the tank. The station wasn't ripping you off.

 

hmm.. guess i should have done a search on it. Just to be clear... my fuel tank is ~13 PLUS 2 gallons for 'backup'?

My only thoughts were I've ran it down to MUCH lower on the meter before, just to see how accurate the range computer was, and still only filled up to 13 something.

O, well. I'm not complaining per-se, just thought I'd see if anyone else had this happen.

 

My guess is that the stations pumps are out of calibration. Honest mistake on their part or ripping off customers? Hard to say. I know if it was me I'd be calling the county commissioner's office & lodging a complaint against the station. While not a big issue for you, imagine how much extra money is being made over the course of a month on that one pump alone.

Robb, I'm with your dad. Don't run on fumes. It does have a lot to do with the fuel pump, no fuel no pumping.

 

I have ran my car done to where the fuel thing says I have 0 miles to get gas and ran with it reading that one time for almost 5 miles lol

 

geez...when did ya last fill up...in OCTOBER?

 

Very interesting indeed. I can only squeeze in 12.4 gallons in my 2003, even when my range is in the single digits. I guess they must have enlarged the gas tanks a bit on the newer model R53's.

I feel that it would be very hard to purposefully rig a gas station pump to be off by that much. I have a feeling they are as hard to tamper with electronically as a casino slot machine, but it's still worth checking into.

 

Glad to see you got home in one piece on those winter tires Cooper.

I only run my car until the light comes on, then it is fill up time. I have no idea how much fuel my MINI's tank holds.

 

I had $1.75 in fuel perks , I ran down till the range was "0" and I took 13.9 gallons ... with filling the gas cans ect all with premium I got 20.9 for $3.88

 

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll double-check what the manual says is the capicity and then give the county offices a call. I'm with Cooper in guessing you couldn't easily 'rig' it to do this and that it's just a mis-calibration, at least I hope so!

 

I'm pretty sure the fuel tank is 13.2 gallons. You're lucky you people don't run into a lot of traffic with the fuel gauge that low!