I have Cooper S auto tran with 5500 miles equipped with nav system, so the fuel indicator layout is different than the standard one. I had 2 light bars showing and the computer said another 47 miles to go.

The first time I ran out of gas was my fault. Only 1 light bar showing and the computer said another 12 miles to go. After that I thought I learned my lesson. But come on...this time is kind of too soon, right?

 

Have you reset the on board computer to correct the MPG figures?
It is calculating since the last reset and can get waaaay off but think about it a car that gets 30 +mpg your running it down to less than half a gallon put half a gallon of water in a rubbermaid tub about the size of the Mini gas tank and then start sloshing it around and you will see why you are running out of gas....Shame on you Just kidding just stop and get gas sooner

 

I did reset the computer. I reset it at every pump including mpg, mph and distance to track the usage.

The number showed 26 mpg, 35 mph, 387 miles since refule.

I even choose to fuel gas at the same pump at the same gas station.

 

why even run the car that low, it puts unnecessary strain on the fuel pump. I always try to keep 1/2 a tank or more in the car for daily use.

 

Same here...I never allow my gas to run that low and it does put a strain on the fuel pump. Might have to change your gas filling habits

 

I think there is something wrong with your computer. When I test drive the MCS, the car has 19 miles left to go on the computer. The MA told me it is okay, we won't be running out of gas. I have gone down to 12 miles myself in my car, and it fills up to 13.2 gallon. I don't reset my computer though. So maybe reseting your computer every fill up actually messes it up?

 

The OBC has been known to give false messages as it is hard to average milage out when you have changing driving conditions...I used to work on a military base and would go for 12 miles at stop and go speed, and of coarse sometimes I would have a little Honda next to me wanting to do some "spirited" launches and then my last 35 miles would be all interstate this wrecked havok on the milage esttimate on the computer. Then I upgraded to the larger JCW injectors and really destroyed the accuracy lol.

 

I ran my MCS to 12 miles (oops!) and it was fine. I did manage to fill up with 13.7 gallons then, though.

I also ran an '07 MC Conv. to 2 miles. The porter didn't call me to say he was stranded, so I assume he made it to the gas station a few miles away.

 

WOW! I feel very lucky since I took mine all the way down to 8 miles... Porbably best to fill up when the indicators go to RED.

 

Opass--settle the bet--how many gallons did you put in when you got to a gas station?

Misslindsey says she put in 13.7. MINI says 13.2.

 

Take it back for the dealer to look at. If you have two bars still lit and run out of gas, something is twitterpaited.
Running that low may not be the smartest idea, but you should still have gas at two bars.
BTW, the OBC is suffering from "trash in:trash out" if it is receiving bad info from the fuel gauge.

 

Roadside assistance put unknown amount of gas into the tank (one gallon the most). I filled her up 12.84 gallons.

 

Is that Roadside Assistance through MINI? They cover running out of gas free?

 

Yep. Free of charge. It printed the list of services on the card.

 

I usually fill up on two red bars with around 40 miles left and still put around 13 gal . Fill up sooner you will still have a great big smile especially when the excursion pulls up and pumps 150.00 worth of fuel next to you!!!

 

Anything <90 miles left (or ~quarter tank) = drive to the gas station.

 

Yep...quarter tank pretty much equals empty for me...mainly because of my commute.

 

With that little gong going off when the red line lights up, it pretty much INSISTS you fill'er up.

Still trying to get over 27mpg. Just can't seem to keep from wanting to go faster.

 

Thats scary when I took delivery of my MCS i only had 5 miles worth of fuel in it or so it said... Since then the lowes I have taken her was to 31 miles but then again it stayed like that for atleast 15 miles so who knows thou part of it was down hill so no waste in gas.

 

Wait a minute--your dealer didn't give you a full tank of gas??!

You shoulda run out and made him come get ya.

 

The computer is just an estimate. You could go futher than it says or as you found out you could go less than it says. I always fill around 1/4 tank.

 

Very true. But the OP said he had he had two lite bars still lit and went put-put-stop.
Sumthin' is broked.

 

I ran my old MINI Cooper down to 1 mile on the OBC and didn't run out of gas. Lowest on the R56 was maybe 30miles, with one bar showing. The warning seems to come on at 70 miles, with two bars showing. It is actually fairly bad to run out of gas, probably best to fill up when the little pump appears in the diagnostic display!

 

Are you guys sure about the computer estimating? I think its dead on.

I program and tune LSX pcms for tuning Camaros, Vettes, etc. The computer is reading the exact amount of gas in the car. I have a 2001 SS and pretty sure the computer in the 07 Mini is a little smarter.

The range is going to obviously change with your driving habbits so don't trust that if you are going to stomp the pedel rev up to 7000rpms and expect the same if you are granny shifting at 2500rpm.

Not 100% sure about the fuel pump statements. I also drag race the SS above, and we usually run with just enough gas to make a few runs and just enough to get to the closest gas station to the track. I have never killed a fuel pump yet, and never heard of someone doing it either by running to almost empty.

Now the best reason I can think of to not run to empty is that some gas stations have lots of water and contaminants and it settles to the bottom. That'll mess up the fuel system more then just running low.

 

We have the same set up, MCS Auto and the lowet I have pushed it is one bar with one carrot, too scary. I don't take any chances and try to fill up as soon as I hit the second carrot...the range in mileage for this incident is way too broad...