Took a trip west to east across Washington state this weekend and at the arrival had 4 bars left on the gage and she took 10 gallons. Return trip due to bucking a 30+mph head wind on 75mph roads (= 100mph wind in the MINI's face) including dust storms and tumble weeds in the grill.... Only had 3 bars left and still had 40 miles to go....

So we stopped for fuel and she took 11 gallons.

Owner's manual reads 13.2 gallons INCLUDING a 2.1 gallon reserve.

Wondering when the low fuel warning comes up. Was it about to pop up with 3 bars left showing?

 

2 bars will get you the warning. The bars turn red too.

 

And in my car that usually means I will put in about 11.8 to 12 gallons.

 

Good to know. Those last bars 3 or 4 bars are a gallon each approx looks like. Around town we will fill on the top half of the gage, so that was the first time we ran it that low. The MINI saved us about $60 in fuel on the trip over taking "The Beast", a 2008 GMC 2500 diesel, which gets 20mpg at best.

Saw every type of Spring weather from down pours... to sun... to snow... to the wind and dust storms on that trip. The MINI took it all in stride. Coming up on 8,000 miles on her now.....

 

I've put in over 13 gallons before. I think it was 13.2.

 

If you run it down to basically empty, it will take 14+ gallons.

 

I have run my MCS down to 1 bar many times and taken up to 13.5 gallons... I always figured there must be more than 13.2 - or else the gas station is ripping me off!

 

Glad to see it isn't JUST me! I have put 13.2 gallons in before too. Estimate to empty was 0 miles on the trip computer. Pulled into a station after going down a LONG hill. The top of the hill said I had 2 miles left to empty. It hit 0 coming up the grade to the pump.

I regularly drive the car and fill up 12.5 or more gallons. I drive it 52 miles to work every day, one way (used to be 72).

Best mileage I ever got in the car was 32mpg. Average is about 27 (combined).

 

first trip home in my mini i added 12.5 gallons when there was one bar.

 

I can ususally get 90-100 miles in each of the first 2 bars, but as the tank gets closer to empty the bars get used much faster.

 

I've hit 14gal once, and over 13.2gal on numerous occasions.
I'm pretty convinced the pumps are rigged.

 

Call me paranoid but I agree with you. I think pumps are rigged or miscalibrated either on purpose or accidentally more than most people think. I've seen someone walk into a gas station after filling up a 5 gallon can and angrily ask the attendant to explain how was it possible that according to the pump, he managed to fit almost 7 gallons in his 5 gallon can.

 

When it comes to tank capacities don't forget the volume of the tank does not include the pipe/hose that connects the gas port to the tank, nor ullage.

ullage is the reason why a gallon jug of milk, a quart of oil, a two liter soda, etc. is not filled up to the top.

Or there is a dirty crooked gas attendant