I know that the R56 MC gas tank is stated as 10.6 US gallons, but I filled up yesterday and it took 10.4 gallons to shut off the pump and I still had 3 bars lit up on my gas gauge. So is my gauge off kilter? or is that 10.6 + a reserve capacity represented by the last few lines on the gauge? Well has anyone else noticed this when they fill up?

I should clarify that when I pulled into the gas station before filling the tank the gauge read 3 bars to go untill empty. I thaught I had like 1/4 tank and would need 8 gallons or so.

 

Do you have MCS or MC? MCS has 13.2 gallon capacity. MC 10.8.

 

Sounds like you have a guage problem. I filled up the other day and all bars were lit when I was done.

 

Probably the unit was calibrated for the MCS at the factory rather than the MC. Should be a simple program fix at the dealership.

 

I have an MC, I never thaught agout a simple programming fix.

 

Plus another 2.1 for reserve for MCS.

So that makes it a 15.3 gallon tank.. (Reserve is the last 2 bars on your gas gauge, when it turns red.. about 70 miles left of driving)

mininovice your car is fine.. Reserve is shown with the guage going into red and being the last few bars on your gauge. My first fillup was with 30 miles left in my car and I filled up at around 13.8 - 14 gallons yet MCS is only 13.2.. (I had 1-2 bars left)

 

I pulled in the gas station on fumes tonite and put in 14.3 Gallons, so there is definetaly more capacity then the 13.2 that the owners manual says.

 

Didn't know about the reserve.

I need to make notes with fillups next few times, but it seemed to take ~10 gal when it was reading half-empty.

 

Ok I have yet to see the gauge turn red, I am going to drive til that happens. I was probably right on the verge. They should make this more clear in the owners manual. Thank you..

 

I filled up right after the bars turned red and I took 12 gallons.

 

I don't understand why you guy's want to run the tank so low. I don't know about the MINI configuration, but many cars have the fuel pump in the tank and use the gas to keep the pump cool, so letting it run that low can over heat the pump. Second any dirt or other contaminates tend to pool at the bottom of the tank so when you run the tank that low you dredge it all up at once. The most obvious danger is running out gas and having to wait for some one to bail you out and wouldn't you rather be driving? I stop right around 1/4 and never have to worry about it.

 

I second the above. Not good to run your tank down to empty all the time. besides, when premium gets above 2.50, I always fill up at or just below 1/2 tank. Psychological thing, you know, $22 bucks versus $42.

Oh and regarding inaccurate gas guages: the dealers can check it out; at least with 02-06 cars there have been problems with the head units that relay this information. Might be a service bulletin on this. Good luck!

 

But according to the manual, the reserve is included in the total capacity. Quote:

For the MINI Cooper:
"Approx. 10.6 US gallons including the reserve capacity of 2.1 US gallons."
For the S:
"Approx. 13.2 US gallons including the reserve capacity of 2.1 US gallons."
So, according to the manual, 10.6 and 13.2 gallons are the total capacity "approx." But people are saying their cars have taken more gallons, so I'm totally confused now. So, is the manual wrong?

 

LOL! Pretty simple to me- manufacturers don't lie about fuel capacity, but gas stations lie about how much gas constitutes a gallon!

It's standard in the industry to include any reserve WITHIN the advertised capacity of the tank.

 

Oh. Thank you.

 

ack!~ that'd suck if the station wasn't giving you the full gallon!


Also don't forget the reason you can put more than the stated capacity is because you are filling up the "neck" to the gas tank. The neck isn't included in the tanks capacity. That's why it takes a longer than you'd expect for a tanks needle (or light in our case) to start moving off full after a fillup.

 

Also-you should be able to squeeze a little more than the stated capacity. The manufacturer leaves some space for air expansion for EPA. I've always been able to pack more in a tank than I'm supposed to.

 

I filled up my MC last night at what I thought was half a tank. The car took 9.8 gal. of gas The tank size in the manual must be wrong.

 

Filled up not too far after it dinged about low fuel and went red. Took 12.1 gallons with two bars left on the meter.

So, by spec I had 1.1 gallons left, which seems odd, becasue it was telling me I had 70 miles left to go.

With 10 segments on the meter, 12 gallons = 8 segments, that's 1.5 gallons per segment for an estimated capacity of 15 gallons, assuming the gauge is linear, and I've never seen a gauge that was truly linear.

At the OBC MPG of 32.3, which was dead-on, 70 miles remaining is 2.1 gallons left, 12.1 + 2.1 = 14.2.

If it's really 13.2, then that's 1.32 gal/mark, and that would predict that I"d have 2.6 gallons left. 12.1 + 2.6 = 14.7

So I conclude...with four numbers 13.2 (spec), 14.2, 14.7, and 15, it could be the reserve isn't actually included.

But who cares...just don't run out of gas.

It looks like the low fuel warning does come on when it thinks you have 2.1 gallons left, though.

Whether that's actually included in the 13.2 gal stated capacity, I can't say. I can't imagine two gallons in the neck.

 

I was told there wouldn't be math at this forum. Thanks for the analysis. I'm one of those people who gets nervous when the tank is 1/4 full (as opposed to 3/4 empty....I'm optimistic ), so running out of gas isn't something I ever have to deal with.

 

To be honest with you I care alot! If the book is accurate and there are only a little over 10 gallons of fuel per tankfull in a MC then my gauge is WAY OFF and in need of service. This is not a question that can be brushed off lightly. If I can't get a reasonable explanation from the Mini forums then I will have to resort to calling the service department. This will be my 2nd service related issue since I took delivery a week ago!

 

In my last new car it took about three fillups for my gauge to read accurately. I was really irked at the salesman when he told me this, thought it was total bs, but I calmly said ok and it did calibrate accurately after a few fillups.

 

Hmmm, Interesting experience. I hope this proves to be the case with my car.

 

well i dont know what to think i have a mc and i filled up with two red bars lit and it took alittle over 13 gallons is it possible the gas tank is a mcs or more probable my gas station ripped me off

 

I have never had my tank low enough to get a full fill up