I just finished going 500.7 miles on my last tank of gas. I had two carrots showing saying I was on reserve. The last carrots showed up about 20 miles before filling up.

I put 13.2 gallons of gas in my tank. I looked at the owners manual and it states fuel tank capacity is 13.2 gallons including 2.1 gallons reserve.

Do we have a 15.3 gallon tank, or is the gas guage that far off?

The temperature was in the low 40's, so I don't think it was gas expansion.

Just trying to figure out if I was real lucky getting to the gas station.

Thanks raday

 

I believe the 2.1 gallon reserve is what's in the lines, etc. The tank will hold 13.2 gallons(give or take half a gallon?) Most I've ever filled up was 13.6 gallons with 1 "carrot" left.

 

So what I am hearing is that I was very lucky to have made it to the station and that with two carrots showing on the guage, it is off by that much?

 

Yep, quite lucky. But you probably had ~15 miles left still. Half a gallon could yield 15 miles.

 

In gas tank design the engineer has to allow a certain amount of air volume after the advertised amount of fuel is in the tank. You can always put more gas in the tank if you want to stand there and dribble it in. Just make sure you drive the car a few miles before you shut it down or you may foul the charcoal canister.
I did many preliminary gas tank designs for GM years ago before i made supervisor an eventually retired 11 years ago.
Dale

 

Thanks for the input. All I have to say is PHEW!!!!!! it was took cold and windy to walk if I had run out of gas. Now I know when it says on reserve to get gas quick!
I have learned that when the pump cuts off when filling the tank, I just remove the nozzle and I do not try to put any more in the tank. My Saturn Vue will just dump any fuel after it cuts off right on the ground.

Again thanks for the input

raday

 

I have filled up with 14.00 gallons before. Also other fill ups of 13.98, 13.84, 13.91, and 13.79 gallons.

 

You own a 2011 and have only filled up 5 times? Impressive. ;-)

 

Hahaha.

Here's a link to my fuelly page for my MCS.

http://www.fuelly.com/driver/geeklife/cooper-s

 

I think the combination of my "spirited" driving manners, all the short 5mi trips to work and back 5 days a week, and that its been below freezing the last month, I'm going to be lucky if I manage 24mpg on my next fill-up. Ill say thou, the enjoyment of driving the MINI is still totally worth the fuel costs. I can't wait for spring to get here so I can see what kind of mileage I really get out of the car.

 

I've put 14.52 gallons in a MINI, after running out. It said there was 3 miles to go.

 

For all those that let their gas tanks run close to empty before getting gas, I was advised long ago not to do that. Because whenever you get gas you could be getting some type of dirt particles that get drawn up from the gas station tank. That stuff may sit at the bottom of your tank. It could sit there forever I guess. But if you draw down your gas to the last bit, you increase the chance of pulling some of that junk into the engine. Maybe this is true or maybe not. Someone with more automotive knowledge may or may not confirm. But it made sense to me. So I try not to get gas when at least 3 carrots are lit. I figure it true, why press my luck.

 

The fuel filter shoud catch the trash.

Don't forget more than a few gas pumps were found to be not um, "accurate" when spot checked!

 

My main concern was that the computer said 77 miles left to go and I put the rated capacity of the tank in the tank. I got 37 MPG on that tank, theoretically I had over 2 gallons left.

Do I have a problem with the gas gauge or do I need to just be aware that it is really inaccurate?

 

Gas guages on cars are almost never accurate when almost empty......and since the PUMPS...both are $$ and use fuel for cooling, imo, plan on fueling up around 1/8 or more. Be safe...and maybe save a few $$ on mx.

 

the fuel pump pickup is located at the low spot of the tank, it is always drawing from the spot where crud would be, thats why we have fuel filters

however, the fuel pump is cooled both by being submerged in the fuel and by the fuel flowing thru it as it is pumped so it may run hotter with very low fuel levels

i have always assumed the manufacturer would take the cooling by immersion into consideration when designing the fuel system and don't worry about it

scott

 

Rayday the point is the pumps don't always pump the amount stated. There are crooks out there with the pumps set to show more gallons pumped than was actually pumped.

 

so true, i once pumped 24 gallons in a 19 gallon tank that was at 1/4 full on the gauge ... when i complained to the attendant, he immediately offered to buy my gas

i called the state agency that tests the pumps and the next day the station was closed ... it never reopened to this day

scott

 

Damn that's crazy that some gas stations do that, I would have never thought that. I've never had that issue. Hope I never do either.

 

I've had that happen once before but never pursued legal action. Filled our trailblazer that was nearing empty, I know for certain the point it was at the tank would take 18.x gallons of fuel. When the pump kept going and hit 21 gallons I stopped the pump, tank still wasn't reading full at that point. As far as I am aware the tank can't evenly physically hold 21 gallons. We were out of town and headed home, it was late and I was tired. I really didn't want to fight about it so we just left. I will always remember never to fill up at that station if we ever are in that area again.

 

I understand the crooks out there, and I am pretty sure this station was legit, just because it is a large chain and not individually owned, (not saying it isn't possible, but I have been buying gas there for years).
I was at the Mini dealer today and told the service advisor what happened and he told me to schedule an appointment, that sometime the sensor can stick and may need to be replaced. Still under warranty so that is a good thing. Until then I will watch my miles and gauge. Thanks for all of your input.
raday

 

Not suggesting that this should be at the top of your list of things to worry about, but given the number of high pressure fuel pump failures in MINIs I'd think it may not have been taken into account properly when it was designed. However that was mostly on the earlier 2nd gen cars.