..low fuel warning gauge lamp..

[Ecc0]

..im wondering has any of you guys dry your fuel tank in to extend where warning bulb is activated..i mean, once warning bulb is activated, does that mean that i could ride for approx 40-50 km, IF there is a warning bulb (i never dried my tank and couldn't observe bulb presence)..so, should i consider fuel level gauge literally or i still have some 50 km if eventually warning light appear ?? Anyone dried it before ?

 

[TeD]

50km after the warning light lite up should not be a problem coz i've tried it b4 but not advisable

 

[haywire]

Your car doesnt have the 'Range' function? My car fuel low warning light appears at about 3/4 of the first quarter on the dash, and the range varies at that point depending on the driving condition. Sometimes around 70km range. Once it reaches 50km range there will be a 'Bong!' sound in the car to mark that point. I normally fill up at this point or shortly after, full tank. If you keep on driving without filling up, the range will keep reducing until it reaches 4, 3, 2, 1km and after that '- - - -' will appear, meaning no more range but the car will keep on going for a while but quite risky as it can be dead any time.

I got my car from the dealership in UK with 4km left on the range (stingy dealer) and it did reach '- - - -' before I got to the nearest petrol station.

This is on my High OBC cluster in my E39.

 

[Ecc0]

..i see..I actually never reached low level, so i was really curious about any additional warning, apart from gauge scale itself..also, I have noticed that gauge scale is not proportional. What im saying is that, decrease speed is rather different from full tank to half, then half tank to next mark downscale, while mark distance on gauge is same along whole range. It appear to be uneven shape of fuel tank (checked just now), but i thought gauge will be adjusted to show actual, proportional fuel level between gauge scale and fuel tank capacity, what is not case, im very sure after observing fuel tank shape and sensor position..

 

[haywire]

The scale is not linear yes. Happens on my car too.

 

[jarance]

The scale is not linear yes. Happens on my car too.

yes it is non linear due to the shape of the tank.

Above 3/4 tank, there is no separate chamber but below 3/4 mark, the tank is separated to make way for the drive shaft.


Fuel tank/mounting parts - BMW parts catalog

 

[YaZmEeN]

Use the OBC function if u're unsure. do not drive till ur car stops as ur cat converter might be damage then

 

[enkil]

Yeah i did heard the bong sound just now.. yup range showing 50km left. Thanks