Trusting the gas gauge

DOrtiz · 10-05-2018, 06:59 PM

Hi all.

So I set my tachometer to register 5 days of travel time to/from work. Was curious if I could make it on one tank of gas, and from the readings shown, it appears I could.

As you can see I drive just under 412 miles weekly and the gauge says 436 before I run out. Today while driving to work the gas warning came on briefly and although the mileage shown to empty would have gotten me back home I topped it off anyway. It was between empty and ¼ tank.

I read somewhere it's not good to let it get to almost empty. And so, my question to you guys is, how low do you let it go? I'm thinking no less than ¼ tank.

What are your thoughts? I use Sunoco 93 octane exclusively.

kiloTHREE · 10-05-2018, 10:51 PM

I run my gas down to the warning of 15-30 miles.
Average fill up is 15.5 gallons.
Capacity is 16.6.

DOrtiz · 10-05-2018, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiloTHREE

I run my gas down to the warning of 15-30 miles.
Average fill up is 15.5 gallons.
Capacity is 16.6.

Yikes! That's putting major trust on that gauge. 15-30 miles is a tad too close for comfort as far as I'm concerned. You're running it down to one (1) gallon of fuel? Sheeesh!!

Are you not the slightest concerned about picking up particles from the depths of your gas tank?

Just curious.

Kevman · 10-06-2018, 10:09 AM

I try to not run it down that low, but occasionally I do. Never a problem, gauges all seem to be dead on accurate.

forteatwo · 10-07-2018, 04:35 PM

This weekend I ran my gas gauge down to 27 miles left, fill up was 16.1 gallons, and the needle was not quite pegged on Empty.

That tells me the gas gauge is not only dead accurate, but unlike most cars, when the needle gets to Empty, you are out of gas.

As far as octane, I generally go with 89, but always top tier. I notice no difference in fuel economy or performance compared to 91 or 93.

mcdanielvzw · 10-08-2018, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOrtiz

Yikes! That's putting major trust on that gauge. 15-30 miles is a tad too close for comfort as far as I'm concerned. You're running it down to one (1) gallon of fuel? Sheeesh!!

Are you not the slightest concerned about picking up particles from the depths of your gas tank?

Just curious.

Your fuel pump picks up fuel from the depths of the tank anyway, it's not floating at the top of your gas. Yes, debris can potentially move more with less fuel in the tank but that's what the sock/filter is for.

Strain/overheating of the pump is more of a concern.

The miles left estimate makes me giggle, since it changes so much. I think mine starts at something like 440, but I only ever get close to that on long highway drives when I don't stop or accelerate to pass much. I only really use it if I'm running low.

I intentionally run every car down low at least a couple times so I know (on average) how many miles per tank I get, based on my driving. That's more important to me coming from cars that didn't have an estimate, only a fuel gauge - I've never had one stop working personally, but if it did I know how many miles I have left on the tank.

messfong · 10-09-2018, 10:53 AM

I think the gauge is mostly accurate (towards the end) but not that accurate at the halfway mark (-1 gallon less than actual).

Supercar Sean · 10-17-2018, 08:33 AM

You could not pay me to run Sunoco gas in any of my cars. I have had horrible experience with it and now straight out refuse to run it.

Usually I run Shell V-Power in all my cars. If that is not available, Exxon/Mobile or Gulf.

As far as not letting the tank get close to empty, I agree as it increases the chance of having anything that has settled or separated being sucked into your fuel system.

I also use the "get upside" app on my phone to get gas at a discount if I'm going for gas, I will fill up to get the most money back.

Just my .02

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOrtiz

Hi all.

So I set my tachometer to register 5 days of travel time to/from work. Was curious if I could make it on one tank of gas, and from the readings shown, it appears I could.

As you can see I drive just under 412 miles weekly and the gauge says 436 before I run out. Today while driving to work the gas warning came on briefly and although the mileage shown to empty would have gotten me back home I topped it off anyway. It was between empty and ¼ tank.

I read somewhere it's not good to let it get to almost empty. And so, my question to you guys is, how low do you let it go? I'm thinking no less than ¼ tank.

What are your thoughts? I use Sunoco 93 octane exclusively.

Chicone · 10-17-2018, 07:05 PM

I ran mine down to where the CIC said I had 10 miles to go and the gauge was right on E or very slightly above. When I filled up with Costco 92 gas, it was around 15.7 gallons.. Not like my previous car where you could run it below E. I don’t like to get that low usually but I did drag race my last car and kept the fuel low in those situations or sometimes paid for the 102 octane at the track. Costco gas is high quality at a great price but the max octane you get in WA State is 92. I need to put bottle of injector cleaner in the X1 for next fill.

-Steve

2015 X1 35i MSport // BMS Intake

10-05-2018, 06:59 PM	#1
DOrtiz Private 13 Rep 93 Posts Drives: BMW X1 28i Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (0)	Trusting the gas gauge Hi all. So I set my tachometer to register 5 days of travel time to/from work. Was curious if I could make it on one tank of gas, and from the readings shown, it appears I could. As you can see I drive just under 412 miles weekly and the gauge says 436 before I run out. Today while driving to work the gas warning came on briefly and although the mileage shown to empty would have gotten me back home I topped it off anyway. It was between empty and ¼ tank. I read somewhere it's not good to let it get to almost empty. And so, my question to you guys is, how low do you let it go? I'm thinking no less than ¼ tank. What are your thoughts? I use Sunoco 93 octane exclusively. Attached Images __________________ 2020 BMW X1 28i sDrive \| Alpine White Sleepless in SW Florida
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10-05-2018, 10:51 PM	#2
kiloTHREE Lieutenant 76 Rep 435 Posts Drives: '13 xDrive28i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	I run my gas down to the warning of 15-30 miles. Average fill up is 15.5 gallons. Capacity is 16.6.
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10-06-2018, 10:09 AM	#4
Kevman Private First Class 45 Rep 169 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 x30i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I try to not run it down that low, but occasionally I do. Never a problem, gauges all seem to be dead on accurate.
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10-07-2018, 04:35 PM	#5
forteatwo Private 6 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 S-Drive Join Date: May 2013 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	This weekend I ran my gas gauge down to 27 miles left, fill up was 16.1 gallons, and the needle was not quite pegged on Empty. That tells me the gas gauge is not only dead accurate, but unlike most cars, when the needle gets to Empty, you are out of gas. As far as octane, I generally go with 89, but always top tier. I notice no difference in fuel economy or performance compared to 91 or 93.
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10-09-2018, 10:53 AM	#7
messfong New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: X1 E84 2013 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	I think the gauge is mostly accurate (towards the end) but not that accurate at the halfway mark (-1 gallon less than actual).
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10-17-2018, 07:05 PM	#9
Chicone Private First Class 28 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2015 X1 X35i M-SPORT Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Seattle, Wa iTrader: (0)	I ran mine down to where the CIC said I had 10 miles to go and the gauge was right on E or very slightly above. When I filled up with Costco 92 gas, it was around 15.7 gallons.. Not like my previous car where you could run it below E. I don’t like to get that low usually but I did drag race my last car and kept the fuel low in those situations or sometimes paid for the 102 octane at the track. Costco gas is high quality at a great price but the max octane you get in WA State is 92. I need to put bottle of injector cleaner in the X1 for next fill. -Steve 2015 X1 35i MSport // BMS Intake
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