fuel tank size questions

carzaddict · 10-16-2013, 09:18 AM

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I know the car has a 15.8 gallon tank. My question is....does that include the reserve tank? or is the reserve tank an additional 1-2 gallons?
How big is the reserve tank?
When does the reserve tank kick in?

Thanks

Avian · 10-16-2013, 09:37 AM

I think that includes the reserve tank because when I go below 50km(31Miles) remaining it shows a message showing something to the effect of that I must fill up as I'm now using fuel reserve. Don't quote me word for word because I haven't gone that low in a long time but it was something like that.

Cyberdemon · 10-16-2013, 09:45 AM

Based on other BMW's the F30 should have less than 1 gallon in "reserve" once the car reads 0. I do not believe BMW discloses that # or it's simply based on a percentage of the primary tank. If I had to guess .8 of the 15.8 tank is reserve on empty. BMW's seem to be notoriously accurate with their needles. Compared to my previous Acura where I know there was at least 3 gallons left on E.

DrivenByE30 · 10-16-2013, 09:46 AM

There is no such thing as a separate "reserve" tank....

I believe the warning pops up when you have less than 2 gallons in the tank...after that you're on your own.

Fille · 10-16-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

There is no such thing as a separate "reserve" tank....

I believe the warning pops up when you have less than 2 gallons in the tank...after that you're on your own.

Pretty sure there is a separate "zone" where the reserve fuel is located (same tank different location in it). I have a 320d (15.05 gallon tank) and i've driven till the car said i'd have 20-30 kms (it fluctuated a lot) left and then went to fuel up. The car only took in 14.34 gallons even with three clicks.

So I think my car has a like half a gallon reserve. Makes sense though if you think about it. It's like idiot proofing. Even though some dumbass would try to push it all the way to 0 kms left it would still be drivable...

tdizzle · 10-16-2013, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivenByE30

There is no such thing as a separate "reserve" tank....

I believe the warning pops up when you have less than 2 gallons in the tank...after that you're on your own.

This was also my assumption. That there isn't a physical 'reserve' tank. It's merely the electronics going the extra mile (pun intended) to ensure you don't run out of gas. i.e., car reads 0 left but you have a splash left in the tank.

I could be wrong though. Seems like a physical reserve tank wouldn't be cost effective when there are all kinds of electronic gadgetry to tell you that you're about to run out (as if the fuel gauge isn't enough).

EDIT: Apparently the old M5s stated the size of the 'reserve', but I couldn't figure out if that was included in the total capacity or just to note when the warnings would go off. Ours just show total capacity making me think there isn't a physical reserve. The plot thickens.

Sedan_Clan · 10-16-2013, 12:04 PM

In the E9X cars, I could drive about 20 miles once the display read "0". I have yet to test the limits of the F30.

btbossman · 10-16-2013, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

In the E9X cars, I could drive about 20 miles once the display read "0". I have yet to test the limits of the F30.

I would say thats about right currently. I took a trip from dc to charlotte nc this summer, 405mi...spirited driving included, was on E for about the last 15-20mi...worked fine but I wouldn't push my luck any further

Mobster1983 · 10-17-2013, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carzaddict

I know the car has a 15.8 gallon tank. My question is....does that include the reserve tank? or is the reserve tank an additional 1-2 gallons?
How big is the reserve tank?
When does the reserve tank kick in?

Thanks

Lots of questions in this thread and no answer. I nominate the OP to be the test subject to confirm or deny the existence of "reserve fuel." Go drive until your car runs out of gas and dies. Fill her up and tell us how much gas she took.

Avian · 10-17-2013, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobster1983

Lots of questions in this thread and no answer. I nominate the OP to be the test subject to confirm or deny the existence of "reserve fuel." Go drive until your car runs out of gas and dies. Fill her up and tell us how much gas she took.

Nice!

BXL4 · 10-19-2013, 09:34 PM

If BMW specs their fuel tanks like their engine outputs, this could hold 18 gallons. I have a M-B ML320 that claims to have a 18.5 gallon tank but I have put over 20 gallons in it on a few occasions. That would be a lot of filler nozzle.

oceanview · 10-20-2013, 04:37 AM

Here you can find a technical drawing of the gasoline tank.
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=858575
See Chapter 3 on 02_F30 Powertrain.pdf

60 Liter flat. No reserve tank.
Reserve light will show up with about 1/6 left in the tank. Bordcomputer will adjust your "milage left until walking" depending on drinving conditions.

10-16-2013, 09:18 AM	#1
carzaddict Lieutenant Colonel 158 Rep 1,573 Posts Drives: 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	fuel tank size questions Featured on BIMMERPOST.com I know the car has a 15.8 gallon tank. My question is....does that include the reserve tank? or is the reserve tank an additional 1-2 gallons? How big is the reserve tank? When does the reserve tank kick in? Thanks __________________ 2015i Cadillac Escalade ESV
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10-16-2013, 09:37 AM	#2
Avian Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 252 Posts Drives: 2020 F44 BMW M235i Gran Coupe Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: GP iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 F82 BMW M4 Coupe [10.00] 2020 F44 BMW M235i ... [0.00]	I think that includes the reserve tank because when I go below 50km(31Miles) remaining it shows a message showing something to the effect of that I must fill up as I'm now using fuel reserve. Don't quote me word for word because I haven't gone that low in a long time but it was something like that.
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10-16-2013, 09:45 AM	#3
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	Based on other BMW's the F30 should have less than 1 gallon in "reserve" once the car reads 0. I do not believe BMW discloses that # or it's simply based on a percentage of the primary tank. If I had to guess .8 of the 15.8 tank is reserve on empty. BMW's seem to be notoriously accurate with their needles. Compared to my previous Acura where I know there was at least 3 gallons left on E. __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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10-16-2013, 09:46 AM	#4
DrivenByE30 Brigadier General 592 Rep 3,870 Posts Drives: '12 F30 Lux 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OC - SoCal iTrader: (0)	There is no such thing as a separate "reserve" tank.... I believe the warning pops up when you have less than 2 gallons in the tank...after that you're on your own.
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10-16-2013, 12:04 PM	#7
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 25021 Rep 22,269 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	In the E9X cars, I could drive about 20 miles once the display read "0". I have yet to test the limits of the F30.
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10-19-2013, 09:34 PM	#11
BXL4 First Lieutenant 49 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2015 328i Alpine White Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bainbridge Island WA iTrader: (0)	If BMW specs their fuel tanks like their engine outputs, this could hold 18 gallons. I have a M-B ML320 that claims to have a 18.5 gallon tank but I have put over 20 gallons in it on a few occasions. That would be a lot of filler nozzle.
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10-20-2013, 04:37 AM	#12
oceanview Captain 207 Rep 603 Posts Drives: 335i F31 RWD Autom. Join Date: May 2013 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	Here you can find a technical drawing of the gasoline tank. http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=858575 See Chapter 3 on 02_F30 Powertrain.pdf 60 Liter flat. No reserve tank. Reserve light will show up with about 1/6 left in the tank. Bordcomputer will adjust your "milage left until walking" depending on drinving conditions.
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