Can you remember the last time you ran out of fuel?

Broncho · 01-05-2019, 04:48 PM

I’m thinking late 90s, is this even a thing now?

Anybody got any stories?

Tengocity · 01-05-2019, 05:02 PM

Yes, I only did it once. In an MX5, in 1998, so maybe it was a 90s thing... though I suspect it's more likely because I was perpetually broke back then!

Wills2 · 01-05-2019, 05:04 PM

The first and last time I ran out of fuel, was back in the 90's in transit towing a horse box with a rodeo bull in the back (a mechanical one) on my way to a 48 hr shift of gigs (Cambridge college party/Sandhurst military academy party)

Total farce and I was delayed which caused allsorts of hell at the uni do as they had closed the perimeter to stop the usual gate crashers and getting a 500kg bull in over the fields at the back required the college rugby team, they also burst the bloody inflatable cushion the posh twats....which meant the Sandhurst gig was off, I called to tell them the C/O said nonsense we'll get some crash mats from the gym.....

Having said that that was nothing compared the Salford university gig I did, now that was like the zombie apocalypse, very scary.

I remember one gig at a barracks was a bit twitchy when I got to the gate, and the guards ordered me out of the van and with their SA80s at the ready told me to open the horsebox and they looked nervous, thankfully when they saw the bull they started laughing, that night I had trouble getting the bull out of the box as the floor was a bit rotten, a Highlands RSM in full dress barked that it wasn't an issue and 6 privates in full dress dragged it out whilst the RSM said you look tired fancy a McEwans Lad?

robbiep · 01-05-2019, 05:10 PM

About 2000, when I first got my TVR Chimaera. I found the one (and only, ever) fault with the car was that when the fuel gauge said 1/4, it was pretty much running on fumes.
Apart from that, in 2 years and 18k miles, the car was perfect. Nothing went wrong.

Abrek · 01-05-2019, 05:26 PM

2016 in Ford Fiesta ecoboost, liked to play range roulette at the time never since...

TouringPleb · 01-05-2019, 05:27 PM

Never have.

Used to have a Seat Ibiza FR 1.9tdi (with the i in red!!!). That used to do 50 miles after the trip computer went to - - -.

Had a few squeaky bum moments but never actually ran out.

obert · 01-05-2019, 05:34 PM

Lol good thread.

More than 20 years ago when I was living out of my car

64 plymouth valiant, gas gauge didn’t work so I would have to shake the back of the car with the gas cap off and listen for fuel sloshing around.

Ran out of gas in the middle of the road. Tried to push it and it wound up facing the wrong way in traffic. Finally found someone to give me a ride to the gas station and a couple of bucks for gas. Got back and the police were there. Put the gas in my car and moved to a parking lot.

Got a ticket for no license and no insurance. Awwwwwwww the crappy days of my life lol

Broncho · 01-05-2019, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wills2

The first and last time I ran out of fuel, was back in the 90's in transit towing a horse box with a rodeo bull in the back (a mechanical one) on my way to a 48 hr shift of gigs (Cambridge college party/Sandhurst military academy party)

Total farce and I was delayed which caused allsorts of hell at the uni do as they had closed the perimeter to stop the usual gate crashers and getting a 500kg bull in over the fields at the back required the college rugby team, they also burst the bloody inflatable cushion the posh twats....which meant the Sandhurst gig was off, I called to tell them the C/O said nonsense we'll get some crash mats from the gym.....

Having said that that was nothing compared the Salford university gig I did, now that was like the zombie apocalypse, very scary.

I remember one gig at a barracks was a bit twitchy when I got to the gate, and the guards ordered me out of the van and with their SA80s at the ready told me to open the horsebox and they looked nervous, thankfully when they saw the bull they started laughing, that night I had trouble getting the bull out of the box as the floor was a bit rotten, a Highlands RSM in full dress barked that it wasn't an issue and 6 privates in full dress dragged it out whilst the RSM said you look tired fancy a McEwans Lad?

Ok you win

agentorange · 01-05-2019, 10:49 PM

It was 1987 or 88 (I'm old). The car was a 1974 Vauxhall Magnum Coupe 2300, quite a rare beast I found out later. One very cold morning the fuel guage decided it was time to tell porkies. Was saved by my father who was following me. Never let it get below 1/4 after that.

Vauxhalls back then could have ruthlessly accurate needles, as you can tell from this story. The Magnum had replaced a 1969 Viva some years before. Somebody took the Viva off my hands for his wife to drive. About ten days later the casual mechanic across the street who had arranged the sale told me the lady had the car quit on her and he went to get her going. After checking the usual suspects on a car of that age (points, leads, distributor) he got into the driver's seat and turned the key to find the fuel guage reading empty. As diplomatically as possible he pointed out this fact. Apparently a troubled frown appeared on her face followed by this classic: "But my last car would run for a week with the guage on empty". Priceless.

Techno 9000 · 01-06-2019, 03:41 AM

^^^

I've run out twice, lucky both occasions.
First time, perpetually running late, I decided to drive past a fuel station with the needle on empty whilst going up a hill. My Mk 3 Escort decided against this, giving out on me 300 yards further on.
The second time was even luckier, running around on jobs in a Leyland Sherpa near midnight, with few stations open, the needle had been bouncing around the bottom of the gauge for some time. Hoping the next station would still be open, to prevent the need to climb a steep hill (see a theme here?), I found to my glee that it's lights were on. Turning into the forecourt the engine spluttered and died. I coasted up to the pump, phew!

Never run out since, although I've run the "Distance to Empty" down to zero on my Saabs on more than one occasion.

planemad · 01-06-2019, 04:34 AM

I did about 6 years ago in a 2007 Range Rover Vouge.
Totally died in the fast late of a busy A road but I managed to steer over to the verge.
Gauge was showing a quarter of a tank.

It turns out the fuel sender unit was faulty and there was zero juice in the motor.

TodmordenLad · 01-06-2019, 05:11 AM

Yes I remember well, 2000
In my 250D C class estate half way up a mountain with the family in the French alps. Fuel indicator said I had half a tank, turned out I had none. One of many electrical faults I experienced with the car. Last time I owned a Merc. Shame really as the engine and gearbox were excellent at the time

RobUK · 01-06-2019, 05:46 AM

Mid 70's. Was riding my Suzuki GT185 from Brighton to Hastings on Christmas Eve night and being a dimwit, didn't realise fuel stations would close early. Ran out of fuel at Polegate and ended up pushing the bike about half a mile before I spotted a house with the light on. Knocked on the door and explained my plight to the lady homeowner. She kindly opened up her garage and we found a small can of fuel that her hubby used for his lawnmower. Reckoned it would be just enough to get me the 6-7 miles to Hastings. Feeling I ought to pay something I reached into my pocket but only had a fiver - about ten times more than the value of fuel she'd given me! At that point her charitable nature disappeared and she whisked the fiver out of my hand saying "That'll do!".

Skwirrel · 01-06-2019, 06:54 AM

Vauxhall Corsa hire car on the A1. The fuel gauge went from "50 miles to go" to "less than 50 miles to go" at 49 miles to go - for the next 49 miles.

I passed a petrol station as it had no loo and I knew then next one in a couple of miles did have one. I ran out of fuel with about half a mile to go, engine stopped and coasted with the clutch in to within 100 yards of the second petrol station.

Cue the walk of shame buying a jerrycan full of fuel, and then returning a few minutes later to fill up the car.

The only upside is it cost me about £80 to hire the car for a week in between selling my last car and picking up my new one.

chris-c · 01-06-2019, 07:14 AM

Probably about ten years ago in a diesel Mondeo. Played range roulette and hit an uphill bit of road. Car pulled in all the shit from the fuel tank dregs and caused the car to cough and splutter. I carried on rolling and managed to make it to the petrol station.

Filled it up and the problem didn't go. I had to get some errors cleared and a new fuel filter.

Lame

Kal101 · 01-06-2019, 09:03 AM

Not yet but am running the 335xd as low as possible

Filled him up with BP ultimate and trying to get the max effect out of those lovely detergents prior to filling up with standard BP

mikeoz · 01-06-2019, 10:28 AM

Never had it happen my self...

Soul_Glo · 01-06-2019, 10:53 AM

2012. I had been off work and agreed to do the grocery shop for my wife. Luckily I managed to get to the local Tesco as the engine coughed and spluttered. Sadly I forgot my wallet. I filled up. I went in and realised I didn't have my wallet. I explained to the manager and he was quite understanding as I was a regular and said he wouldn't call the Police so long as I stayed with the car. My wife couldn't leave work. I had to call my sister. She was on maternity leave. She was able to come and pay. I offered to pay her back as soon as I got home but she refused. So I took her and my brother in law out for a meal the next day.

Since then I have never let a tank go below a quarter.

RobG_M340 · 01-06-2019, 11:40 AM

Two years ago in my 08 328i lol. Got home the night before with "- - miles", knowing I'd have enough to get to the gas station next morning. Next morning I woke up, completely forgot I needed gas and started rushing around without paying attention. Luckily I felt it start going and was able to pull into a gas station on my right before it completely cut off on me.

Lorcan · 01-09-2019, 03:52 AM

Once, about 10 years ago in my diesel Golf. Ran out in my own street. Walked home, grabbed a 3 litre bottle of vegetable oil from the kitchen, tipped it in the tank and drove to the garage.

A friend of mine used to regularly use a 50/50 mix of vegetable oil and diesel when veg oil was 65p a litre

Abzynthe · 01-09-2019, 08:45 AM

The only time I have ever run out of fuel was when I passed my test, me and some friends swapped an engine in my first car as one was a write off due to a crash, and the other had head gasket failure, so two bads made one good. Anywho, I was running the new engine while the car was stationary to test it worked, then it just shut off. Spent ages trying to work out why, then looked at the fuel gauge

Craig-SM · 01-09-2019, 09:25 AM

I ran out of fuel often in my old Transit due to a knackered fuel gauge. Quite a few walks to the petrol station with fuel can in hand.
Last time I ran out of fuel was on my KTM 990 taking it to be part ex'd and pick up the new KTM. I thought I had enough in the tank but coming up to the junction on motorway and engine coughed before it died. Clutch in and coasted as far as I could hoping to get the exit which was downhill. Didn't make it so had to push the bike along the hard shoulder and onto the slip road. The petrol station was only about a mile away but all uphill, it was a very hot day and in full bike gear I was drenched in sweat by the time I got there.

01-05-2019, 04:48 PM	#1
Broncho Banned 2311 Rep 5,101 Posts Drives: Chav white Mercedes Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Rainhill iTrader: (0)	Can you remember the last time you ran out of fuel? I’m thinking late 90s, is this even a thing now? Anybody got any stories?
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01-05-2019, 05:02 PM	#2
Tengocity General 8566 Rep 19,982 Posts Drives: 911, Cayenne Turbo, Disco 4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland iTrader: (0)	Yes, I only did it once. In an MX5, in 1998, so maybe it was a 90s thing... though I suspect it's more likely because I was perpetually broke back then! __________________ Current: Porsche 911 991 C4S, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Land Rover Discovery 4. Gone...G01 X3 M40i, Cayman S 987, F31 340i, Cayman GT4, F82 M4 CP, Lotus Exige V6, G20 330e, F30 330e, Boxster S 987, F31 335d, Mini Cooper SD, E89 Z4, E90 330d 320d, E60 520d, E46 330d 320d, MX5s, E30 325i
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01-05-2019, 05:04 PM	#3
Wills2 Barge driver 8656 Rep 12,425 Posts Drives: 730d Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The first and last time I ran out of fuel, was back in the 90's in transit towing a horse box with a rodeo bull in the back (a mechanical one) on my way to a 48 hr shift of gigs (Cambridge college party/Sandhurst military academy party) Total farce and I was delayed which caused allsorts of hell at the uni do as they had closed the perimeter to stop the usual gate crashers and getting a 500kg bull in over the fields at the back required the college rugby team, they also burst the bloody inflatable cushion the posh twats....which meant the Sandhurst gig was off, I called to tell them the C/O said nonsense we'll get some crash mats from the gym..... Having said that that was nothing compared the Salford university gig I did, now that was like the zombie apocalypse, very scary. I remember one gig at a barracks was a bit twitchy when I got to the gate, and the guards ordered me out of the van and with their SA80s at the ready told me to open the horsebox and they looked nervous, thankfully when they saw the bull they started laughing, that night I had trouble getting the bull out of the box as the floor was a bit rotten, a Highlands RSM in full dress barked that it wasn't an issue and 6 privates in full dress dragged it out whilst the RSM said you look tired fancy a McEwans Lad? __________________ 730d/Z4C Last edited by Wills2; 01-05-2019 at 05:16 PM..
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01-05-2019, 05:10 PM	#4
robbiep Brigadier General 1983 Rep 3,216 Posts Drives: VW e-Golf ! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: North Wales, UK iTrader: (0)	About 2000, when I first got my TVR Chimaera. I found the one (and only, ever) fault with the car was that when the fuel gauge said 1/4, it was pretty much running on fumes. Apart from that, in 2 years and 18k miles, the car was perfect. Nothing went wrong.
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01-05-2019, 05:26 PM	#5
Abrek Second Lieutenant 124 Rep 256 Posts Drives: MY18 435d Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Edinburgh iTrader: (0)	2016 in Ford Fiesta ecoboost, liked to play range roulette at the time never since...
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01-05-2019, 05:27 PM	#6
TouringPleb Brigadier General 4372 Rep 4,230 Posts Drives: SRB 440i GC Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cambs iTrader: (0)	Never have. Used to have a Seat Ibiza FR 1.9tdi (with the i in red!!!). That used to do 50 miles after the trip computer went to - - -. Had a few squeaky bum moments but never actually ran out.
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01-05-2019, 05:34 PM	#7
obert Brigadier General 1781 Rep 4,456 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Seattle Wa iTrader: (49)	Lol good thread. More than 20 years ago when I was living out of my car 64 plymouth valiant, gas gauge didn’t work so I would have to shake the back of the car with the gas cap off and listen for fuel sloshing around. Ran out of gas in the middle of the road. Tried to push it and it wound up facing the wrong way in traffic. Finally found someone to give me a ride to the gas station and a couple of bucks for gas. Got back and the police were there. Put the gas in my car and moved to a parking lot. Got a ticket for no license and no insurance. Awwwwwwww the crappy days of my life lol Last edited by obert; 01-05-2019 at 11:17 PM..
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01-05-2019, 10:49 PM	#9
agentorange Major 1508 Rep 1,386 Posts Drives: 328d Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Desert SW iTrader: (0)	It was 1987 or 88 (I'm old). The car was a 1974 Vauxhall Magnum Coupe 2300, quite a rare beast I found out later. One very cold morning the fuel guage decided it was time to tell porkies. Was saved by my father who was following me. Never let it get below 1/4 after that. Vauxhalls back then could have ruthlessly accurate needles, as you can tell from this story. The Magnum had replaced a 1969 Viva some years before. Somebody took the Viva off my hands for his wife to drive. About ten days later the casual mechanic across the street who had arranged the sale told me the lady had the car quit on her and he went to get her going. After checking the usual suspects on a car of that age (points, leads, distributor) he got into the driver's seat and turned the key to find the fuel guage reading empty. As diplomatically as possible he pointed out this fact. Apparently a troubled frown appeared on her face followed by this classic: "But my last car would run for a week with the guage on empty". Priceless. Last edited by agentorange; 01-06-2019 at 03:54 AM..
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01-06-2019, 03:41 AM	#10
Techno 9000 Captain 518 Rep 944 Posts Drives: 435D Estoril Blue Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: East Sussex iTrader: (0)	^^^ I've run out twice, lucky both occasions. First time, perpetually running late, I decided to drive past a fuel station with the needle on empty whilst going up a hill. My Mk 3 Escort decided against this, giving out on me 300 yards further on. The second time was even luckier, running around on jobs in a Leyland Sherpa near midnight, with few stations open, the needle had been bouncing around the bottom of the gauge for some time. Hoping the next station would still be open, to prevent the need to climb a steep hill (see a theme here?), I found to my glee that it's lights were on. Turning into the forecourt the engine spluttered and died. I coasted up to the pump, phew! Never run out since, although I've run the "Distance to Empty" down to zero on my Saabs on more than one occasion.
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01-06-2019, 04:34 AM	#11
planemad Lieutenant Colonel 773 Rep 1,643 Posts Drives: 2020 Audi SQ7 & 2019 AM DB11 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: The Democratic Peoples Republic Of South East England iTrader: (0)	I did about 6 years ago in a 2007 Range Rover Vouge. Totally died in the fast late of a busy A road but I managed to steer over to the verge. Gauge was showing a quarter of a tank. It turns out the fuel sender unit was faulty and there was zero juice in the motor.
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01-06-2019, 05:11 AM	#12
TodmordenLad Brigadier General 2876 Rep 3,966 Posts Drives: Audi A4 Avant Join Date: May 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Yes I remember well, 2000 In my 250D C class estate half way up a mountain with the family in the French alps. Fuel indicator said I had half a tank, turned out I had none. One of many electrical faults I experienced with the car. Last time I owned a Merc. Shame really as the engine and gearbox were excellent at the time __________________ Owned: 440i GC LCI with MPPSK, F31 330D M Sport with MPPK, F11 530D SE, F11 520D SE, E61 530D M Sport, E36 325i plus many MB's, Audi's & Volvo's
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01-06-2019, 05:46 AM	#13
RobUK Brigadier General 2811 Rep 4,935 Posts Drives: 340i MPPSK Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sussex, N.Yorks, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 340i MPPSK [0.00] 2001 Yamaha FZS1000 [0.00]	Mid 70's. Was riding my Suzuki GT185 from Brighton to Hastings on Christmas Eve night and being a dimwit, didn't realise fuel stations would close early. Ran out of fuel at Polegate and ended up pushing the bike about half a mile before I spotted a house with the light on. Knocked on the door and explained my plight to the lady homeowner. She kindly opened up her garage and we found a small can of fuel that her hubby used for his lawnmower. Reckoned it would be just enough to get me the 6-7 miles to Hastings. Feeling I ought to pay something I reached into my pocket but only had a fiver - about ten times more than the value of fuel she'd given me! At that point her charitable nature disappeared and she whisked the fiver out of my hand saying "That'll do!". __________________ Life is a state of mind
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01-06-2019, 06:54 AM	#14
Skwirrel Second Lieutenant 183 Rep 207 Posts Drives: 330d Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Herts iTrader: (0)	Vauxhall Corsa hire car on the A1. The fuel gauge went from "50 miles to go" to "less than 50 miles to go" at 49 miles to go - for the next 49 miles. I passed a petrol station as it had no loo and I knew then next one in a couple of miles did have one. I ran out of fuel with about half a mile to go, engine stopped and coasted with the clutch in to within 100 yards of the second petrol station. Cue the walk of shame buying a jerrycan full of fuel, and then returning a few minutes later to fill up the car. The only upside is it cost me about £80 to hire the car for a week in between selling my last car and picking up my new one.
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01-06-2019, 07:14 AM	#15
chris-c Lieutenant Colonel 901 Rep 1,801 Posts Drives: F31 340i RWD Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Kent iTrader: (0)	Probably about ten years ago in a diesel Mondeo. Played range roulette and hit an uphill bit of road. Car pulled in all the shit from the fuel tank dregs and caused the car to cough and splutter. I carried on rolling and managed to make it to the petrol station. Filled it up and the problem didn't go. I had to get some errors cleared and a new fuel filter. Lame
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01-06-2019, 09:03 AM	#16
Kal101 Major General 3105 Rep 7,032 Posts Drives: 335xd Msport + Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: West mids!!!! iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Bmw msport + 3 ... [0.00]	Not yet but am running the 335xd as low as possible Filled him up with BP ultimate and trying to get the max effect out of those lovely detergents prior to filling up with standard BP __________________
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01-06-2019, 10:28 AM	#17
mikeoz Major General 2856 Rep 5,608 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40d LCI Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: cambs iTrader: (1)	Never had it happen my self...
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01-06-2019, 10:53 AM	#18
Soul_Glo Major General 13347 Rep 7,484 Posts Drives: G20 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Manhattan, NYC iTrader: (1)	2012. I had been off work and agreed to do the grocery shop for my wife. Luckily I managed to get to the local Tesco as the engine coughed and spluttered. Sadly I forgot my wallet. I filled up. I went in and realised I didn't have my wallet. I explained to the manager and he was quite understanding as I was a regular and said he wouldn't call the Police so long as I stayed with the car. My wife couldn't leave work. I had to call my sister. She was on maternity leave. She was able to come and pay. I offered to pay her back as soon as I got home but she refused. So I took her and my brother in law out for a meal the next day. Since then I have never let a tank go below a quarter.
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01-06-2019, 11:40 AM	#19
RobG_M340 Private First Class 53 Rep 152 Posts Drives: '21 M340xi Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Miami Beach, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1973 Jeep CJ5 [0.00] 2021 BMW M340xi [0.00]	Two years ago in my 08 328i lol. Got home the night before with "- - miles", knowing I'd have enough to get to the gas station next morning. Next morning I woke up, completely forgot I needed gas and started rushing around without paying attention. Luckily I felt it start going and was able to pull into a gas station on my right before it completely cut off on me.
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01-09-2019, 03:52 AM	#20
Lorcan The artist formerly known as AC Schnitzer UK 3609 Rep 4,518 Posts Drives: The Yellow Peril Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Norfolk UK iTrader: (0)	Once, about 10 years ago in my diesel Golf. Ran out in my own street. Walked home, grabbed a 3 litre bottle of vegetable oil from the kitchen, tipped it in the tank and drove to the garage. A friend of mine used to regularly use a 50/50 mix of vegetable oil and diesel when veg oil was 65p a litre
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01-09-2019, 08:45 AM	#21
Abzynthe Colonel 1388 Rep 2,127 Posts Drives: BMW 440i Gran Coupe LCI Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The only time I have ever run out of fuel was when I passed my test, me and some friends swapped an engine in my first car as one was a write off due to a crash, and the other had head gasket failure, so two bads made one good. Anywho, I was running the new engine while the car was stationary to test it worked, then it just shut off. Spent ages trying to work out why, then looked at the fuel gauge __________________ Previous: 2010 F01 740d M Sport \| 2015 F36 420d M Sport Current: 2018 F36 440i M Sport (Stage 1 BM3, xHP stage 3)
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01-09-2019, 09:25 AM	#22
Craig-SM Captain 325 Rep 709 Posts Drives: BMW 320d M Sport - F30 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Leeds iTrader: (0)	I ran out of fuel often in my old Transit due to a knackered fuel gauge. Quite a few walks to the petrol station with fuel can in hand. Last time I ran out of fuel was on my KTM 990 taking it to be part ex'd and pick up the new KTM. I thought I had enough in the tank but coming up to the junction on motorway and engine coughed before it died. Clutch in and coasted as far as I could hoping to get the exit which was downhill. Didn't make it so had to push the bike along the hard shoulder and onto the slip road. The petrol station was only about a mile away but all uphill, it was a very hot day and in full bike gear I was drenched in sweat by the time I got there.
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