1/4

ajw45 · 10-10-2011, 07:39 PM

Hey Everyone,
Just got a new-to-me z4m and it has been awesome! Stangely though, the gas light comes on when the gas guage is just below 1/4. Is that normal?

Thanks!
Andy

Jbs · 10-10-2011, 07:46 PM

yes it's normal, the car has a very small tank. you still have 40-50 miles (highway) left once the light does come on though.

Pheonix · 10-10-2011, 08:57 PM

Yes, it is normal but do not trust the fuel gage/indicator. I learned it the hard way (and felt like a fcuking idiot afterward). Basically, the idicator came on with about 20s miles left to empty. Then my car just died as i was driving around the corner. The whole dashboard lighted up, the scanner showed a whole bunch of error codes. The dealer could not figured out what wrong and concluded that i ran out of gas. They adviced me not to trust the indicator and said to always take the mileage to empty, divide in half then substract 10 just to be safe. I have never push my luck since then and always refill as early as slightly less than half emptied.

M_Six · 10-10-2011, 09:07 PM

My miles-to-go indicator will lose 5 or 6 miles for every mile traveled once it goes below 1/4 tank. Treat the 1/4 tank mark as empty and you'll be fine.

Jbs · 10-10-2011, 09:19 PM

I have (also like a fucking idiot) hit 0 miles in the MC. I was 2 miles from the nearest gas station (Mulholland and the 405S), but luckily that is where the freeway starts to go downhill. I was able to coast in 6th without the car dying, and use the throttle only to get going from one light across the street from the exit into the station

keep some gas in that tank, its not even close to the capacity of most bigger cars!

a full tank for $40 is pretty cool tho

beta · 10-10-2011, 09:30 PM

From the manual:

Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 14.5 US gallons/55 liters, including the reserve capacity of approx. 2.6 US gallons/10 liters.

Do not drive until the tank is empty. Otherwise, the engine may not operate properly and damage could result.

vachss · 10-10-2011, 09:51 PM

FWIW the 3.0si behaves a bit differently. The light goes on at 1/8th tank (~50 miles left on the dashboard computer). Once the dash indicator goes down to 0 (--- miles indicated) I'll typically have another 30 or so miles to true empty. I habitually run it 10-20 miles into this zone and have only run out once in 4 years/80K miles. Usually about 360-380 miles per tank around town and 400-430 on the freeway.

IWantAnE92 · 10-10-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbs

a full tank for $40 is pretty cool tho

Where are you getting gas for $3/gallon?!

h100250 · 10-11-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IWantAnE92

Where are you getting gas for $3/gallon?!

Cost me about ~$48.00 to fill up from when the light comes on with current prices

chickdr · 10-11-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IWantAnE92

Where are you getting gas for $3/gallon?!

It is actually below $3 in some parts of the country. 3.19/gal for regular here in Atlanta.

Loogey Clapp · 10-11-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

It is actually below $3 in some parts of the country. 3.19/gal for regular here in Atlanta.

Geezus!! We're bending over and getting the dirty end of the mopstick up here in Seattle. Besides getting it from the oil companies, I think we got the highest gas tax in the country.

Pheonix · 10-11-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loogey Clapp

Geezus!! We're bending over and getting the dirty end of the mopstick up here in Seattle. Besides getting it from the oil companies, I think we got the highest gas tax in the country.

Hahaha... I don't think so. That honor is all ours in the great state of Connecticut. We are paying almost $0.70 per gallon in taxes

IWantAnE92 · 10-11-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loogey Clapp

Geezus!! We're bending over and getting the dirty end of the mopstick up here in Seattle. Besides getting it from the oil companies, I think we got the highest gas tax in the country.

Yeah exactly. I'm struggling to find premium at under $4, nevermind $3!

gcochard · 10-11-2011, 05:09 PM

The last few times I've filled up it was around 12.8 gallons, the miles to empty was telling me 10~20. Should have been indicating at least 30, my MPGs are usually higher than 18.

Jbs · 10-11-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IWantAnE92

Where are you getting gas for $3/gallon?!

hah, i may have been rounding a bit too much. from when the light turns on to full is usually just over $40 bucks, at least that's the usual routine unless you pay $4.39 like I did today

b0bab0i · 10-11-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vachss

FWIW the 3.0si behaves a bit differently. The light goes on at 1/8th tank (~50 miles left on the dashboard computer). Once the dash indicator goes down to 0 (--- miles indicated) I'll typically have another 30 or so miles to true empty. I habitually run it 10-20 miles into this zone and have only run out once in 4 years/80K miles. Usually about 360-380 miles per tank around town and 400-430 on the freeway.

This happens on the prefacelift 3.0i also. Miles go down to ----miles and you still have enough gas to drive.

10-10-2011, 07:39 PM	#1
ajw45 Private First Class 32 Rep 149 Posts Drives: Z4M Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	1/4 - 1/8 Tank = Low Gas light? Hey Everyone, Just got a new-to-me z4m and it has been awesome! Stangely though, the gas light comes on when the gas guage is just below 1/4. Is that normal? Thanks! Andy
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-10-2011, 07:46 PM	#2
Jbs The Photographer 76 Rep 628 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC BSM/Black extended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	yes it's normal, the car has a very small tank. you still have 40-50 miles (highway) left once the light does come on though. __________________ John Batte Photography / Flickr / Facebook 2007 ///M Coupe BSM/Black Extended/Loaded \| RPi GT Exhaust w/custom gloss black tips \| KW V3 \| Michelin PSS 245/265 \| Pinnacle F1 Tint 35% \| ZHP Shift Knob
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2011, 08:57 PM	#3
Pheonix Major 379 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe 2012 e93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 BMW/Z4MC [0.00]	Yes, it is normal but do not trust the fuel gage/indicator. I learned it the hard way (and felt like a fcuking idiot afterward). Basically, the idicator came on with about 20s miles left to empty. Then my car just died as i was driving around the corner. The whole dashboard lighted up, the scanner showed a whole bunch of error codes. The dealer could not figured out what wrong and concluded that i ran out of gas. They adviced me not to trust the indicator and said to always take the mileage to empty, divide in half then substract 10 just to be safe. I have never push my luck since then and always refill as early as slightly less than half emptied.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2011, 09:07 PM	#4
M_Six Free Thinker 16967 Rep 7,455 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	My miles-to-go indicator will lose 5 or 6 miles for every mile traveled once it goes below 1/4 tank. Treat the 1/4 tank mark as empty and you'll be fine. __________________ Mark markj.pics "There is no shame in dropping fruit in your glass." -UncleWede
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2011, 09:19 PM	#5
Jbs The Photographer 76 Rep 628 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC BSM/Black extended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I have (also like a fucking idiot) hit 0 miles in the MC. I was 2 miles from the nearest gas station (Mulholland and the 405S), but luckily that is where the freeway starts to go downhill. I was able to coast in 6th without the car dying, and use the throttle only to get going from one light across the street from the exit into the station keep some gas in that tank, its not even close to the capacity of most bigger cars! a full tank for $40 is pretty cool tho __________________ John Batte Photography / Flickr / Facebook 2007 ///M Coupe BSM/Black Extended/Loaded \| RPi GT Exhaust w/custom gloss black tips \| KW V3 \| Michelin PSS 245/265 \| Pinnacle F1 Tint 35% \| ZHP Shift Knob
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2011, 09:30 PM	#6
beta Lieutenant Colonel 80 Rep 1,663 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	From the manual: Fuel tank capacity Approx. 14.5 US gallons/55 liters, including the reserve capacity of approx. 2.6 US gallons/10 liters. Do not drive until the tank is empty. Otherwise, the engine may not operate properly and damage could result. __________________ modification journal
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2011, 09:51 PM	#7
vachss Captain 55 Rep 815 Posts Drives: Z4 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ventura County, CA iTrader: (1)	FWIW the 3.0si behaves a bit differently. The light goes on at 1/8th tank (~50 miles left on the dashboard computer). Once the dash indicator goes down to 0 (--- miles indicated) I'll typically have another 30 or so miles to true empty. I habitually run it 10-20 miles into this zone and have only run out once in 4 years/80K miles. Usually about 360-380 miles per tank around town and 400-430 on the freeway.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2011, 05:09 PM	#14
gcochard Captain 24 Rep 784 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South OC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	The last few times I've filled up it was around 12.8 gallons, the miles to empty was telling me 10~20. Should have been indicating at least 30, my MPGs are usually higher than 18.
	Appreciate 0 Quote