Member Since: 29 Aug 2008
Location: SW
Posts: 2390
Fuel Light
Is it safe to run the fuel tank down so low that the fuel light comes on?
I say no but SWMBO insists on having the light come on before refueling. I wouldn't mind so much if she brimmed it but she'll only put £50 in tops.
I was always told to keep it over 1/4 tank to stop any being picked up. Does this still apply with modern engines and their efficient filter systems.HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
They shall not grow old as those of us left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
20th Jul 2010 10:00 am
heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
I quite often run mine down to the light (catches you out quickly on a V8 ) no problems so far
20th Jul 2010 10:07 am
adam
Member Since: 20 Sep 2005
Location: Home and Happy
Posts: 6917
Had light on mine loads of time - no issues
20th Jul 2010 10:14 am
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
I've done it on every car I've owned and never had any issues with blocked filters or fuel starvation.
My d3 currently shows 8 miles on the range display, and it's 12 to the local morrisons! 2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
20th Jul 2010 10:22 am
Phil1644
Member Since: 14 Nov 2009
Location: Probably still in work!
Posts: 303
ISTR that there was stuff written in the winter about the FBH. If the fuel level is low and the outside air temperature is cold, then normally the FBH would try & start up, but doesnt to conserve fuel and this can sometimes lead to the FBH locking out
Someone else may know more about this
Guess you might get away with it with the summer temps so far 8)
20th Jul 2010 10:28 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10338
my fuel light comes on about half way between 1/4 tank line and empty, so 50plus miles range left. I ran my old D3 past 0 range a couple of times with no ill effects.
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
20th Jul 2010 10:29 am
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3644
Mostly I do not bother filling the D3 up until the warning light comes on - had no problems doing this and I used to do the same with my 2 TD5's and 300TDI.1996 Discovery 1 300TDI ES Biarritz Blue, sold
1999 Discovery 2 TD5 ES Rioja Red, sold
2002 Discovery 2 TD5 ES Buckingham Blue, sold
2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Adriatic Blue, sold
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Zambezi Silver, sold
2011 Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE Nara Bronze, sold
2016 Volvo XC60 D5 AWD Lux Nav Twilight Bronze, sold
2020 Range Rover Evoque P250 First Edition, Nolita grey, sold
2023 Range Rover Evoque P300e Autobiography, Carpathian grey
20th Jul 2010 1:25 pm
CMG
Member Since: 12 Jul 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 956
Been doing that for years in vehicles, never had any issues.
Yeah, on the 4.4 it does come on rather quick. 17 Discovery 5 HSE Si6, Fuji White on brown | 07 LR3 SE 4.4 Java Black on Alpaca
Club V8/Club OCD
20th Jul 2010 1:39 pm
zarnd
Member Since: 23 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 794
Have done it and still do it in every vehicle I own. I like to see how far I can go on the fuel light. Have had the D3 range down to 0 a few times, and my M5 has gone to --- a few times as well.
Member Since: 06 Nov 2007
Location: Deepest Darkest Berkshire
Posts: 696
I also drive regularly with the light on - I normally recon it gives me 50miles. I have never had any issues and quite often get down to 0 miles.
My SWMBO goes all jittery when the light comes on and will not "let" me go on a motorway until I fill-up. Not that she ever fills the tank fully since apparently that's not safe either. Wummin ! Also Gone : MY14 D4 SDV6 HSE : Barolo Black + Almond
Sadly Gone : MY08 D3 TDV6 HSE : Stornoway + Alpaca + Privacy + BAS Remap
20th Jul 2010 2:12 pm
MARKW
Member Since: 29 Aug 2008
Location: SW
Posts: 2390
I'll not get to excited when she runs it to the light in future then.
I'm so used to work vehicles where you refuel them at the end of every driving detail, even if you only use 5-10l. I need to overcome my fear then and act more like a care free civvy, like you lot is HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
They shall not grow old as those of us left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
You never know where the next re-fill opportunity may be. Morrison's might run out - drivers go on strike - you desperately need to go somewhere suddenly - it's Sunday - etc.. There are parts of the country up here where you can go well over 50 miles without any place to fill up at all.
I try not to go below 1/2 way before I fill up. Also avoids heart failure when going to pay! A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
20th Jul 2010 2:49 pm
CMG
Member Since: 12 Jul 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 956
I agree if you're out exploring, out in the boonies...fill up every chance.
Around town here, there's a station on every corner so... 17 Discovery 5 HSE Si6, Fuji White on brown | 07 LR3 SE 4.4 Java Black on Alpaca
Club V8/Club OCD
20th Jul 2010 3:43 pm
TheOneAndOnlyNikolaus
Member Since: 13 Jul 2008
Location: Vienna
Posts: 140
perhaps your wife needs to talk to my wife who run out of fuel on the highway with two small kids in the back. Fuel gauge would sit at 1/4 no matter how far you would drive until the tank was dry. Needless to mention that happened on the trip back home trip from the airport a 17 hour journey back to Europe from the US....
Earlier this month I let it run right down well past the light coming on.
Did 500 miles on the tank - and then put 82.27ltrs in. Which worried me, as its 82ltr tank I thought.
Mind you I guess they don't count the filler neck! Mark.
2006, D3 SE Auto - gone but not forgotten.
2014 BMW 530d M Sport Tourer.
1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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being picked up. Does this still apply with modern engines and their efficient filter systems.
) no problems so far
