How far can you drive when the fuel light comes on ? ? ?

[rxkevco]

Feel a bit of a twat asking such a basic question,,but then again,,,would look like an even bigger twat pushing my car home when its ran out of fuel ! !

I have an auto.. 1997 523 se, but with a 2.8ltr M52 twin vanos replacement engine from a more modern bimmer.

When the fuel light comes on,,, just how much petrol is still left before the car completly runs out ? ? how many miles are left in it ? ?

Many thanks,,

[ldsbeaker]

I would say, depending on how you drive, you might have 50-60 miles MAX.

[528iTdude]

I can go about 60 mi. or so on my 528iT wagon. I fuel up with super.... $$$ Good luck.

JM>

[saltshaker185]

id say around 45-60 miles left...

but thats just if your in an emergency and no station in site... to be honest with you, you shouldnt ever let the gas run that low in your tank because your pickup will suck up all the dirt in your tank that has gathered up over the years if you go too low... (even being a 97 youd be surprised at the ammount of junk in there)

so my rule of thumb is if i see a quarter tank left i go ahead and top her off... i figure this way i wont ever run low, and keep the gas tanks backwash in the tank and out of my engine...

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

^ lol the 7 never goes under 1/2 tank. then gas doesn't seem so expensive
mine is only like 30 miles..87 635csi

[Numark318i]

i go about 75 when my light comes out.

Then i have like 5miles after the two -- come out on the OBC(for miles left). might be more...but i found a gas station 5 miles later.

[d3ity]

A fuel pump (especially a brand new one on a car with an old gas tank) has enough force behind it to collapse an empty tank....

Food for thought... I personally hate having less than 1/4 of a tank because I don't like abusing my fuel pump.

[WNeill]

Im sure when the light comes on that means there is 8 Litres left

[Dudesky_E36]

It depends on the series and model BMW. For e39s, the 6cyl engines have 8 liters when the light comes on, and 10 liters for the 8cyl 540i.

Running gas that low is not only bad for your engine as mentioned by saltshaker185, it will also prematurely wear out your fuel pump. The pump is designed to be immersed in the fuel to keep its motor running cool.

[Gurlugon]

I usually err on the side of caution and assume I have just over two gallons left.

[marti5]

The normal rule of thumb is you have 2 gallons/ 9 litres left, however this will only cause problems with getting crap in the fuel filter and the injectors.