Fuel reserve

[jjonn]

Hi again all 300 maniacs.

Maybe a worthless question here. I am an ex bike rider, and 25 years ago, i started with 2 stroke engines ( some i had to add oil with the petrol, hehe), and i always filled up when a quarter full. I continued to do so with bigger bikes, habit i guess.

But as i am new to cars, and mine is a mint 25 year old, i have been doing the same, and leaving a good few liters in a can in the boot.

I am wondering if anyone can tell me how many miles ( approx ) , or how many liters there are supposed to be when the fuel light comes on? I would hate to run out, and possibly push some crap into the sytem.

Sorry if this has been covered before, i did a quick search here, but i am probably useless looking. So slap my wrists moderators if i missed it.

Thanks in advance maniacs.

( Its been a while since i posted, some info, its a 340 gle ( british, not import ), 1.7, d reg , i guess around 25 years old )

[pettaw]

Fuel light is supposed to come on when there's about 5 litres left, but in practice, I reckon it comes on a bit sooner, when there's about 8-10 litres, but it probably varies car to car. I emptied a petrol tank once on a 360 because it was very old fuel and not much of it, and it took two 5l jerry cans before the light went out.

Hope that helps.

[jjonn]

I will take your ( very quick, thank you ) answer. Maybe i can run her down a little lower than i have been doing.

Unless ( newbie question here ), the 360 has a different tank/meter?

Guess i am a little over worried. Never ever ran out of fuel on a bike, or my first car ( i am 39, hehe ).

Thanks again

[volvosneverdie]

My 340 used to light at about 7 litres.

[Hell Driver]

I'd put some in as soon as the light comes on, and always carry some in a can. Bitter experience shows that they don't run on air If the lights on and your driving around town with a cold engine on short trips it will be far less than you expect before you run out. Running low on a motorway cruising at 55 with a warm engine, you've got longer. I once ran out (many years ago!) on the M1 driving home from Dorset (seeing if I could make it on a tank, 265 miles). Just passed the South Yorks border, in the outside lane, overtaking....not fun. Thank god I had a gallon in a can.

[jjonn]

Ok i scared now! Hehe! I think i may keep my emergency 10 quids worth in the boot. And i think that as thit is not an exact science, , i will always stick that raping govornment pipe into the filler as soon as light comes on.

Cheers again quick repliers

( Feels good to be back people, thx a million )

[Ride_on]

The 360 does have an entirely different tank, but mainly they use alot more fuel than the 340, you really don't want to get stuck in sub zero temps with no fuel. Sensible guidelines are min 1/4 tank in winter. Car has alot more fuel usage range than bikes, with 100+BHP and over a ton weight, put the foot down around town and it will just hoover it up.