Running on empty....

[Doggy]

I never seem to be able to fill the tank right up.
1st attempt - 24h self service pump cut out at £70, (when fuel was even dearer than now).
2nd attempt - low fuel warning light on, range indicting about 30 miles, got 66 l. in.
3rd attempt - low fuel light on for ages, range indicating 14 miles, gauge virtually on red, took 62 l.

Now maybe I'm not persevering enough when the auto shut-off operates - I wait a few seconds, give it one more try, then assume it's full. Does it take ages to get the last gallon or so in?

On the last occasion I thought I was about to run out & couldn't see why it would only take that amount of fuel.

Any ideas?

[DaiRees]

I've been told the theory that modern fuels contain detergents that cause them to froth up in the filler neck. I find that once it stops the first time, I let it settle for several seconds then squeeze the pump gently, maybe halfway, then it'll take a fair bit more. I usually do this a few times, then if you're determined to get it right up to the brim you can pull the nozzle partly out, there's a point about halfway out where it sits nicely in the filler.

I usually get at least 5l more in there than the first stop. My record is just over 70l in one fill, although some on here have been up near 75l (it's not that silly, 70l tank plus a long fat filler hose.... ).

[mjb]

although some on here have been up near 75l

Reached, and breached Think my best was knocking on the door of 78 litres, but I don't trust myself urban driving in the V6 so I'm usually around 70-72 with it ;)

The secret is when you get to about 60 litres you'll start to hear a bit of splashing and the pump handle will start pushing into your hand. Go with it - slow the delivery down as it pushes more, and when you're close to brimming you should be putting in under 0.1l/sec then you'll hear a noise similar to when you're about to over-fill a bottle under a kitchen tap. The shut-off will kick in and you'll be very handing over a lot more money to the cashier ;)

[Welly]

A proper "brimmed" tank will present the fuel level right to the filler cap, rock the car and watch the fuel wobble in the filler hole THEN it's full

[Doggy]

Thanks People,
That confirms filling it right up is a slow business, (which I thought it might be).
I was wondering if the empty indicatons were misleading, but I guess not.
Good thing it's only every 600 miles or so.

[Blue406]

Personally, I think its more to do with dodgy filling pumps.

Literally every Shell pump I've used starts pumping when I squeeze the trigger as you'd expect, but are a few moments the vibration that the movement of the petrol makes stops and the noise of the petrol sloshing down the filler decreases. But the machine itself is still ticking away the price and Literage as if at full speed. Then a few moments later, usualy a few litres or £s later, the vibration kicks in again and I can hear the petrol sloshing down the filler again.

I'm convinced that the Filling stations are actualy cheating us.

[Doggy]

Well, you were all correct. Filled it to the brim, then ran it pretty low, (low fuel warning, 43 miles to go).
Got just over 70 l. in.
Morrisons, 99.9 / l. so £70 for 653 miles. Computer reckons 41.5 mpg, calculator says 42.2.
Allowing for fairly heavy foot & noticeable grin I'd say it's not too shabby

Strange feeling you've got a bargain when it still costs £70 a tankful

[Welly]

41/42 mpg is good for a 2.2

I'm getting 38.7 in my 110 over a 11 mile run to work (mostly at 65mph).

[Doggy]

I'm pleased with it. I do 30 miles each way, mostly dual carriageway each day so conditions are a bit more favourable.

[Welly]

I've just worked out that I have to haul the poor old thing upto cruising speed 12 times on my journey (and sometimes hitting 80mph ) 38 is pretty fair I suppose but I'll always see 50mpg on a nice long run somewhere.

[dmonkey82]

In theory you will get better fuel consumption by only half filling, as you are carrying less wieght around with you.

(Thats my excuse for never filling it right up anyway!)