Hi all,
This refers to my oz delivered 1997 xk8 coupe (112,000km)
I was on a longer drive yesterday watching the fuel gauge and the range and fuel used function of the trip computer.
As the fuel gauge lowered towards empty, the range reduced. The fuel used function however indicated it had only used 66 lt. I believe the actual capacity is about 80 lt. The low fuel light illuminated and available rang read zero so I promptly diverted to the nearest petrol station.
To my surprise the car took exactly the 66 lt of fuel indicated as used by the trip meter and the gauge returned to the full position and range returned to about 750 km.
So, the question is, where is the extra fuel. If the car knows it has only used 66 lt and the capacity of the tank is 80 lt why does it give me a range of zero and a low fuel light.
Am I not resetting the trip meter correctly? I simply push the 00 button on 'A' function on the reset buttons.
Any help greatly appreciated
Al

 

Many cars have a reserve built into the fuel gauge and the management system. I believe it helps those who push the limits. My own '99 XK8 has about two US gallons left in the tank when it hits zero on the gauge which translates to about 7.5 litres. With 14 litres left in your tank I'd suspect your fuel sender is out of whack. It probably isn't a big deal as long as you know you've how much is in reserve. I'd personally live with it as the error is on the safe side.

 

Same here. My '96 XJR spec sheet says it has a 23.5 gal tank (I believe?). It wants to tell me I'm out of gas after about 19 gallons. The computer is reading the spent gas correctly, as I will pump exactly into it what it says it's used between fill-ups.


So, a built in reserve has to be the only answer - unless the tank really ISN'T that big.

 

It's a 23.1 gal tank (supposedly)

 

I was very relieved to find how far you can go on "empty" (Range = 0) in an XK8 one cold, wet night in Yorkshire (UK) where open service stations are a rarity after 10:00pm.

Don't know what the absolute limit is but I covered 22 miles on "empty".

I understand the fuel pump runs hot on very low fuel levels so it's not good practice to regularly maintain a low level in the tank.

Graham

 

Wo that would have been close ggg.

The tank is 70l from full to when it says (range 0) then there is 5l un-accounted for.

I dont know if its a good idea knowing that or not.