Running on a fumes.
Author
Discussion

poptosis

Original Poster:

850 posts

270 months

Wednesday 16th June 2004
quotequote all
Is there any big issue running out of fuel with the K series. I nearly did the other day, had a flutter but luckly was right next to a BP. "Refill" kicks in at two thirds empty which is quite a lot so I just need my mind putting at rest.

Cheers fellas,

paulwakinshaw

436 posts

264 months

Thursday 17th June 2004
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ref to some other posts, the "refill" indication, especially on S1 models was quite variable from car to car. It should read refill when there is only 10 litres remaining, but in a recent test both myself and my friend did a quick check

We had just gone into the "refill" stage so we both filled up - I managed to get an extra 3 litres of fuel in the tank - hence my reading was probably a little out of sync.

best bet is to refill the tank before you get to the refill stage.

happy to help

Wako

S Works

10,166 posts

274 months

Thursday 17th June 2004
quotequote all
Mine seems to announce its need for more juice at around 12L. Then it disappears and reverts back from REFILL to reading the L volume. Then we drop down thru 11L and 10L and it seems to flick back on to REFILL at 10L. Reverts back to L at 9L which is where I normally give it what it wants... A DAMN GOOD THRAP TO THE PETROL STATION!

stoker

148 posts

281 months

Thursday 17th June 2004
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Mine flashes REFILL as soon as it's below 5L. I dice with death for a couple of days before refilling. The ribbing I'd get from passing motorists at a stranded Elise would not be amusing!

The last time I filled up is the lowest I've ever been. I think the S2 has a 36L tank, and I filled up with 36.2 Litres, so I guess it was quite low!

Stoker.

DanH

12,287 posts

284 months

Thursday 17th June 2004
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Both Elises have 40 litre tanks I believe, but not sure all of it can be accessed...

chris_w

2,568 posts

283 months

Thursday 17th June 2004
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The fuel pick up seems very sensitive to road cambers which might influence the reading. Once I was lazy and parked her up on refill only to find she wouldn't start the next morning. Noticed that the road was heavily cambered so pushed her out into the road (ah, the beauty of a light car!) and bob's your uncle, started first time.

scuffham

20,887 posts

298 months

Monday 21st June 2004
quotequote all
the fuel pump is on the far left hand side of the tank, so if it's on a slope for some time, it can be a problem.

from bone dry, the tank is 41L to the filler neck, but it's near impossible to actually empty it in normal driving.

bogie

16,927 posts

296 months

Monday 21st June 2004
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Simon

is the S2 definately 40L too?...Ive never let it go longer than taking 34L to fill...would be nice to know I have another gallon left in there !

thub

1,359 posts

308 months

Monday 21st June 2004
quotequote all
I have run out and had no problems re-starting.

Moral: if you've re-set the tripmeter for any reason don't ignore the 'refill' signal!

zebedee

4,593 posts

302 months

Monday 21st June 2004
quotequote all
Ran out of petrol on the M5 yesterday (thanks for the wave chappy in silver Elise - you could have given me some petrol!).

I reckon from refill at 70-80 mph you have about 50 miles until empty - I had thought it would be about 75 miles but I can't remember why I thought that now! Also don't expect any extra warning after 'refill' apart from the engine coughing once about 2 seconds before cutting completely that is all I got. And trust me to run out right as the hard shoulder came to an end, forcing a swift pull in and anchors on moment! Thank goodness for no power steering or servoed brakes (and the fact most drivers aren't as stupid as me (or as pig-headed about paying motorway service station prices for fuel!)

Once re-filled it started on the button and we were on our way.