[Quasimodem]

I made it home.

Yes, I was driving 50 to 60 mph since leaving work (about 60 miles from my home).

So what should I do tomorrow morning?

[GreekboyD]

Did you drive these 34 miles after the first fuel light came on or after the second time when it stays on for good? If the first, you're fine. If the second, I wouldn't chance it.

[White D]

So you drove 60 miles and didn't pass one gas station to fill up?
Why did yo not put diesel in your car on the drive home, then there would be no need to post this.

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by White D

So you drove 60 miles and didn't pass one gas station to fill up?
Why did yo not put diesel in your car on the drive home, then there would be no need to post this.

No money. In my country, most stations charge for diesel. I drove 34 miles into the reserve. I was watching the "miles remaining" counter and when it hit zero, I hit the trip odometer to see how far I was going. Which leads me to another gripe, IMHO the "miles left" should start counting in negative once you hit zero miles left so you know how far you have gone into the reserve.

Anyway, I am going to go pick up a can and put some more in before I start my car. I guess I just dont have the cahones to push my luck.

[joe_planet]

I have pumped as much as 16.5 gallons into our supposedly 16 gallon fuel tank lol
This is probably 5~10 miles after hitting the --- on the miles remaining counter
Havent had any issues. I dont know if i'd go 34 miles, you're very daring!

[Chris_506]

pee on the gas tank...depending on your diet enjoy the extra ponies.

[AzureHaze]

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

No money. In my country, most stations charge for diesel.

Huh?

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by AzureHaze

Huh?

Well, I didn't post this to discuss my finances, but I sort of get paid by commission and yesterday was my "day before payday".

Anyway, just a note to those who have to add diesel by can in California, we have some funny spring-loaded nozzles on the gas cans now, even though I got a can that said "diesel" on it. Regardless of it being a diesel can, the nozzle still doesn't fit our tank and allow the inner door to open, so I had to use the adapter which I normally use for additives or when I am at a station that only has the larger diesel pump nozzles. All is well, just thought people here should know that if you go easy on the fuel pedal you can get at least 34 miles into the reserve.

[Mark M]

Back when I read the .pdf file BMW NA released to the techs on the 335d and X5d, there was a section on the fuel tanks.

I was surprised, the fuel tank alone has over 8 different valves and sensors.

The point that is applicable here, the in-tank pump sits in a chamber within the tank. The pumps and valves make sure that chamber and pump are always full of fuel. Imagine a small tank within the large tank.

The purpose of this chamber is to always keep the in tank pump cool and covered in fuel so as to prevent fuel starvation and pump burnout.

In your case, suspect you drove your tank empty per the fuel tank gauges. However the chamber with the pump was still full allowing you to continue driving.

I don't recommend doing this. In a gasser e46 I foolishly drove the tank till empty. Less than 500 miles later the pump died on me. Lesson learned.

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by Mark M

Back when I read the .pdf file BMW NA released to the techs on the 335d and X5d, there was a section on the fuel tanks.

I was surprised, the fuel tank alone has over 8 different valves and sensors.

The point that is applicable here, the in-tank pump sits in a chamber within the tank. The pumps and valves make sure that chamber and pump are always full of fuel. Imagine a small tank within the large tank.

The purpose of this chamber is to always keep the in tank pump cool and covered in fuel so as to prevent fuel starvation and pump burnout.

In your case, suspect you drove your tank empty per the fuel tank gauges. However the chamber with the pump was still full allowing you to continue driving.

I don't recommend doing this. In a gasser e46 I foolishly drove the tank till empty. Less than 500 miles later the pump died on me. Lesson learned.

Yikes, that info makes me happier that I went off this morning and picked up 4.5 gallons of diesel and brought it back to start my car with a quarter tank. Scary thinking that we can damage the car before we are completely out of fuel (. If it truly uses the combustion engine fuel to cool components, that would be the case. A bit strange using diesel (albeit having a lower ignition point than gas) to keep components cool.