Hi - I only seem to get about 250 miles to a full tank of petrol. It’s not bad mpg I’m getting, as I get pretty near the stated figures. It also goes from 1/4 full to empty in about 3 seconds. Okay I exagerate, but I get 100 miles at 3/4, 175 miles at 1/2, 225 miles at 1/4 full then bang…empty at 250, fuel light on etc. This means that any long drive out is a right pain. I also know that one day I am going to get caught out.
In the old days I used to carry a can of petrol in the recommended receptacle for just those emergencies. Do these still exist nowadays or is it regarded as an absolute no no. i want to do something as the stupid tank is the worst of any car I’ve ever had (I’ve had quite a few) and it’s one of the few things about the 5 that I really don’t like.
Simply, yup you can carry a can of petrol…Although my mk2.5 Euphonic gets closer to 300miles regularly to a tank so maybe worth checking tyres, brakes all that gear
I think you will find most 5’s petrol readings are just like yours. Slow at the top and then drops quickly from half full reading.
But I believe when the warning light comes on you still have quite a bit of fuel. Don’t quote me but I think it’s around 6 litres.
Someone on here will correct me if I’m wrong. Personally, I would not carry spare petrol as the warning light gives you plent of miles to find a petrol station.
But once you are aware of how the gauge works just act accordingly. I get 300 miles per tank so 250 does sound a bit low. Depends on your driving style.
Seems you are averaging around 25/26mpg which for mixed driving is about right for mixed urban. We don’t know what kind of driving you do or your “style”. As for the odd tank measurments, both our 02 Sport, same as yours really, and my Mk1 do the same. They both also take yonks to read after a fill up. In the Sport, the mid reading seems to stay for days then drop like a stone.
Our Sport, in SWMBO’s 6 mile round trip school jaunt, averages around 18mpg for the week but we easily get 33 + out of town.
The Mk1 1800 Auto…well I can get 16 mpg or less if I’m in the mood…but about 34 mpg motorway cruising. Probably more with the excellent new engine fitted recently.
It’s quite hard to get really good MPG out a 5. Inherently, they are greedy wee shytes. It is very easy to get the same MPG as an RR Phantom!
Yes, you can take a 5 litre fuel can…or two. At least you got a fuel light. Personally I’ve never needed one nor do I expect to!
I’m curious as to where you get to over 250 miles and not pass a fuel station.
Hi Shrek, you should be able to find out the actual capacity of your tank from the manual etc. When you next get the low fuel warning light appear take the opportunity to fill up and take a note of how many litres went in, You can then work out how many litres are actually left in the tank when the light had appeared. Might give you some peace of mind if you find out there is a fair amount still in there.
Was discussing the very same subject on another forum about the new Skoda I bought last year. Takes 70-80 miles for the gauge to actually move from full, then after the halfway mark drops like a stone. Not a very big tank either 35ltr, well it is a city car and get over 50mpg on a good day.
My Mk2 I reckon I get around 25-30mpg, better on a longer run. And yes the fuel seems to just disappear after the 1/4 full mark.
Sounds about normal to me. I get about 400 km (about 250 miles) out of my Mk1 round town and just about 500 km if on a motorway run. The full to three quarters lasting longer than quarter to empty seems normal as well. You can always carry a gallon in the boot for emergencies I guess, but there are plenty of petrol stations open at all times now, which was not the case many moons ago so filling up is not really a big problem (other than paying for it that is).
No low fuel light on the mk1, Drops quick from full to 3/4 then slow down to a 1/4 then a bit hit and miss if pushing on, but hangs on for ever if you nanny it. 28 to 32 mpg mixed roads 38 to 42 on long motorway type runs, but i like the twisty slow fun way every time. Stow a can for your peace of mind if your going somewhere that you might not be able to get petrol in 20 or 30 miles, the plastic 5 litre jobs are safe and fit for purpose if you dont leave them rolling around the boot
One day I decided to run her dry just to see how low that gauge will go before it cuts out. So I put a can in the boot and did it. Beleive me at E you still have plenty left in. I no longer panic when empty.
Many thanks for the replies. Just for info, I normally get about 28mpg around town; 15 mile drive to work on busy city roads at 30mph but the twisties over the moors on the way back!!! My driving style is a mix of driving miss daisy and every gear to just less than redline, it all depends. The last time the light was on it took about 40 litres so there may be 8 left, about 50 miles. It’s rarely that far to a petrol station although trips around Scotland can be tricky. It’s just annoying having to top up so regularly. I was once advised to drive it till it stops then top up but don’t really want to do that. I probably won’t carry a can, but I can see me pushing it one day cos I’m lazy and regretting it.
Personally I’ve never needed one nor do I expect to!
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