My 2004 S is a remarkable and flawless car-- except for one thing. When the gas gauge says the tank is completely empty, I can only pump about 10.5 gallons into the car. As I read the owner's manual, that means I still have three gallons left! I've heard of having a bit in reserve but not more than 20 percent of capacity!

Forgive me if this is a well worn topic, but is this a common problem? In any case, isn't this something that should be repaired?


Thanks,

Rick

 

this is a common problem...

 

welcome to fuel light warning idiots....you could probably still drive 60 miles on the highway or freeway when the warning light goes on!!!

 

Glad to see this thread, I have had my MY04 S for 3 weeks now and have been trying to remind myself to ask about this. Yesterday I had three ticks left in the tank (I was on the highway not to close to a gas station). In less than 20 miles I was on empty (light on, no ticks on the gauge). I went another 15 miles or so on empty and was only able to put 10.8 Gallons in. Glad to here this is a common thing. So is the consensus that you can get 40 - 60 more miles once the light comes on. Has anyone tested this (on purpose or on Accident).

 

Combine that with the fact that the last three bars on the '04 gas gage go down in about a five mile span and it really makes you shake your head

ron

 

The 3 gallon reserve is just par for the course. Don't want people stranded on those long highway stretches between gas stations

One thing to look out for though, is false high fuel indications because of sloshing gas in hard turns. I get this lapping on the track. The tank would show no drop in fuel just after a session, but sit in the pits for while and all of a sudden 1/4-1/2 a tank "dissapears". I suppose this could happen in very agressive and twisty canyon carving too.

 

I can also put about 10-10.5 gallons into the car after the last bar goes away. As long as it's consistent from tank to tank, which it is, it's not a problem.

BTW, the gas warning light on my Cayenne S goes on when the computer says I have 60 miles to go. Even after the 60 goes to 0, I can only put 22-23 gallons. The manual says the tank size is a whopping 26 gallons with 3-4 gallons of emergency reserve! On my 996, I can only put 13-14 gallons in after the computer says zero. The tank size is ~16-17.

 

seinfeld

 

Wierd.
I filled up my MY00 a couple of nights ago when I was down to two bars left and I was able to put ~10.1 gallons in it.