Fuel Tank Capacity
- Thread starter dtmfan
- Start date
The67beast
Veteran Member
With 50 miles left.
Fixmy59bug
Veteran Member
Sorry Beast.
That is wrong.
Miles remaining can fluctuate depending on how light or heavy your foot is.
The low fuel light comes on when there is approx 1.9 gallons remaining. Reserve capacity is listed in the owners manual.
If you only get 50 miles on that 1.9 gallons you are doing something wrong.
That is wrong.
Miles remaining can fluctuate depending on how light or heavy your foot is.
The low fuel light comes on when there is approx 1.9 gallons remaining. Reserve capacity is listed in the owners manual.
If you only get 50 miles on that 1.9 gallons you are doing something wrong.
DuvalSt
Active member
We were living dangerously as the car (Sebring Vert) we traded in had a malfunctioning fuel gauge. It ran out indicating a quarter of a tank and no low fuel light came on. As for the new Jetta the light came on when it was down to the last two boxes below the quarter tank mark if you have a digital display. Also on the digital display we keep ours set on outside temperature, but when the low fuel warning came on the display changed to showing a fuel pump and how many miles to empty. We refilled with it showing 20 miles left and it took 13.77 gallons. That was too close and we will not come that close again as the fuel may not make to the pick up during hard braking or cornering. If you are low on fuel don't even consider hard acceleration.
BleachedBora
Vendor , w/Business number
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2003
- Location
- Gresham, Oregon
- TDI
- '81 DMC-12, '15 GL350 CDI 275 hp/448 tq - '81 Caddy CJAA, '05 E320 CDI 250hp/450 tq, '23 ID4 AWD Pro S Plus
Put 17.26 in the Jetta Wagon a couple weeks ago. Light came on less than 30 miles prior to that. Every car is different, even the 1.9 gallons/7L is not a sure thing.
Bottom line? Get it fueled soon. You have no reason to run these cars out.
-BB
Bottom line? Get it fueled soon. You have no reason to run these cars out.
-BB
Thanks for the responses so far. I dont own a tdi yet, just trying to estimate my fuel costs, I'm more interested in how much the tank capacity is at when the light comes on vs. what the mileage computer says . (ie how many gallons do most see when they refill the tank?)
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Mundgyver
Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Location
- Sherwood, Oregon
- TDI
- 2011 Jetta TDI Sedan, 2001 Dodge 6 speed Cummins 5.9 L
Just did my first tank of fuel. Never saw a low fuel warning light and the miles remaining indicated 40 left. This was the first tank of fuel and was the dealers delivery fill. Pulled into the Chevron here in Sherwood Oregon and put in 12.477 gallons when the nozzle popped. I figure this is where the dealer stopped. I had 439 miles on the car, all of it in town, stop and go with a couple of short trips of 30 miles in total on hw 217 and I-5. Mileage reading for this would be 35.184. Is is noted that I then filled the tank to the very lip where no more would go in and the total fill came to 13.546 gallons which is 1.069 gallons more. If I use this number to figure mileage on then it is 32.408 mpg. I think the 35.185 is the more acurate number in this case and am very pleased with this number for stop and go considering the engine is not broke in yet. Looking forward to doing a cross country to Idaho this next weekend with most of it freeway and then some mountian roads and passes. I expect to see something over 40+ mpg 
When the low light in my Dodge Cummins come on I know that I have 9 gallons of fuel left So this new Jetta will take some getting use to, but not much
When the low light in my Dodge Cummins come on I know that I have 9 gallons of fuel left So this new Jetta will take some getting use to, but not much The67beast
Veteran Member
thanks for the correction, both times my warning light came on, my miles remaining were at 50 miles exactly and yes, I understand it fluctuates however both times @ exactly 50 ???
Anyway, I stand corrected.
Highline Driver
Veteran Member
I just fill it up to when the pump shuts off. I know that some people top up but I thought I heard or read somewhere that it wasn't a good idea. I think the main thing is that you do the same thing each time.
Savageman69
Top Post Dawg
ive been filling to the brim for 4 years in my tdis with never an issue
Highline Driver
Veteran Member
I was curious so I did a bit of searching and there are lots of comments about effects on vapor recovery systems, expansion of the fuel and stuff like that. Not sure that it would apply to diesel fuel.
deucelee
Veteran Member
all of my tanks so far (all 4 of them) have been right to the point when the light came on...it takes 13 gallons to top up so my reserve is 1.5 gallons...so far no problems.
I don't think I will ever go to the brink. especially in the winter, I think I'll play it a tad safer and go at a 1/4 left at most.
I don't think I will ever go to the brink. especially in the winter, I think I'll play it a tad safer and go at a 1/4 left at most.
740GLE
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2009
- Location
- NH
- TDI
- 2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
good thing there is no vapor recovery system on the newer CR diesels, older ones yes (but they didn't cause a MIL if you did fill to the brim) Fill it till you see fuel, good to go.
When I read the manual and it said 14.5 capacity and 2 reserve to me that means a total of 16.5 for the whole fuel tank. I did see one user who actually fueled it more than the 14.5 gallons. Any thoughts on this anyone?
Savageman69
Top Post Dawg
Most ive put in was 14.9 gallons and any more then that and the car will run out of fuel...i drove on the fuel light for more then normal and 0 miles remaining was up for a good 20 miles.
Fixmy59bug
Veteran Member
I'm sorry to say, but you are figuring that incorrectly.
The tank capacity is 14.5 gallons, but the reserve capacity is included in that figure, So you actually have 12.5 main plus 2 reserve.
The reason people are able to squeeze in more than 14.5 is because the official capacity does not include any amount that is outside the main tank body.
Meaning all the fuel that is squeezed into the filler neck, or the vent body.
Fair enough, I find it strange that its called reserve tho, to me when you have a reserve you have to switch it to reserve, like on large trucks or motorcycles.
Mundgyver
Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Location
- Sherwood, Oregon
- TDI
- 2011 Jetta TDI Sedan, 2001 Dodge 6 speed Cummins 5.9 L
Normally I just fill up to the click point but when I want to see what I am getting for mileage I will fill to the lip everytime so I can get an accurate volume. I will fill it up Friday morning to the lip again just before I pull out on my trip to Idaho and see what the mileage is and then again when I get to my destination to see how we did. Should be a fun trip as there are lots of places to do "Hyper-Mile" style driving in the 477 miles to McCall.
DuvalSt
Active member
Also early Beetles and Ghias as they had no fuel gauge. I guess some did have a wooden stick you could put in the tank like a dip stick.
Savageman69
Top Post Dawg
i say bring back the wooden stick...screw this digital gauge crap lol
Fixmy59bug
Veteran Member
Psshhh..
Please, on my 59, you drive it till it sputters, then kick the little lever on the front firewall to flip the fuel tank tap into reserve. If you're good, you can do it and not lose any speed while driving.
If you forget to flip it back when you refuel, you are screwed the next time it sputters
rotts4u
Veteran Member
My first full tank ran out today and the light came on with 45 miles showing. I drove a few more miles and put 13.545 gallons in the 14.7 tank and I filled it until there was fuel in the neck so I know now that about 1.2 is left at the light. The gauge was showing one led bar UNDER 1/4 tank.
rotarykid
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2003
- TDI
- 1997 Passat TDI White,99.5 Blue Jetta TDI
Put 15.357 in a 04 Jetta TDI-PD last weekend. I have put as much as 15.9 and it was still driving around in an A4 TDI and A5 body Jetta TDI-PD, 06 model year. And it's around, just under 2 US gal ( 7 litres ) when the light comes on usually on average.
Got around 40 mpgs for the tank so it had about ~70 miles left safely when the light came on Sunday before the fill. Drove about 30 miles @ 72-75 before the fill after the light came on before stopping in Bennett CO to fill up. Paid $3.729......So I had around 40 miles left before it would have quit.
Got around 40 mpgs for the tank so it had about ~70 miles left safely when the light came on Sunday before the fill. Drove about 30 miles @ 72-75 before the fill after the light came on before stopping in Bennett CO to fill up. Paid $3.729......So I had around 40 miles left before it would have quit.
Derrel H Green
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2002
- Location
- Murrieta, California
- TDI
- An '05 MBZ E-320 CDI (W-211) replaced the '10 TDI JSW
Always Fill it to the Same Level
One can never be sure what the 'lot boy' did when he filled it up.
I know, because the dealer I got mine from had to dealer trade to get my car and I went with
the salesman and filled mine up myself, so I know it was clearly filled right up to the brim.
One can not always depend on the 'miles remaining' figure as that is obtained
by a few miles before and figured by the speeds you have been driving.
BTW, it will run on even after there are 0 miles remaining. How far, I do not know!
I have put almost sixteen gallons in my JSW without it running out, but I only
did that one time, because I do not think that is good for the pump in the tank.
Good luck on your trip. Hold your speeds down, and I think that you will indeed be surprised.
BTW, you've never said which tranny you have?
D
Just did my first tank of fuel. Never saw a low fuel warning light and the miles remaining indicated 40 left. This was the first tank of fuel and was the dealers delivery fill. Pulled into the Chevron here in Sherwood Oregon and put in 12.477 gallons when the nozzle popped. I figure this is where the dealer stopped. I had 439 miles on the car, all of it in town, stop and go with a couple of short trips of 30 miles in total on hw 217 and I-5. Mileage reading for this would be 35.184. Is is noted that I then filled the tank to the very lip where no more would go in and the total fill came to 13.546 gallons which is 1.069 gallons more. If I use this number to figure mileage on then it is 32.408 mpg. I think the 35.185 is the more acurate number in this case and am very pleased with this number for stop and go considering the engine is not broke in yet. Looking forward to doing a cross country to Idaho this next weekend with most of it freeway and then some mountian roads and passes. I expect to see something over 40+ mpg
So this new Jetta will take some getting use to, but not much
One can never be sure what the 'lot boy' did when he filled it up.
I know, because the dealer I got mine from had to dealer trade to get my car and I went with
the salesman and filled mine up myself, so I know it was clearly filled right up to the brim.
One can not always depend on the 'miles remaining' figure as that is obtained
by a few miles before and figured by the speeds you have been driving.
BTW, it will run on even after there are 0 miles remaining. How far, I do not know!
I have put almost sixteen gallons in my JSW without it running out, but I only
did that one time, because I do not think that is good for the pump in the tank.
Good luck on your trip. Hold your speeds down, and I think that you will indeed be surprised.
BTW, you've never said which tranny you have?
D
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TDI-Photog
Veteran Member
Exactly--consistency will help with accuracy. Use the same pump if you can--I realize this isn't possible on a road trip...
TDI-Photog
Veteran Member
Yeah. In my previous car, when Distance To Empty said zero miles, I still had like 4 gallons in the tank (it was a 20 gallon tank).
BTW, it will run on even after there are 0 miles remaining. How far, I do not know!
Surrylic
Well-known member
You're correct in one sense at least! When getting average mileage, like what i get 90% of the time, it dings low fuel exactly at fifty everytime. Thats just how its set up, youre right there... I guess the changes being when Im getting great mileage Im told I have low fuel with 80 miles left, and when Im doing poorly it comes on at 30. Looks like you must get similar mileage each time?
MyAvocation
Top Post Dawg
Consider that the low fuel warning will not trigger at the same point every time. Example: driving on a flat, straight & smooth highway vs. Hilly & curvy.
Bottom line is we won't know until someone runs this new model dry. I plan to carry 1 gallon of D2 in the 2012 Passat then drive 'til she coughs to see how much over 18.5 gal it'll take.
Back in July I ran the MKV down to 15.936 without a single cough.
Bottom line is we won't know until someone runs this new model dry. I plan to carry 1 gallon of D2 in the 2012 Passat then drive 'til she coughs to see how much over 18.5 gal it'll take.
Back in July I ran the MKV down to 15.936 without a single cough.
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mo_focus
Veteran Member
15.32 is the most I have. Put in. This was when I had an issue w the fuel filter seal and car ran out of fuel. So when I went to fill up it totaled to 58 liters or 15.32!
This amount is for the whole system including the fuel filter and the whole system, not just the tank!
This amount is for the whole system including the fuel filter and the whole system, not just the tank!