I am used to cars that have 2 or 3 gallons of fuel left when the gauge shows empty. This seems to be normal practice and does at least minimise the risk of running out of fuel as there is nearly always enough to get to a PFS even in remote rural areas.

Today, I had to go on a 100+ mile trip in my new SD4 (now covered 2k miles) and set off with 1/4 full showing on the gauge. I was intending to fill up at a 'cheap' PFS at my destination. A few miles after leaving home I happened to be scrolling through the OBC and noticed the range (miles left in tank) was indicated as about 70 and the fuel gauge was still showing almost 1/4 full. I decided not to risk it and filled up at the next PFS.

I think I have previously read a post about fuel gauges sticking at 1/4 full. Could this be the case or is it just an irritating feature of the FL2.

Not sure about that but I once got down to 0 miles showing on the computer and it went into low power mode. I think that means the engine will cut out in about 2 miles to stop the tank running dry. I just made it to the filling station.

The fuel gauge was so far past empty it nearly snapped off  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Depends when you last set the trip. If you've just reset it and floored the pedal, the range will drop dramatically then slowly creep back up. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Pegleg wrote:

Depends when you last set the trip. If you've just reset it and floored the pedal, the range will drop dramatically then slowly creep back up.

I arrived on Isle of Mull with a full tank, drove 200 miles on single track roads mostly at night. I was driving as fast as conditions allowed so not very ecconomical.
Came off ferry on mainland and obc showed 208 miles left to travel, 50 miles further on it showed 242 miles although the gauge had dropped slightly.
This is correct because the comuter displays according to fuel consumption at the time. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Noticed the same as druand myself.
A gentle right foot does increase the range. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

druand wrote:

I arrived on Isle of Mull with a full tank, drove 200 miles on single track roads mostly at night. I was driving as fast as conditions allowed so not very ecconomical.
Came off ferry on mainland and obc showed 208 miles left to travel, 50 miles further on it showed 242 miles although the gauge had dropped slightly.
This is correct because the comuter displays according to fuel consumption at the time.

i found on mine that it does stay on a 1/4 full for a while but when it drops just past it the res light comes on at 50 mile range left,dont run the fuel past zero on the display goes into limp mode as i found out on this loan car  rainy-city
xs

bigalf1961 wrote:

i found on mine that it does stay on a 1/4 full for a while but when it drops just past it the res light comes on at 50 mile range left,dont run the fuel past zero on the display goes into limp mode as i found out on this loan car

I've noticed previously that, whilst overall the gauge isn't bad, when it's into the last quarter tank it (and the electronic 'miles range left') seem to drop much faster than should be the case. Brian

MY11 FL2 SD4 GS
Extras to same spec as XS apart from the Satnav, plus Xenons.
Ipenema Sand, Ebony.

i get about 200 miles from the top half of the tank, and about 100 miles from the bottom half

I think the bottom half is smaller than the top










Just how i like my women  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

GeorgeG

I have a MY2011 TD4 and it has been the same for me. It's just been in for it's first annual service at 6,000 miles and I mentioned this to the dealer. When I went to collect it they said that they had done a software update which should have cured the misreading fuel gauge. I haven't used it since taking it home so don't know if this has been resolved or not.

Maybe worth mentioning it to your dealer the next time you are there. Andyfr

andyfr wrote:

GeorgeG

I have a MY2011 TD4 and it has been the same for me. It's just been in for it's first annual service at 6,000 miles and I mentioned this to the dealer. When I went to collect it they said that they had done a software update which should have cured the misreading fuel gauge. I haven't used it since taking it home so don't know if this has been resolved or not.

Maybe worth mentioning it to your dealer the next time you are there.

Andy, let us know if software update makes any difference. My experience of software updates (particularly with Volvo) is that it is like the doctor's friend - the virus - in that it is what they fall back on when they don't really know what is causing a problem.

I certainly will George.  Andyfr