Has anyone run their Freely out of diesel? If so, how much does the tank really hold and does it affect the electronics just before it runs out?

I left ours until yesterday morning to take advantage of a Sainsbury's voucher for 10 pence per litre off. Arrived at their Truro store running on a strong smell in the tank and not much more! It seemed to go into "limp home mode" about half a mile before I got there, with very little power no matter what throttle setting I tried. No spluttering, just very low power.

Brimmed the tank and all was immediately OK again. It took 71.5 litres.

Was I really running on a dry tank or had I a safe margin left? Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

Tank capacity is 68 litres, so I guess you were running on the angels share!!
Obviously the pipe to the tank will hold some and account for the 'extra'
All that risk for supermarket fuel

In years gone by i was told not to do this as it drags all the rubbish in the bottom of the tank up is it different now ?

The book says useable capacity of the tank is 68ltrs, so there must be about a another 3-5 litres in the pipe, it's quite long.  my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

I ran mine down to limp mode and had to do a special starting procedure to get back to normal. I can't remember the procedure but it was in the manual. I don't know how much fuel either as I was in the middle of nowhere with a 20 litre jerry of diesel as backup.

thats some good going, the most i have ever put in was 67.64L about 3 years ago and Im sure that must be one of 3 times i've been into limp home mode

You have to account for diesel in the engine pipes and filler next, but 3 litres seems alot to me (and my very limited knowledge of pipe capacity in engines) are you sure the petrol stations pump isn't overcharging by under supplying fuel to readout

receive 68L pay for 71L, making a extra 4% margin on fill ups  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Pump quantity delivery is very carefully monitored, you may find one in the depths of the country with an ancient pump that could be out, but again unlikely. I have often put in more than 70ltr without limp mode, it's all a matter of patience. After the pump trips you then partially withdraw the nozzle and slowly fill the minimum you will get in is another 5ltr. Certainly worthwhile if going on a long trip and you don't want to divert off motorways to refuel  my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

I put 80 liters in the tank.

How long did that take?  my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Another question ( havnt done it yet )

The lowest I have seen on the computer is 28 miles to go until empty but how low do the miles get? Does it count all the way down to 1 mile to go? Or is there a cut off before it just goes blank? Mines a 57 plate xs auto

Cheers Freelander 57 plate XS Blue Auto

Lowest showed 6 miles before it went up to 11 miles and down to 8 miles, then I arrived at the fuel station. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

My "Range Remaining" was on 0 miles for at least the two miles prior to filling up. I was wondering if it would go to minus figures! I did fill past the first click off, trickling about another 2-3 litres after that. Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

SYFL2 wrote:

In years gone by i was told not to do this as it drags all the rubbish in the bottom of the tank up is it different now ?

With modern plastic tanks there is less rubbish. Tanks used to get full of rust particles and other stuff off the inside of the tank. That said, people have had problems when switching to bio-diesel, as it cleans out the tank and blocks up the filters. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

Technicaly you do not run out of fuel, gauge sensor unit gives usual low fuel warnings and will eventually shut down engine if ignored but still leaving fuel in system. You would just need to add fuel no bleeding reqd. Running a common rail injection system dry can and will damage pump. For most people it would be a workshop job to bleed system through and start engine if run dry.
WARNING: common rail diesels run at a very high pressure high enough to pierce metal , amputate a finger or worse!!! 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.