Low Fuel Warning Indicator

[BoostedBimmer]

At very slightly under a quarter tank my Low fuel Warning Indicator (pic of gas pump) comes on for few seconds in the dash cluster. It then disappears and only the tiny alert/or warning symbol stays on.

Is this early warning of low fuel normal?? Seems kinda premature if you ask me.

Thanks

[bahnstormer]

I believe its normal. Mine seems to come on just under a quarter with about 50 mile left.

[GT3 Tim]

Normal. Mine went on at about 1/4 tank. For my Toyota, that would be premature. However, considering 1/4 may get you 50 miles, if you are lucky, I think it comes on at the right time! lol

In reading the manual, it says when the light comes on, you have a bit overe 3 gallons remaining. I have always questioned the accuracy of "reserve amount" claims. So, when my light came on, I immediately filled it up. The car took about 13.2 gallons or so. With a 16ish gallon tank, that is about a 3 gallon reserve...so I guess oon my car, it is fairly accurate. I don't recall the exact numbers, but recall that when I filled it, and did the math, it was damn near spot on to what the manual said should be left in the tank.

[rvacha]

That's the normal behavior. By only showing the icon for a few seconds it frees up the display to display other stuff for a while. I just completed a really long cross country trip in my M3 and after watching the fuel warnings, here's how they work:

1. At just under 1/4 tank the icon stays on for a few seconds, the car chimes, then the icon disappears. The check control icon (! triangle) stays illuminated. This threshold is gas GALLONS/liter remaining based. Most on this board have reported it coming on at roughly 60-65 miles to empty but it is NOT mileage based. Once after driving all day at high altitude and then falling out of the Bitterroot Mountains (great drive!) I saw this warning at 104 miles!
2. At 31 miles the fuel icon illuminates and chimes, then disappears. The check control icon stays illuminated. This threshold is MILEAGE based and always occurs at 31 miles
3. At 17 miles (or is it 15? - can't remember for sure) the fuel icon again illuminates and chimes, but this time it remains on forever. This threshold is MILEAGE based. Check control icon is also lit of course

[adamr]

my car is always on the low fuel warning ... lol!!!!

[Big Windy]

most report that it is premature...but that is how it is programmed.

[!Xoible]

normal. gives u 60 miles which is around 4 gallons. then yells at you more at 30, then kicks you out of the car at 10, and runs you over at 3 before it runs out

[Herms]

Originally Posted by BoostedBimmer

At very slightly under a quarter tank my Low fuel Warning Indicator (pic of gas pump) comes on for few seconds in the dash cluster. It then disappears and only the tiny alert/or warning symbol stays on.

Is this early warning of low fuel normal?? Seems kinda premature if you ask me.

Thanks

Mine does the same. I laughed the first time at what a gas guzzler this thing is that it starts warning you at a quarter tank (usually it's when there's about 50-55 miles to empty). Interestingly, the 335's warning doesn't come on until there's 30 miles or so to go. I'd imagine this is due to the fact that with the M, 50 miles could easily become only 25 miles if you start driving hard for even a brief time or if you switch the street. Also, because the range is pretty limited on the car, perhaps BMW thought it wise to warn people well in advance so they don't go thinking they have plenty with a quarter tank and keep skipping gas stations until it's too late.

[Davinhci]

Originally Posted by bahnstormer

I believe its normal. Mine seems to come on just under a quarter with about 50 mile left.

Normal, mine comes on about 50 miles left also