W204 (and others) Reserve Tank message on low fuel

[oxtailsoup]

:lol:Yesterday I took my C200 on its first long journey (Chester to Glasgow and back) and coming home I was keeping a beady eye on the xxx miles to empty reading on the computer. It was looking like it was going to be touch and go whether I would need to fill up before getting home but the computer was telling me I'd should make it back ok.

Then the computer switched to the reserve tank warning about 30 miles from home. Fair enough. But I am really surprised and confused as to why it stopped giving me the mileage remaining reading. So I had no idea how much further I could drive.

Not wanting to risk it I obviously gave up and filled up at the next petrol station. I suppose this is what Merceces intend but I just felt it was a pain in the ar*e as it was more than likely I had enough to get home, sit in front of the roaring fire, pour a glass of wine and fill the car up the next day! After a long drive you just want to get home and unwind :lol:

 

[Alex M Grieve]

:lol:Yesterday I took my C200 on its first long journey (Chester to Glasgow and back) and coming home I was keeping a beady eye on the xxx miles to empty reading on the computer. It was looking like it was going to be touch and go whether I would need to fill up before getting home but the computer was telling me I'd should make it back ok.

Then the computer switched to the reserve tank warning about 30 miles from home. Fair enough. But I am really surprised and confused as to why it stopped giving me the mileage remaining reading. So I had no idea how much further I could drive.

Not wanting to risk it I obviously gave up and filled up at the next petrol station. I suppose this is what Merceces intend but I just felt it was a pain in the ar*e as it was more than likely I had enough to get home, sit in front of the roaring fire, pour a glass of wine and fill the car up the next day! After a long drive you just want to get home and unwind :lol:

I have had several MB models. I think the reserve tank warning comes on when you have about 100 kms (60 mls) left at cruising speed - so you almost certainly would have made it.

If you top your tank up from the point at which the light comes on, then subtract the volume it took to top up from the tank capacity, that is how much fuel you had in your reserve. Knowing your mpg, that enables yo to calculate how far you might go on the reserve - useful to know for next time.

 

[turbopete]

cant speak for newer models but the 'reserve tank' (when the low fuel warning light comes on) in the 202 and 210 are around 7 litres.

 

[Top Cat]

If you top your tank up from the point at which the light comes on, then subtract the volume it took to top up from the tank capacity, that is how much fuel you had in your reserve. Knowing your mpg, that enables yo to calculate how far you might go on the reserve - useful to know for next time.

Something I do with every new car I buy, so that I know for sure how low I can go and how far I *could* push it, should I have to.

Incidentally, on my 202, the moment the light comes on I can squeeze 52 litres in which means I have 10 litres left - approximately 2 gallons will take me 60 miles or so my car, even around town.

 

[william28ho]

hi - normally, the reserve amount would give the motorist around the 50 miles more.

but would it be safer, just to fill up, before the car actually ran out of fuel?

as the op is driving on the motorway, the fast moving traffic and huge lorries (thundering along the motorway) would definitely scare most stranded motorist being struck on the side (hard shoulder) of the motorway.

and because it is the winter's time, where it can get dark very early. would the op prefer to walk to the nearest petrol station with the intention of buying a can of fuel and then walk back to his car? maybe not.

call the rescue service. i am sure they charge a bit more for putting petrol into their member's car.

why risk being stranded on the motorway?

 

[rf065]

According to Mercedes, the CLK W209 has a 62 litre tank, of which 8l is reserve.
The warning light comes on though when there are still 3 bars on the fuel guage, too soon if you ask me.

Russ

 

[oxtailsoup]

The point I was trying to make is why do they remove the information about how many miles to empty just because the Reserve Tank warning comes on.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

The point I was trying to make is why do they remove the information about how many miles to empty just because the Reserve Tank warning comes on.

I think if you wait a bit once that warning comes on, you can toggle to get the distance to empty.

 

[oxtailsoup]

I think if you wait a bit once that warning comes on, you can toggle to get the distance to empty.

Nope - I couldn't seem to get this info at all despite toggling until I reached a sweat and my cheeks were glowing red :Oops: . But I have been told I'm not very good at toggling :lol:

 

[Benz17]

On my 07 plate w211, the reserve fuel light came on, but it still was showing how many miles till empty.
I understand that the eclass has 8 litres reserve fuel capacity, I also agree that the light comes on too early, compared to my previous Volvo v70.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Maybe they just reckon once you have to walk a mile or two that you wont question their reserve ever again...

 

[Boogs]

I think if you wait a bit once that warning comes on, you can toggle to get the distance to empty.

On my W204 you cannot change the speedo display at all from the reserve fuel warning, but this may be because the radio etc can all be seen through the COMAND screen.

I agree with the OP it seemed to resort to just reading reserve fuel very early, in my case I was cruising and had something close to 100 miles left in the DTE when it switched over.

I suspect that MB don't want claims for repressurising the fuel systems if cars run out of fuel whilst still showing fuel available, but there is being on the safe side and being over cautious.

 

[Captain Chris]

Interesting.... In order not to have an extra fuel stop I had taken the step of running the E280 I had previously way past the reserve light on my journeys across Europe. Ok so I knew all of the fuel stops so was never worried about running out.
With the E430 I have now, the reserve light seems to come on very early and bearing in mind I carry a small can of fuel 'just in case' I ran it for an additional 60 miles after the light came on and still only managed to put 72 litres in it when I eventually stopped for fuel. That means I still had almost 2 gallons in the tank!? Obviously Mercedes are being a little over cautious in my opinion, but then again I guess it is better than running out!
I guess it is all about getting to know your car and getting a feel for how far you can go on reserve. Also, unless you are on long distance trips like I do, it would not make sense to run the car too low anyway!?

 

[st4]

I found it normally comes on with 1/8th tank more or less.

Which is as low as I want to run it, to brim it from 0 litres to 80 would cost over £100. I am just to tight to contemplate that, and I do not imagine its good for the car to run so low

 

[keith100]

The point I was trying to make is why do they remove the information about how many miles to empty just because the Reserve Tank warning comes on.

On my 204, if I press "OK", when the "reserve fuel" warning comes on, the normal screen comes up, and I can then toggle through to "km remaining". I've been told its a pretty inaccurate estimate however.

HTH

 

[oxtailsoup]

Great - I'll give that a try next time it comes on. Thanks.

 

[biglips]

I my car I start looking out for the next filling station as soon as I leave the forecourt! Fuel economy not a strong point....

 

[Top Cat]

I my car I start looking out for the next filling station as soon as I leave the forecourt! Fuel economy not a strong point....

My old 190E was the same. What engine is yours?

 

[biglips]

3.6l straight six