Technical Fuel Tank Capacity

[LouiseAS]

Hi all,

I recently changed my 09 MP Pop which had done 61,000 for an 09 1.2 Lounge which has only done 19,000 . My journey used to be up and down the A3 every day doing over 70 miles a day so was more suited to a diesel. Now I mainly do 40mph on normal roads with only a 15 minute blast on the A3 if it's moving well so the diesel was needing too many oil changes for my pocket.

I love my new petrol car but have a query about fuel intake. Both the MP and Petrol have the same tank capacity (according to the handbook and main dealer) and yet when I fill up the petrol one on the low fuel warning buzz just as I did the diesel it takes about 9 litres more fuel than the diesel did.

Do the diesel and petrol have different callibrated fuel tank gauges?

 

[306maxi]

it's probably more to do with the pump you're using.

Again the tanks are the same. The handbook says you can get 35 litres in the tank but I've had 42

 

[TrevC]

Yes, and also bear in mind that car fuel level sensors and guages are not necessarily accurate, so your petrol on may be less pessimistic than the old car.

 

[LouiseAS]

Thanks, it's just very weird as I always fill until I see the fuel in the neck. The diesel gauge must have been well out then.

Everyone advised me that a petrol one would be cheaper to run so here's hoping it is.

 

[306maxi]

Thanks, it's just very weird as I always fill until I see the fuel in the neck. The diesel gauge must have been well out then.

Everyone advised me that a petrol one would be cheaper to run so here's hoping it is.

I've always filled mine till there's petrol at the top of the filler neck too, hence the 42 litre fill up! Not had a diesel 500 so not sure what they're like.

 

[babbo_umbro]

Thanks, it's just very weird as I always fill until I see the fuel in the neck. The diesel gauge must have been well out then.

Everyone advised me that a petrol one would be cheaper to run so here's hoping it is.

Depends on mileage and the type of driving you do.

Mrs b_u had a Panda MultiJet when she still worked as she did a 27 mile each-way commute to and from Exeter each day, so the higher purchase price of the MJ was justified - used to get just under 60 mpg and did 24000 miles per year. Unfortunately the diesel was written off on the edge of Dartmoor in the ice and snow just under two years ago. Replaced by a petrol 1.2 as she retired at the same time - much cheaper to buy and gives fractionally under 50 mpg doing 11000 miles per year. Diesel was saving about 400 pounds per year but would now only be about 170 pounds per year. Diesel was also slightly more costly to service and used front tyres at a high rate for such a small car.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Is the warning denoted by range? Don't forget less diesel fuel will give the same range of more petrol, hence is possibly coming on with less fuel in the tank.

Could also be that the software has been changed on later models to come on later.

 

[ahmett]

it's probably more to do with the pump you're using.

Again the tanks are the same. The handbook says you can get 35 litres in the tank but I've had 42

Yeah maxi the tank is 40 liters if you include the reserve.

 

[306maxi]

Yeah maxi the tank is 40 liters if you include the reserve.

no, fiat list their tank capacities as including the reserve

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

no, fiat list their tank capacities as including the reserve

:yeahthat:

Although the reserve capacity is always given a being between X litres and Y litres.