awbooth

2005 Mercedes Benz C240 4Matic low fuel light on, how many miles are left before really empty? We are trying to figure out how many miles we have left when the low fuel light turns on. We checked the owners manual and couldn't find anything. Anyone have an idea? Thanks

samaritrey

something like 2. something gallons it is in the manual for my 01.

ok found it
When the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the engine, or if comes on while driving, it indicates the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of approximately 2.1 US gal (8 Liters)
page 288 of the 05 manual says it next time make sure to read it cover to cover.

pcy

It's around 2 gallons.

More importantly, if at all possible, try not to run the car with that low fuel. Remember that the fuel pumps are cooled by the fuel in the tank. Less than quarter tank means the fuel pump is not submerged in the fuel... the life of fuel pump is significantly shortened if you continue to drive with fuel less than quarter of tank.

awbooth

gotta read that book better
I was unaware that the fuel pump was cooled by the fuel... interesting, better off keeping fuel in the tank than running it dry. thanks guys!

samaritrey

good work i like to keep my tank above 1/4 because you never know when you might need it.

LILBENZ230

Your advice is very, very generic and you're entirely too dramatic about it. What this very generic advice actually states is that you *might* harm your fuel pump if you *always* drive with low fuel (i.e. those people who put $5 at a time in, we all know them). If you drive your car till empty (not till it is dead and dry) and then fill it back up you will be fine.

I drive mine till range is 0 consistently. I always have and I always will. Does anyone want to post proof that below 1/4 of a tank means the pump is not submerged? Because the needle can rest at ENTIRELY empty without the tank being empty and 1/4 tank in my car is somewhere between 3 and 4 gallons. At "0" miles to E my car will hold about 15 gallons (which mean 1.4gals are still there), and by this point the needle has long rested at its lowest position. The fuel pump is also mounted at the top of the tank, not from the bottom.

We have a 16.4 gallon tank and about 15 gallons are usable. You that cut that down to 11 just enjoy pumping gas. I fill up twice a week even driving down to empty and I do not like to pump gas. I exploit the full range of my car (that's what it was designed for, after all) and so do lots of other people I know - not one of which has ever had a fuel pump problem. I cannot speak for anyone who runs their car at a constant state of near-empty, but I do know people like this and even they don't have fuel pump issues though I don't recommend that by any means.

Now if you run the tank entirely dry often (and the car dies) you will starve the fuel pump and that might possibly after numerous occasions cause you problems. These cars are NOT fragile and anyone who knows me knows that I have tested that time and time again.

Glyn M Ruck

+1

Page to the miles to empty screen in your display using the steering wheel LHS lower button set & the car will compute miles to empty at present consumption rate.

pcy

LILBENZ230, what I said is an advice/suggestion. As with any other suggestion/advice, it's your choice to follow or not. Please note that my advice starts with words "if possible". That said, I still believe it's a good idea to try to maintain at least 1/4 of tank gas at all times.

It's possible I am wrong. I am ok with that. :-) Have a good day.