cablvr

OK - I think this counts as a huge phuc up. I rolled into a filling station this afternoon (with the temp @ 103D on the dash) never noticing the tank gasping for energy. In fact, the engine coughed as I made it to the pump.

The poor thing took on 27.937 gallons for just under $136. Not the way to figure out a vehicle's fuel capacity - now the check engine light won't go out.

vinceching

don't both ml/gl have a 25 gal tank?

JimBarnhart

Sounds like we have a new game to play. Who can get a gasoline pump reading with the highest number of gallons on their GL? You all go first.

From my 2007 GL450 owners manual it says:

Fuel Tank
26.4 US gal (100.0 l) including a reserve of approx. 3.4 US gal (13.0 l)

That would seem to indicate you could have to put as much as 29.8 gallons in the GL

Stumblefoot

In the last thread, I asked GL Fahrer about that and I don't think he ever responded. The way I understand it, the 3.4 gallon reserve is a part of the total 26.4 gallon capacity. So, when your reserve fuel symbol lights up in the dash, you should have about 60 miles left, or 3.4 gallons.

I would still like Fahrer to chime in about this subject though.

scottybdiving

I was under the impression that the 3.4 g reserve was part of the 26.4 g total, also.

I would advise against pushing the diesels that far. They hate sucking air. These new diesels will prime and purge better than the old ones but it is still considered an unacceptable practice.

carpersn

Reserve definitely part of total fuel capacity...i think the 26.4 is accurately printed, as i have seen this everywhere; however, i have personally also put almost 27.5 in the vehicle, so what i think is going on is that Mercedes doesn't include the "neck" from the actual tank to the intake cap, and most of us "top off the tank"...ergo, we're all right...

Comfy_Couch

...and/or perhaps some stations are little loosey goosey with their calibrations? As the price of beer has risen, in some places a pint of beer is no longer a pint.

Brocktoon

Online manual says:

"Tank capacity: Total capacity 100 l, Of which reserve fuel 13 l"

So that is 26 4/10 US Gallons total.

I think you guys are right, I doubt they include the filler neck, so perhaps that's where the extra fuel is going?

StevethePilot

+1 that's where I have usually "added" more than seems possible. Also, does the kerosene model have the same "carbon filter" (or whatever it is) that the petrolium model has, with regards to someplace else for fuel to spill in to should one over-fill it?

Also, how'd he get a home loan so quickly, to put that much fuel in at once?

MKW

If your engine " coughed " , I hope it didn't mean your fuel pump was sucking air - quick way to fry it . Make sure it doesn't have cold start rattling or new louder buzzing from it .

JimBarnhart

I stand corrected, I read the 'including' as "in addition to" rather than "part of which is"

26.4 gallons total.

cablvr

MKW - it started & ran like a champ immediately after the tank was filled. Nothing else since.

thebishman

Just to continue this debate:

My low fuel light came on as we were on the interstate driving home from Kansas City. I was within 2-3 miles of the nearest fuel station/rest stop area and the price was excellent for diesel there, ($4.389/US gallon), so I decided to pull off and fill up.

Total number of gallons, (US) pumped in the tank and feeder tube was:

26.832

Since I pumped this amount in essentially right after the low fuel, (reserve) light came on, I'm inclined to think that the tank will actually hold approximatley 29 gallons, (US), including the reserve, and not 26 gallons total as some of us thought.

Bish

Carl Lassiter

This is strange, but does seem common across the board for cars to take more than they manufacturer claims. Reserve is part of the total galons so filler neck is maybe where this goes, but 3 gallons extra does seem like a lot to fit there.

I've never ran out of gas but had friends that have. Gas cars are fine, just fill up and off you go but with diesels it means a trip on the flat bed (or it certainly used to)

Stumblefoot

Saw something on my 550 yesterday that I'd never seen before. After leaving home, the low fuel light came on with the fuel pump symbol in the display. I switched over to see what my range was and it said 26 miles. Since I was going downhill about 2,000 feet and only about 20 miles, I wasn't worried.

However, when the little symbol changed on my display to a mini fuel pump with a nozzle attached to my 550 (it actually had the 550's grill) I thought that was pretty cool... a fill up now idiot symbol, because you're about to run out of gas. At that point, I couldn't switch into any other modes on my display either, so no changing the songs on the iPod.

Pulled into the gas station and put in 26.847 gallons which is certainly above the stated range, but still 1 gallon less than what cablvr had to put into his when ran out of gas at the station.

Anyway, just curious if anyone else has seen the special little symbol I described above before? I couldn't find it anywhere in the manual. I guess now I know I don't have to worry about filling up until that special symbol comes on.

scottybdiving

20 miles downhill, eh? At least you could have coasted to the station.

For all the diesel drivers out there, we should never ever see the "fill up now idiot" symbol.

JimBarnhart

Yep, I've seen it. I don't remember it being a sticky window (i.e. that it can't be hidden again), and I don't know if they change the grill for my 450.

cablvr

I've seen that symbol. That means it is time to find the diesel pump. As Jim mentions, it is a sticky.

Comfy_Couch

Why? Because drinking from the bottom of the tank's not good for a diesel engine? Or because we're less likely to find a diesel station quickly?

scottybdiving

Diesels are not as welcoming as gas engines for re-starting. Many of the parts, specifically the injection pump, are lubricated by the diesel itself. They are also prone to get airlocked, trapping air in the fuel system, but recent engines have purge mechanisms that have greatly improved upon that. Older diesels had to have the injector lines loosened to bleed the air. Sometimes they require turning the engine over for long periods to purge the air, which can also result in damage to the starter and batteries. It just generally bad to run a diesel out of fuel.

Newbie_2_MB

Yup, I've had it a couple of times. It was during the time when gas was approaching $5 per gallon and I always thought it should have had little $$ signs floating from the pump to the GL.

Stumblefoot

B200Turbo

I had this happen on both cars ones B class has it as well when distance reaches below 50km you get that sign on the display with pump attached to the car.
With the GL I had once show up low level after 25kms I fill up 96litres and the fuel gauge was not yet anywhere near empty just low.
I drove 927kms on one tank

StevethePilot

My brain hurts.

robalo220

My owners manual for 08 320 CDI states 27 gal capacity. I have put 27.2 though. My 07 ML 320 CDI had a stated 25 gal tank and I was able to put just over 25 at one point, dont remember the exact amount.
I have seen the pic of the GL with the fuel hose inserted but was able to switch off of it.