Re: Reserve fuel?

[dmiller@iea.com (Doug Miller)]

(snip)

Derek sed:

> Column "A" states fuel capacity: 16.0 gallons.  Column "B"
>states reserve fuel capacity: 2.5 gallons.
>Question:  What is this 'reserve' capacity?

The reserve capacity is simply an approximate amount of fuel that remains
in the fuel tank when the dash guage shows empty.  There is no separate
reservoir of fuel. You have never put more than 16.2 gallons into it simply
because you have wisely gassed up as the guage approached empty.  My A6 has
the same phrasing in the owner's manual as to reserve and total fuel
capacity.  I have put 1 gallon short of the total in it already on a road
trip to see what kind of range I have (kinda stupid, actually, but it's
just the way I am).  Don't try this at home - running a car out of fuel can
cause damage.

>I'm curious for explanations.  (Some of you may remember my question
>about a tray in the back of the car.  I still think this may have
>been used for an extra fuel container)

Having been on the manufacturing side for many years in the automobile
industry, I can state catagorically that NO manufacturer would place any
type of reserve fuel reservoir in a vehicle that was not a true fuel tank.
What I assume you suggest - that possibly the shelf is there for something
of this nature - would not be possible under fuel system integrity and
safety standards. Not to mention the incredible liability of a manufacturer
placing a fuel reservoir somewhere within the body of a vehicle (tanks are
almost invariably under the floor pan, in a steel chamber behind the seats,
etc. not INSIDE the vehicle).

Just my 2 centavos....


Doug Miller
dmiller@iea.com
97A6Q Wagon, 93 LandCruiser w/diff locks (and well used skidplates), 71
LeMans Sport V8 Convertible. Cannondale Super V 900 Comp.