Re: Reserve fuel? -Reply

[Derek Daily <ddaily@SMTPGW.MITSUICOMTEK.COM>]

>>> Doug Miller <dmiller@iea.com> - 2/15/97 1:53 PM >>>
(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.  
>> I only wish you were correct here..I have had the Syn run
completely out of gas more than three times.  Of course, all three
were accidental, but some blame can be placed on the "fallible"
location of the gas tank gauge needle (i.e. it never falls into the
red, so it's sometimes difficult to determine exactly how much fuel
is remaining.  On every occasion, the following fill-up allows no
more than this 16.2 gallon result.
>
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).
>> I agree completely, this would be rather far-fetched.  But I'm
still concerned with the total volume.  By your guesstimation one
should then assume that the standard non-Syn Quantum, having a fuel
specification of 16.0 gallons probably also requires fill at 13.5
gallons empty?  This just seems bizarre.
SquirleyD
86 VW Qtm Syn
98 A4tqw -OR- 99 VW Pst Syn

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.