CSR Fuel consumption.

[keechy]

CSR fuel tanks holds 41 Itrs I think, drove a 200 mile round trip last weekend to detling kit car show but only got 150 miles to the tank (motorway driving at 70-80) when I filled up I only got 31 ltrs in the tank with the needle in the red (although there was still 10 ltrs left I didn't know that). Would really like to know how far I can get on a tank full, my question is if I was to run the car until it run out of fuel would I do it any harm? Thanks in advance.

[mickrick]

If you did 150 on 30 litres then it seems to me you'll get 200 from 40........
Or am I missing something?

[2slo]

It does hold 41 litres. You know how many miles you've travelled and how much fuel you've used to do that mileage. 31 litres = 6.8 imperial gallons. You covered 150 miles so your CSR did just under 22mpg. That seems about right (Autocar got 23.6mpg on test). Based on your consumption and assuming all the fuel in a Caterham tank is accessible (some will say it isn't)your maximum range would be approx 198 miles. What would be the point of running the tank dry?

Edited by 2slo on Monday 30th May 17:17

[keechy]

Thanks chaps, cheers Mick, I may be a thick old plumber but even I worked that much out, Trying to find out if my fuel gauge is working ok, and if I would do any damage if I ran it out of fuel.

[mickrick]

Sorry, I wasn"t implying anything.
I don'think running it dry would be a good idea though. You may run dry in a dangerous place, and secondly, you,ll suck up any muck that"s in the tank.
You already know you have 50 miles reserve.

[downsman]

I have an S3, so it isn't totally relevant, but I checked the gauge when I first filled my tank.
I measured gallons by weight, and I put 2 gallons (nine litres) in before the fuel needle moved at all.
The needle then moved smoothly across the gauge until it was full.

Sounds very similar to your readings. I've just decided to make sure I fill up as the needle approaches empty knowing that I have a little in hand just in case.

As far as damage is concerned, I've heard that it is generally a bad idea to run out of fuel in any car with a catalyst and fuel injection. It is also a bad idea to push start modern cars, and even jump leads have been know to blow up ECUs according to a friend who works on Hondas.

[kitcat7]

I suppose it depends how hard you drive the car. The last time i ran out of fuel, a couple of years ago, I had covered 238 miles, and averaged around 25mpg, which is what I am still getting. Sure the guage reads empty when there is still a couple of gallons left, but TADTS. Why not set your trip meter when you fill up and if you are only getting 23 mpg, then after 150 miles you will know to fill up again at the next opportunity, I get to 200 miles before I start to worry.

BtW, running dry had no adverse reaction on my car, i borrowed a gallon to put in and she started right away.

Paul

[keechy]

Thanks for all your replies