Hi,

I know, i can google this..and I've read anywhere from 5-20 miles left
when the reserve light goes on.
I have a 300D, The gas gage needle is on reserve, but the light has not
come on, but it flickered. I'd like to fill up at a station about
4 miles away, But I am nervous. After around the 1/2 tank part,
the gas gage seems to sometimes jump. I hate to get gas at the station
around the corner, since its Very expensive.
Am I just being nervous for nothing?...
Thanks
Lindajane

A 300D shouldn't have a gas gauge. It would also be a very bad idea to put gas in it.

According to the owner's manual, the reserve light on the fuel gauge should come on when there are 2.8 gallons left in the tank. With typical fuel economy this should get you 60-70 miles. However, we are talking about a gauge and sending unit that are over 30 years old. I wouldn't be too worried about four miles, but I'd bring a cell phone just in case.

I always reset my trip odometer when I fuel up. I trust that more than my fuel gauge or reserve light. Once I start getting over 450 miles into a tank, I start thinking about fueling up.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

should be a gallon or so when the reserve light stays on.

Since it sucks to run out of fuel, when running low, I note the distance to known service stations, taking into account speed of travel/rate of consumption & take on fuel as necessary.

__________________
1991 300D

I would recommend removing and cleaning the sensor. It isn't too difficult. And it will clear up the "jumpy" fuel gauge problem.

In this thread I posted how to clean it. w123 out of diesel at 1/8 tank

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Four miles should be no big deal.

If you have a grocery or corner store nearer to you, you could always put in a gallon of veggie oil. If you're really worried about running out along the way. That will give you another 25 miles or so of range. Once you fill up it will be diluted to about 20:1 diesel to veggie oil which is safe by anyone's measure.

It's good to be aware that your reserve light and gauge may not hardly work. I tested mine yesterday...ran it well past the needle at empty. The reserve light never came on. It comes on when your turn the key to "glow" position so the bulb works. Finally filled up because I was getting worried...got in 19.53 gallons. The tank should hold 80 liters, or 21.13 gallons. So I had 1.6 gallons left. My gas gauge is kind of iffy, jumps around a bit when near empty, so I bet my reserve light is going to be inaccurate too.

__________________
1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Throw in a gallon or two at the station around the corner and then drive to your preferred station.

__________________
617 swapped Toyota Pickup, 22-24 MPG, 50k miles on swap

I would pull the sender and clean the the inside and contacts....very possible the sender has an inch of gunk in the bottom of it and the copper wire broke. My reserve light comes on....when I reach 5 gals in the tank..

__________________