w126 low fuel warning - how much left? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-14-2003, 09:15 AM

Does anyone know approximately how much gas I have left when the low gas warning light comes on? I hate not knowing how far I can "push it" before filling up.

JerryBro · #2 10-14-2003, 12:09 PM

On my 84, about 2 gallons.
On my 83, about 2 miles.

Jerry

dmorrison · #3 10-14-2003, 12:17 PM

Supposed to be 2-2.5 gallons. Drive the car and when the light comes on, fill up and see how many gallons it takes. that wil lgive yo anidea of how many gallons you have left when the light comes on. We reset the trip odometer when the light comes on and figure we have about 50 miles to go. If your screen is partially blocked, due to age and debriss in the tank, you may have less.

Dave

haasman · #4 10-14-2003, 12:43 PM

If you still have your owner's manual, it states it on the last page.

Often older car's fuel sending units get gummed up making the accuracy of the reserve light questionable. Some have reported using a fuel system cleaner has improved this.

You can also remove the fuel sending unit and clean it. Use the SEARCH button above, there have been many postings regarding this.

Haasman

sixto · #5 10-14-2003, 01:23 PM

Just checked yesterday in the 300SE. Light had been on solid for ~5 miles of city driving. Couldn't get more than 20 gallons into the tank.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

#6 10-14-2003, 01:39 PM

I already put $15 worth of gas in the car, so I can't make any calculaitons from this tankful, but I did drive for about 25 - 30 miles with the light on.

btw - the light would go on and turn off a couple of times before it finally stayed lit. Is this normal or a fuel pickup problem?

haasman · #7 10-14-2003, 01:48 PM

Reserve light flckering is normal as it is normal for your fuel load to slosh around in your tank.

BobK · #8 10-14-2003, 01:49 PM

light on and off at first is normal. level just finally gets low enough that the float stays far enough down for the low fuel light contacts to stay put. My '87 560SEL usually can go at least 20 miles after the light comes on. My usual place to fuel up is about 14 miles away so works out ok. I would not like to tempt Murphy too much more. At 4,130 lbs, I don't wanna push the car.

Q · #9 10-14-2003, 03:55 PM

I've gone 30 miles on a few occasions with light on.

#10 10-14-2003, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Often older car's fuel sending units get gummed up making the accuracy of the reserve light questionable. Some have reported using a fuel system cleaner has improved this.

Any suggestions as to fuel system cleaners? They seem to range from $1 to $20 and I'm really curious to know if there's a difference between them.

#11 10-14-2003, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BobK
light My '87 560SEL usually can go at least 20 miles after the light comes on.

Ditto!

haasman · #12 10-14-2003, 05:28 PM

I like the Chevron Techron products. I used the Fuel Injector cleaner (a bottle in less than a full tank) before the next oil change.

The fuel system cleaner also seems to work well. I would think these would be actually the same products, but they do work differently.

If you have never cleaned the injectors and/or the fuel system, you might want to try it.

I don't know that a $20 cleaner is any better than the Techron brand and I believe it is approved by Mercedes, or at least was.

Haasman

bruce · #13 12-21-2005, 03:42 PM

What should I check when my low fuel light is on at all times?
300sd
Bruce

Hatterasguy · #14 12-21-2005, 06:43 PM

According to that little book in your glove box:
My 1987 300SDL has a 23.8 gallon capacity, including a 3.3 gallon reserve.

So when the light comes on if I play super conservative and figure I'm only getting 20mpg I could go 63 miles.

Now all this is assuming a 20 year old guage is accurite, this is a big assumption.

Don't worry if you run out pop open the glove box and dial the number on the sticker, MB will take care of you.

Benzadmiral · #15 12-22-2005, 09:12 AM

On my '86 420SEL, the light would come on with 4 gal. left in the tank, despite the manual's statement, if I recall correclty, that it would go on with 3 gal. left.

I love a car that warns you early.