Filling up tank quirkiness

[javaperson]

When filling up any car, I typically pump until it clicks. On most cars, it clicks when the tank is full. Additional pumping just leads to quick follow-up of clicks from the pump.

However, on my X5, if I stop at the first click, the fuel gauge doesn't reach full. Instead after the 1st click, if I keep pumping, I can get another ~1gallon or so before the 2nd click. At this point, then the fuel gauge will read full.

On other cars, this type of behavior can happen if I run the tank really low; however, on my X5, it seems to happen all the time, even if I refill on a 1/2 tank.

Anyone notice this?

[P1]

Damn, you get a full tank every time? Must be nice to be rich...

[Dirty Cash]

Originally Posted by P1et

Damn, you get a full tank every time? Must be nice to be rich...

LOL!

I try to fill up when my tank is half full (or half empty for those who think this way) to help cut down on fuel costs.

OP, I haven't had mine long enough to notice any discrepancies, but when I topped her off the other day, it was one click and a full tank read on the gauge.

[TOPEC]

it all depends on the fuel gun/pump ur using. some dispenses fuel at a faster rate and some slower. the faster ones will cause back splash or the tank to "burp" triggering the gun to stop.

[Alan l.]

My 2015 X5 35i didn't do this but my 2016 X5M does. It's annoying that after it clicks I can get atleast another gallon in. If I don't my fuel gauge is just a hair below full. Considering how much gas the M chugs I need every gallon I can get lol.

Alan

[spike5150]

Yes I have the same issue. Very annoying. Usually get another gallon in there, but have to do it by hand very slowly.

[zinengineer]

Originally Posted by Dirty Cash

LOL!

I try to fill up when my tank is half full (or half empty for those who think this way) to help cut down on fuel costs.

not to be too technical, but it's really not going to matter how frequently you fill up....you'll spend the same $$ regardless of how full/empty the tank is. You will however spend a "bit less" each time you fill up, but over the course of time will spend the same either way.

having said that, I generally try to not get too far below half-full....that's the way I was taught. I find that filling until the pump clicks off, then bumping to the next nearest $0.05 usually results in the fuel gauge landing on "F".

[MN2///M]

Originally Posted by zinengineer

not to be too technical, but it's really not going to matter how frequently you fill up....you'll spend the same $$ regardless of how full/empty the tank is. You will however spend a "bit less" each time you fill up, but over the course of time will spend the same either way.

Well....if we really want to get technical.....the less fuel you carry the less money you will spend on fuel due to decreased weight. Less weight = greater gas mileage given all other conditions are the same.

But who really cares right? We don't really drive these cars for the gas mileage.

[zinengineer]

Originally Posted by MN2///M

Well....if we really want to get technical.....the less fuel you carry the less money you will spend on fuel due to decreased weight. Less weight = greater gas mileage given all other conditions are the same.

But who really cares right? We don't really drive these cars for the gas mileage.

you are indeed correct; if you need to worry about the cost of gas, you're driving the wrong vehicles. I'm holding out for dilithium crystals and warp drives, until then it's all premium gas

now, back to the topic at hand

[gt0279a]

My 2015 does the same thing. I feel like it's more like you can add 1/2 gallon after the first click though.

[Florida-X3]

Originally Posted by gt0279a

My 2015 does the same thing. I feel like it's more like you can add 1/2 gallon after the first click though.

Same here .....

[Dirty Cash]

Originally Posted by zinengineer

not to be too technical, but it's really not going to matter how frequently you fill up....you'll spend the same $$ regardless of how full/empty the tank is. You will however spend a "bit less" each time you fill up, but over the course of time will spend the same either way.

having said that, I generally try to not get too far below half-full....that's the way I was taught. I find that filling until the pump clicks off, then bumping to the next nearest $0.05 usually results in the fuel gauge landing on "F".

To each their own.

[Apple Corps]

You guys that do this top off thing are filling the evaporative recovery system with gasoline and often make it difficult for the next person to get the pump to start filling. Many times I have had to pull the rubber sleeve on the pump backwards with the nozzle pointed down and watch the gasoline pour out because of this topping off obsession.

Not good.

[XXX5]

Originally Posted by Apple Corps

You guys that do this top off thing are filling the evaporative recovery system with gasoline and often make it difficult for the next person to get the pump to start filling. Many times I have had to pull the rubber sleeve on the pump backwards with the nozzle pointed down and watch the gasoline pour out because of this topping off obsession.

Not good.

What??? Never happened in 30 years of filling my tank.

[Apple Corps]

Have had it happen many times. Have you ever seen the sign on the tank to NOT TOP OFF?

http://clark.com/cars/why-you-should...your-gas-tank/

[XXX5]

Never have had what the guy before me does affect my fill. Sorry uh no

[Apple Corps]

Well, maybe it is a California with their ultra strict vapor emission controls on the gas pumps.

[javaperson]

Sounds like I am not the only one seeing this. Kind of annoying at first, but now, I just know to pump again after the first click. Wonder what is causing this...

[double_j]

This happens to my car once in a blue moon. Not sure what triggers it, but the pump will stop before the gauge reads full. Most of the time it works fine though.

A half tank is really conservative - you still have a good 150 miles in your tank at that point....I thought I was bad with not letting my tank get below a quarter.

[double_j]

Originally Posted by Apple Corps

Have had it happen many times. Have you ever seen the sign on the tank to NOT TOP OFF?

http://clark.com/cars/why-you-should...your-gas-tank/

In this case it's not a top-off. The pump actually stops before the gauge reads as full. OP isn't trying to squeeze a few extra gallons into the tank, OP is just trying to fill the tank all the way.

[Alan l.]

Correct.

I've never had the issue apple corps described at any gas pump either.

If i let the gas attendant fill up the gas he would usually stop right at the first click. As a result i leave the gas station with my fuel gauge a hair below the full mark. If i do it i usually get another half gallon in and my fuel gauge is right at the full mark.

[Apple Corps]

Originally Posted by double_j

In this case it's not a top-off. The pump actually stops before the gauge reads as full. OP isn't trying to squeeze a few extra gallons into the tank, OP is just trying to fill the tank all the way.

Perhaps it depends on what the definition of "topping off" is. When the gas pump clicks off it is because the pump settings consider the tank as full - the vapor emission control triggers off as it is now drawing gasoline as opposed to vapor.

The symptom the next customer experiences is a pump that triggers off as soon as they try to pump - squeeze the handle again and it triggers off. Pull the nozzle out of the filler tube - pull the rubber vapor shield back and watch liquid gasoline dribble or flow out onto the concrete - the pump recovery has been over loaded. Reinsert and squeeze the handle and all is well.

I guess my perspective was when the gas pump stops the tank is as full as it will get with the vapor recovery requirements in place.

I have also experienced on older Bimms that the fuel gauge would show slightly less than full and after a few minutes of driving the gauge would show a full tank.