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I have a manual Captiva LTX Diesel (for those who don't know), a 2008 (57 Plate) with 37k miles.
Yesterday, I was coming back from Reading after a long (very long) working day, and I knew I would need Diesel. But like a fool, I was on the M4 and thought "just go to the next one", not wanting to pay motorway service prices.
Just past the exit for Chippenham, my worst fear happened. The fuel warning light came on. I reset my Avg Fuel Cons on the computer, checked the Range to Go figure. The computer said 79 miles to go and my Sat Nav said 69 to home. I thought, this was a Top Gear Challenge moment. OK I didn't want to get home without fuel, but knew if these where correct I should at least get to my local Tesco station about 10 miles from home. So I switched off all non essential electrics (ie Air Con, Radio, put Sat Nav on Battery) and away we go...
I maintained a 70 mph, right up to the the junction for the M32 where I experienced road works so eased up to 50mph and continued at 50 (56). When I got on the Severn Bridge, I checked my Average MPG (computer read 12.2 lts/100 miles - about 37 mpg) and the range read 36 miles to go, the Sat Nav said 52 miles to home. WOW I have increased my range by 16 miles (according to the computer). I'm going to make it... I thought. At that point I glanced at the Range and it zeroed (--- on the display). I was now really on fumes, as the computer gave up and said you're on you own. I changed the setting to AVG and noticed it had improved to 12.0 lts/100 miles (just short of 38mpg). What to do ? come off and find a station or press on... I remember someone saying that diesel cars "cough" before running out, no cough, splutter, nothing. So I pressed on.
I now drove the rest at 50-56mph (50 through the speed check area). I was getting nervous but I made it.
Not sure how much diesel was still left when I pulled in to the Tesco's at Risca, but I hadn't experienced a cough, splutter nothing... The Captiva had driven a good 50 miles after the fuel light had come on with no problem, although I drove it sensibly and without unnecessary electrics.
When I filled up I filled right up to the brim, and put in 66.88 ltrs. I know the Captiva has an official 65 ltr tank, but I don't think that includes the "pipe" to the brim. If anyone knows the actual full figure I would be interested, if only to guess how much fuel I had left. I guess very little.
Personally I was impressed. According to the trip computer I was getting just short of 38mpg (12.0 lts/100 miles) which is not far from the official figures. But it does show to get that you need to drive so carefully and not use the nice "extras" in your car. But it is good to know, in case you get caught out.
By the way, after this experience, I was checking the owners book for "bleeding the fuel", as previous diesels I have had, state if you run out of fuel you have to bleed the system to get it working again. I couldn't see anything for the Captiva. Do you have to bleed the fuel if you run out, and if so, any idea the process to do this....
Cheers.
Yesterday, I was coming back from Reading after a long (very long) working day, and I knew I would need Diesel. But like a fool, I was on the M4 and thought "just go to the next one", not wanting to pay motorway service prices.
Just past the exit for Chippenham, my worst fear happened. The fuel warning light came on. I reset my Avg Fuel Cons on the computer, checked the Range to Go figure. The computer said 79 miles to go and my Sat Nav said 69 to home. I thought, this was a Top Gear Challenge moment. OK I didn't want to get home without fuel, but knew if these where correct I should at least get to my local Tesco station about 10 miles from home. So I switched off all non essential electrics (ie Air Con, Radio, put Sat Nav on Battery) and away we go...
I maintained a 70 mph, right up to the the junction for the M32 where I experienced road works so eased up to 50mph and continued at 50 (56). When I got on the Severn Bridge, I checked my Average MPG (computer read 12.2 lts/100 miles - about 37 mpg) and the range read 36 miles to go, the Sat Nav said 52 miles to home. WOW I have increased my range by 16 miles (according to the computer). I'm going to make it... I thought. At that point I glanced at the Range and it zeroed (--- on the display). I was now really on fumes, as the computer gave up and said you're on you own. I changed the setting to AVG and noticed it had improved to 12.0 lts/100 miles (just short of 38mpg). What to do ? come off and find a station or press on... I remember someone saying that diesel cars "cough" before running out, no cough, splutter, nothing. So I pressed on.
I now drove the rest at 50-56mph (50 through the speed check area). I was getting nervous but I made it.
Not sure how much diesel was still left when I pulled in to the Tesco's at Risca, but I hadn't experienced a cough, splutter nothing... The Captiva had driven a good 50 miles after the fuel light had come on with no problem, although I drove it sensibly and without unnecessary electrics.
When I filled up I filled right up to the brim, and put in 66.88 ltrs. I know the Captiva has an official 65 ltr tank, but I don't think that includes the "pipe" to the brim. If anyone knows the actual full figure I would be interested, if only to guess how much fuel I had left. I guess very little.
Personally I was impressed. According to the trip computer I was getting just short of 38mpg (12.0 lts/100 miles) which is not far from the official figures. But it does show to get that you need to drive so carefully and not use the nice "extras" in your car. But it is good to know, in case you get caught out.
By the way, after this experience, I was checking the owners book for "bleeding the fuel", as previous diesels I have had, state if you run out of fuel you have to bleed the system to get it working again. I couldn't see anything for the Captiva. Do you have to bleed the fuel if you run out, and if so, any idea the process to do this....
Cheers.