fuel economy and tire pressures - Benzworld.org

GM3 · 08-26-2003, 11:20 AM

Hey there! I was wondering if someone could answer my questions:

1) How big is a fuel tank in a 1988 280GE LWB? The reason why I ask is that I only get roughly about 110 miles per tankful. Does that figure sound ridiculous? I wonder how many mpg i get versus what i'm supposed to get.

2) Also, does anyone know what the tire pressures need to be on my g wagen? I recently changed the wheels to the 2002 18" g500 wheels and was wondering what the proper pressures should be for my truck.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hipine · 08-26-2003, 01:06 PM

You should be getting at least about 12 mp(US)g, and you should have a good 15 gal of usable fuel (total tank cap is about 18 gal), for an easy 180 miles on a tank. I used to get about 200 before I added my saddle tanks.

Start frequenting the same gas station and using the same pump regularly for 5 tanks if possible. Fill up until the auto shutoff each time and compare the gal used to the miles driven to find your fuel economy and know if you're suffering form excess consumption.

After that, it's possible your fuel leve sender is malfunctioning, telling you to fil up before you really need to. Are you going to the warnig light or just until the needle falls low? They are on separate circuits. When my needle was reading falsely low I went to waiting for the light before I'd refuel.

Keep us posted.

-Dave G.

GM3 · 08-26-2003, 04:51 PM

hi, thanks for the suggestions. I didn't even know that there was a warning light on my model. Is that even on the earlier 460 G's? I've been refuelling when there is a little gas left, because i'm scared that i would be stranded.

thanks.

JRBrown · 08-26-2003, 07:12 PM

About how many liters are you pumping in at each fill?

Braingears · 08-27-2003, 12:12 AM

Warning... The warning light has a bad habit of failing with age. The sensor often "tarnishes"; not allowing the circuit to complete.
To be safe, carry an additional 5Gal gas can... Just in case...

Chuck

Hipine · 08-27-2003, 08:56 AM

My truck was built in august of 1980 and has all the general "early g" features, and it has the warning light.

Very sage advice offered by our friend Chuck below though!

-Dave G.

Hipine · 08-27-2003, 09:00 AM

Do you have teh saddle tanks? If NOT then there is a small vent line that runs from the top of the left most portion of the tank over toward the center. If this line is blocked or kinked, you'll get a "short fill" as air will be trapped in the upper portion of the left side and if the air isn't let out by that vent line, then fuel can't get into that area.

And if you DO have the saddle tanks, then the vent is inside the cab, above the rear door. It could also be plugged, though not as likely since it's a big tube and well protected.

Noting how many liters it takes at a fill up from "empty" is the first key though, to deciding whether you're buring a lot, or just not getting much on a fill up.

-Dave G.