Date:         Sun, 16 Apr 2000 23:10:42 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeanne Maly <traveller57@CABLEONE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeanne Maly <traveller57@CABLEONE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Syncro "reserve" fuel capacity
Comments: To: bpchristensen1@HOME.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

This made me so crazy when I first got my van that I kept asking the mechanic to
fix it, fix it, fix it.  It turns out that when the needle is on the white line
below the red zone, you still have 2.5 gals.  It still makes me crazy.

Jeanne
'87 Syncro Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen1@HOME.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2000 10:44 PM
Subject: Syncro "reserve" fuel capacity


> I'm finally getting around to posting this, though it has always been a
> mystery to me...
>
> (I'm working from memory here, so forgive me if I am a bit off)  The owners
> manual for my '89 Syncro Westy indicates a fuel tank capacity of 18.5 gals,
> and a "reserve capacity" of 2.5 gals.
>
> I have *never* been able to put more than about 14.5 gals  into it (and yes,
> it does read full afterwards).  On Friday, I let the needle get deep into
> the "red" zone before I had a chance to fill up, and guess what?  15 gallons
> was all it took!
>
> So my question is, when they say "2.5 gallon reserve capacity" are they
> talking about a "hidden" 2.5 gallons that is still left even when the needle
> shows dead-empty?
>
> I am going to drive around with a 2 gallon can of gas until I run out,
> unless someone can help me unravel this mystery...
>
> Brent Christensen
> '89 GL Syncro Westy
> Santa Barbara, CA