Fuel tank and consumption

[cutch]

How big is the fuel tank on the atom3? 40 ltrs?

I take its foam filled? I've only filled mine once but I think it only took 28ltrs....

How far do you usually get on a tank for a supercharged 3 on country roads vs track?

[autobackup]

1. You are correct - according to My Atom 3 user manual it holds 40L

2. Foam filled? - mine isn't but is baffled to minimise fuel 'slosh', however my Atom is a 2011 car and so I'm not sure whether or not the latest Atoms' tanks are foam filled?

3. Fuel gauge calibration/quatity measurement : Absolutely terrible!

When the tank is full my gauge shows 40L - when it shows 6L/8L remaining it usually will only take about 16L/17L to fill it to full!

So 6L/8L indicated on the gauge (with the RT2 Dash low fuel warning red lights occasionally flashing when cornering) is, in reality, circa 23L/24L (so still over half full)!!

I currently estimate that I should get circa +/- 300 miles out of a full tank in my 3.5R - this is based on my MPG calculations but I'm really not sure whether or not it is possible to use all the fuel in the tank so I usually ensure that I fill up (at the latest) after approximately 250 miles!

As a 3.5R my Atom is definitely 'thirstier' than when it was a 3.5 310 - on track I would imagine it's range would be a fraction of the above road going estimations?

[cutch]

Ah so when my gauge was reading nearly empty it might not have been anywhere near it. Thats why it only took 27ltrs to fill....

[R0880]

I have noticed the same.

I had a blind panic whilst out driving and the gauge hit zero, drove very conservatively to the garage and filled up with just over 20 litres!

I mentioned this at the 500 mile service at the factory and the advice was to fill up every 150 miles or so.

I think over time you will get to know the car and these quirks, keeps it intersting.

[cutch]

Is it not possible to recalibrate the sensor?

[phil4]

On a few long road trips I've done, I pretty much top it up every 200 miles.

With fuel moving around I'd really rather not hit a fuel starvation issue for fun. I appreciate 200 miles is far away from most cars that manage twice or more, but for me it's not dissimilar to my motorbike,s o don't view it as too bad.

[Alex Brandon-Smith]

I currently estimate that I should get circa +/- 300 miles out of a full tank in my 3.5R - this is based on my MPG calculations but I'm really not sure whether or not it is possible to use all the fuel in the tank so I usually ensure that I fill up (at the latest) after approximately 250 miles!

300 miles for a 3.5R suggests you need to be driving it a hell of a lot harder!

[Trigger]

However much I tell myself there must be atleast 15-20 litres left I cant help but worry when the red light is flashing all the time and it says -3 litres !!!! It was always said that after 2 hrs (usually 150 odd miles) any Atom / Nomad driver would need a rest anyway ! But trouble is when you come back to drive after a couple of weeks and the car has 18 litres apparently yet after 20 miles says 0 - this is me last weekend - its unnerving.

[Alex Brandon-Smith]

I've got fairly used to it's quirks now. The most I've ever put into the tank was quite recently. I drove about 60 miles (slightly more gingerly) with it flashing zero and I still could only get 34 litres in it! I would suggest relaxing around the zero a bit boys..

[cutch]

Right i was out again and followed the advice of its quirky and it won't be anywhere near empty.........eh naw.....I stared to run out of fuel right on the empty mark on the gauge.....I turned around and just made it to the petrol station. It took 29 1/2 ltrs. Is the tank 30 liters? Or foam filled !?!?!

[Trigger]

Sorry - but to be clear - was it spluttering and not running properly or did it just flash red and say empty ?

[cutch]

Started spluttering and you could hear the fuel getting sacked up by the pump if you know what I mean?

[Trigger]

Ok good to know. Its all very confusing.

[cutch]

Tell me about it. Just talked to the boys in factory and they say it's got a 38ltr tank. Now surely if i had 8 ltrs in there it wouldnt be spluttering. I think i will get it down low again and take off fuel connection and let the pump empty the tank into a container to see how much I really have. I will phone previous owner just in case he had the tank foam filled as i know he had it on track a bit.

[Trigger]

Nomads have 50 litres so at yr empty level i should have 10 litres left.....but just worries me.