blacksheepSpyder

I have a 2016 spyder, I ordered it with a 16.9 gal tank which was also listed on my window sticker.

after 18 months of ownership, I believe that I have only ever even when running down to a very very low amount of fuel only put about 14 gallons in the tank.

how to verify a 16.9 gallon tank without running out of gas or draining a tank?

genevagear

I am assuming the standard option is the 14.3 gallon tank. There are two possible issues:

A. Porsche did not install a 16.9 gallon tank.
B. The fuel gauge is not reading correctly.

After looking online I did not find any details about a fuel tank drain valve. Take the car to the dealer and have them siphon the tank for you and diagnose whether it is the wrong tank size or a gauge issue.

blacksheepSpyder

here is what I learned:

The part number for the 16.9 gal tank is 991-201-021-04 - 64 liters

To see this part number you must go in through the front trunk and pull the battery and battery box.

No time for that this weekend but will let you know soon...

JCtx

If you were able to put 14 gallons in, you have the 16.9 tank. Simple. Remember not all 16.9 gallons are usable, since the 'pocket' where the fuel (or transfer, in this case) pump is requires fuel to cool it, and cannot be used.

blacksheepSpyder

That explanation doesn't sound very German at all, that sounds like some crap GM would make up.

digitalrurouni

I will verify next time I put gas in to my Spyder how much I put in. I will have an opportunity to be able to drain the gas tank pretty close to empty.

terbiumactivated

Not sure but just in case our fuel pumps are in tank I would avoid always driving to empty. The fuel is also a coolant in that configuration so it's better to keep it above half.

eric1234

Really? Vehicles with in-tank pumps have such pumps located there for the cooling, but it is only available when the tank is more than 1/2 full?

I can't imagine any engineer taking part in such a design.

(Admittedly, I have no detailed knowledge of such fuel systems - I just struggle to think that one which used fuel for cooling would be placed such that there was ever no fuel available for cooling...)

terbiumactivated

The tank location is for several reasons, one of which is for cooling. I keep my vehicle tanks above half anyhow but I'm sure they are engineered to be drained to E, I just figure why not?

Noah Fect

Wait, wasn't the fuel-tank size option introduced with the 718 (982) models? The Spyders are 981-based. I wouldn't expect there to be a choice with those.

Dicknose

It was part of the weight saving, like the default audio and aircon deleted.

Suicide Jockey

The 981 Spyders came standard with a 14.27 gal. tank with the Extended Range 16.91 gal. tank offered as a no cost option (option code #085). According to the Spyder Database, the vast majority of North American cars (87%) are equipped with the larger tank.

digitalrurouni

yeah and I am glad that option was there because the range would be quite a bit compromised for my liking.

JCtx

Indeed. It's already compromised. Ha ha. And you can always just put less gas, if you want. Problem solved. But with the smaller tank, you cannot put more. And the difference in empty weight can't be much more than a couple of hamburgers.

Noah Fect

What it does is allow the manufacturer to trumpet "XX pounds lighter than previous model!"

No manufacturer, least of all Porsche, should pull this kind of marketing BS... and no customer, least of all Porsche customers, should fall for it. They are literally insulting our intelligence.