Gas tank question for 2015 FXDL
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Cahokia, IL
Gas tank question for 2015 FXDL
Is there a reserve tank that I can switch too or is my tank smaller than listed by Harley-Davidson? If so, I can find no discussion of it in the Dyna Models 2015 Harley-Davidson Owners Manual.
The manual and the Harley Davidson website both state the gas tank is 4.7 gallons. It has never taken more than 3.3 gallons and that was when I ran the gas tank needle below empty and the "remaining miles the bike can travel" display was all the way down to just 11 miles left.
I even COMPLETELY filled up the tank once when at 45 miles left and it only held 3.1 gallons. (The miles seem left disappear faster than road with in-town riding and the reading less than 50 miles left).
Something is wrong because I am sure the 30 or 40 different gas stations I have used are not all reporting the gas dispensed incorrectly, and surely not giving me 1.3 gallons for every gallon they are charging me for.
I apologize if someone else has asked the question and it has been answered before. I did attempt to do a search on "gas tank" and read some of the results but I could find no answer.
The manual and the Harley Davidson website both state the gas tank is 4.7 gallons. It has never taken more than 3.3 gallons and that was when I ran the gas tank needle below empty and the "remaining miles the bike can travel" display was all the way down to just 11 miles left.
I even COMPLETELY filled up the tank once when at 45 miles left and it only held 3.1 gallons. (The miles seem left disappear faster than road with in-town riding and the reading less than 50 miles left).
Something is wrong because I am sure the 30 or 40 different gas stations I have used are not all reporting the gas dispensed incorrectly, and surely not giving me 1.3 gallons for every gallon they are charging me for.
I apologize if someone else has asked the question and it has been answered before. I did attempt to do a search on "gas tank" and read some of the results but I could find no answer.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,758
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
The simple answer is you need to learn to trust your ODO and trip mileage, the fuel gauge on the tank is a joke at best and shouldn't even be there, it would be far better if it were a proper left side fill 
On older carbed bikes I've removed the in-tank gauge completely, on my '13 I've put a cover over the face of the gauge to blank it out... they're that useless 
The on-screen miles remaining countdown seems to be some sort of fuzzy logic and not very accurate either, as you put miles on the bike you'll develop a feel for your true range but it's going to be based on the ODO and amount of fuel you put in the tank.
On older carbed bikes I've removed the in-tank gauge completely, on my '13 I've put a cover over the face of the gauge to blank it out... they're that useless The on-screen miles remaining countdown seems to be some sort of fuzzy logic and not very accurate either, as you put miles on the bike you'll develop a feel for your true range but it's going to be based on the ODO and amount of fuel you put in the tank.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 882
Likes: 126
From: Hahira Ga
I have the same experience with my fxdb, the gauges are just not that accurate, better that they are pessimistic than optimistic! My previous switchback was the same way. I always go by my trip meter. Fuel injected models have no reserve, that went away with the carbs. Your gas mileage will not be as good in city driving and so the countdown will go by faster.
I'll agree with everybody else here. My bike will flash 'lo range' on the display and I'll still have about a gallon and a half in the tank. I just know that when the bike says I'm out of gas I still could probably make it 40-60 miles or more.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 766
From: north Carolina
Every fuel injected motorcycle is this way. Don't waste your time or the dealers time but taking it in. The fuel pump takes up some of room in there and the bike would rather tell you that you are almost empty when you actually aren't than tell you you're not empty when you are. Same way in a car. You could drive a car with "0 miles to e" showing for another 20-30 miles before running out. The only way you would ever fit 4.7 gallons in your tank is if you pulled it off the bike and dumped everything out and removed the fuel pump, then you would fit 4.7 gallons in there.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 6,345
From: pacific northwest
having owned numerous bikes without fuel gauge, the best way is reset your trip meter every fill up and learn your average fuel mileage. the fuel gauge while not accurate, one can quickly learn about how much range you have when the needle hits E, for that reason I like the gauge being FI engines do not have reserve.
I have put a bit over 4 gal once in my tank, still had some inside.
I have put a bit over 4 gal once in my tank, still had some inside.
Last edited by MRFREEZE57; Jul 24, 2015 at 12:49 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 716
Likes: 24
I have a 2015 FXDL. I average around 47mpg commuting, less when weekend hammering on the bike. I just reset my odometer every fill up, and just refill the tank every 170-180 miles. I have never hit empty, ever. Most I ever filled was 4 gallons. The fuel gauge is useless trust me, it is not even close to realistic. Enjoy your bike and ride on the odometer screen.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: California
Don't believe it... I left work last week my commute is 24 miles one way. Anyhow, my gauge showed reserve of 54 miles so I figured I could make it home and get gas there. Surprise! I ran out on I680 after going only about 16 miles. Called the wife to bring me a gallon but a tow truck stopped and gave me a gallon. I had to hurry and stop her from coming out. Made it to the next station and put 2.7 gallons in the tank. I'm trusting my trip meter from now on. My avg mileage is 170 per tank.