Fuel gauge annoys meeeeee

TCamusJr · #1 04-23-2006, 05:44 PM

I know this has been touched on since the inception of this site, but I wanted to reiterate how infirmed our fuel gauge is and I'd like to back up this statement with fact.

With the needle on the bottom line, right above the E, I filled my tank. It only took 12.8 gallons. The stated tank capacity is 18.5 or thereabouts. So, when the thank is considered hovering at emptry according to the gauge, there is still actually a third of a tank remaining.

Now atleast I have more of a guestimate as to how much fuel is left in the tank as I never took the time to really look at the figures.

Nemesis Destiny · #2 04-23-2006, 07:40 PM

I have actually run my car completely out of gas once. I think I got 265 miles of all in-town driving on that particular tank (91 Octane). I have since discovered that the low fuel light will come on (and stay on) when you have about 2.5 gallons of gas remaining. Then, based on whether you are driving in town or on the highway, you know how much farther you can risk going before you NEED to stop for fuel.

It's Just Eric · #3 04-23-2006, 09:25 PM

I like how when I fill my tank up completly, it tells me theres only 3/4ths a tank of gas. Damn thing is pessimistic I say

DreamingOfSpeed · #4 04-23-2006, 09:36 PM

Mines never been right, i use my tripometer to determine when i get gas (along with the gas gauge but i depend more on the tripmeter) I generally drive to about 250 miles and fill it up but i've gone as far as 280 and the light didnt pop on! (on mid grade gas no less!) I also fill my car to the top b/c i cant trust the gas gauge to be accurate and the one time i did put about half a tank in it failed me and i got stuck with the little gas light on, no cash, and i was already late for a class thats 20 miles away! I learned my lesson. Fill it up. (i do like my large tank though, i can easily go two weeks without worry so when things like Katrina happen and gas goes thru the roof i can easily ride out the worst of it. but only if my daddy has the forethought to know the spike is coming!)

Electrophil · #5 04-23-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreamingOfSpeed

Mines never been right, i use my tripometer to determine when i get gas (along with the gas gauge but i depend more on the tripmeter) I generally drive to about 250 miles and fill it up but i've gone as far as 280 and the light didnt pop on! (on mid grade gas no less!) I also fill my car to the top b/c i cant trust the gas gauge to be accurate and the one time i did put about half a tank in it failed me and i got stuck with the little gas light on, no cash, and i was already late for a class thats 20 miles away! I learned my lesson. Fill it up. (i do like my large tank though, i can easily go two weeks without worry so when things like Katrina happen and gas goes thru the roof i can easily ride out the worst of it. but only if my daddy has the forethought to know the spike is coming!)

I have forced mine to 290 miles before chickening out. I'm sure I got there on fumes.

Nemesis Destiny · #6 04-23-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electrophil

I have forced mine to 290 miles before chickening out. I'm sure I got there on fumes.

Carry a Jerrycan in the trunk with a few gallons in it. Then you can be brave all you like to find out just how far, she'll go and still have enough to get you to a gas station...

I once got ~650-700 km on one tank... that's about 425 miles. 95% Highway, on Hwy402 in Ontario, and I-75N in Michigan (London, ON to Sault Ste. Marie, ON, via Michigan).