When the fuel level light comes on...
- Thread starter Shannow
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I used to think running on empty for as long as humanly possibly without having to make my apprehensive passengers get out and push the car to the next gas station was a sign of automotive bravery -- until I found about overheating fuel pumps.
Actually, I think my "problem" stems from my father.
I had a 1972 car which had no fuel light, just a simple gauge...21 years ago.
I was worried about making it to school in the morning, and advised my parents of the same.
Dad went back to work at 12PM/AM...in my car.
In the morning, he told me that he'd taken my car to work, I told him what I'd previously told him, then he told me that there was plenty of fuel, as he'd got to work and back no probs.
I ran out half way to school.
I coasted all the way to a bowser, about 3 km.
I've never run out since.
That Frood dude prolly has something to say about this.
I had a 1972 car which had no fuel light, just a simple gauge...21 years ago.
I was worried about making it to school in the morning, and advised my parents of the same.
Dad went back to work at 12PM/AM...in my car.
In the morning, he told me that he'd taken my car to work, I told him what I'd previously told him, then he told me that there was plenty of fuel, as he'd got to work and back no probs.
I ran out half way to school.
I coasted all the way to a bowser, about 3 km.
I've never run out since.
That Frood dude prolly has something to say about this.
Between condensation and fear of getting in a 2hr jam with 2 gallons left, I've never let the light go on in 90K miles.
Since I have an echo, if I did run out of gas, pushing it wouldn't be much of a problem.
Since I have an echo, if I did run out of gas, pushing it wouldn't be much of a problem.
I occasionally run my 528e down to the warning light. It is erratic in its turn on point. < 90miles according to the range function on the OBC. Under 32 miles of range, the display switches from numerals to ----. I dont get running out of gas. Its way less of a problem to fill up once in while.
Re frood, the pre-61 Bugs had no gas gauge. Just a foot operated switch that operated a valve that used a lower pick up. The sensation of the the engine sputtering and then the relief you felt when you switched to reserve and the engine steadied was enough of a jolt to ensure that you best be filling up PDQ
Re frood, the pre-61 Bugs had no gas gauge. Just a foot operated switch that operated a valve that used a lower pick up. The sensation of the the engine sputtering and then the relief you felt when you switched to reserve and the engine steadied was enough of a jolt to ensure that you best be filling up PDQ
What's a bowser?
And what is the particularly funny Aussie term for a horny guy?
My gas light came on in the 850 the other day. 2.5 or so gallons on reserve. This was a test though, because after like two years on regular, I want to try a full tank or three of 92 to see what the MPG does. I didn't feel guilty, but I did feel anal.
And what is the particularly funny Aussie term for a horny guy?
My gas light came on in the 850 the other day. 2.5 or so gallons on reserve. This was a test though, because after like two years on regular, I want to try a full tank or three of 92 to see what the MPG does. I didn't feel guilty, but I did feel anal.
"I didn't feel guilty, but I did feel anal."
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I try to avoid that feeling though I have no right to avoid it.
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I try to avoid that feeling though I have no right to avoid it.
Feel guilty? No way. That light has a purpose and I let it do its job, pretty much before every single fill-up.
It depends on the vehicle, IMHO. My truck's low fuel light comes on after using 16 gallons, but the tank holds a little over 21 gallons and I've filled it with a little over 20 gallons once or twice.
I average a little over 16 MPG, so from all the figures above I know that I can go 64 miles after the light pops on. This setting for the low fuel light seems a little conservative to me.
Since I use FP in pre-measured bottles for 16 gallons of fuel, I like to run my truck until the low fuel light pops on, then head to the nearest gas station.
I average a little over 16 MPG, so from all the figures above I know that I can go 64 miles after the light pops on. This setting for the low fuel light seems a little conservative to me.
Since I use FP in pre-measured bottles for 16 gallons of fuel, I like to run my truck until the low fuel light pops on, then head to the nearest gas station.
I drive with the light on after every fillup, the car gets better gas mileage the lower it goes.(the car weights less) And I can usually get 50-60 more miles before refilling.
In my 95 Accord, I actually start getting sick.
It pretty much means you better have a store in sight.
I messed up one day and after about 3 miles of the light being on (and passing 4 gas stations), I went loafering into a gun store downtown. This was 3 days before Christmas, heavy traffic. I parked on the street, at an angle to the curb. Downhill.
When I returned, The car wouldn't crank. I was sitting there, shaking the car, holding in the clutch, cranking, and waiting on it to fire so I could gently pop the clutch to allow me to backup where it was slightly more level, all the while with traffic going by.
Luckily, I didn't have to round up three people to help me push it out to level ground.
It pretty much means you better have a store in sight.
I messed up one day and after about 3 miles of the light being on (and passing 4 gas stations), I went loafering into a gun store downtown. This was 3 days before Christmas, heavy traffic. I parked on the street, at an angle to the curb. Downhill.
When I returned, The car wouldn't crank. I was sitting there, shaking the car, holding in the clutch, cranking, and waiting on it to fire so I could gently pop the clutch to allow me to backup where it was slightly more level, all the while with traffic going by.
Luckily, I didn't have to round up three people to help me push it out to level ground.
My TJ's light comes up with 4 gallons left in the tank. I usually go 40 miles and then fill up. I have stretched it one time on a trip and went 71 miles with the light on and filled 18.2 of 19 gallon tank.
Oh a gas pump.
Thanks.
Thanks.
I didnt mention earlier, I drive about 100 miles a day and fill up usually twice a week.
I recall in the past hearing stories that you shouldnt let your tank get low, I do this often...is there really any reason for concern?
I recall in the past hearing stories that you shouldnt let your tank get low, I do this often...is there really any reason for concern?
ShortBuSX - like Moribundman said, the electric fuel pump is in the tank and relies on the gas for cooling, you run the risk of overheating and shortening the life of the pump.
Pablo - the Odyssey light comes on w/5 gallons left unless they changed it. Flat bottom tank....
Pablo - the Odyssey light comes on w/5 gallons left unless they changed it. Flat bottom tank....
So now I dont have to worry about the tank rusting out...Ive gotta worry about the fuel pump getting too hot? I mean come on...my tanks capacity is 12.6 gallons and the most I ever push it is 11.7 before I get too scared and pull over, so its not like Im runnin it bone dry....should I still be concerned about overheating the fuel pump?
In the wife's vehicle, I try not to let it get below 1/2 a tank (about 150-200 miles to empty).
In mine, I usualy don't even worry about filling till 1/4 tank, and every so often the light comes on, the fuel light comes on with ~ 50 miles till empty on the computer. I have had it as low as 13 miles to empty once, and once it had the flashing ----- and I got 15 gallons in a 14.5 gallon tank, and this was without topping it off.
Most of my driving is highway though, so I still only fill mine every 10-12 days (about every 450 miles).
In mine, I usualy don't even worry about filling till 1/4 tank, and every so often the light comes on, the fuel light comes on with ~ 50 miles till empty on the computer. I have had it as low as 13 miles to empty once, and once it had the flashing ----- and I got 15 gallons in a 14.5 gallon tank, and this was without topping it off.
Most of my driving is highway though, so I still only fill mine every 10-12 days (about every 450 miles).
My low fuel light comes on at 1/8 tank on the guage. I drive about 3 miles to work, so it can be on for days at a time. When I used to drive long distances to work I could let it go up to 40 miles and I never ran out of gas.
My wifes vehicle (2001 Mercury) doesn't have a low fuel light. It has a "check guages" light. It won't come on until the gas guage is on E.
edit: FWIW, I have had my low fuel light on routinly in my vehicle for 150k miles now - almost every tank full. The gas tank has been replaced because of rust that I found when a strap rusted out, but the fuel pump is original.
[ February 07, 2006, 10:49 PM: Message edited by: medic ]
My wifes vehicle (2001 Mercury) doesn't have a low fuel light. It has a "check guages" light. It won't come on until the gas guage is on E.
edit: FWIW, I have had my low fuel light on routinly in my vehicle for 150k miles now - almost every tank full. The gas tank has been replaced because of rust that I found when a strap rusted out, but the fuel pump is original.
[ February 07, 2006, 10:49 PM: Message edited by: medic ]
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