panzer948

Hi all, still learning my 2.3 CL after buying it used with no manual. I've filled it up 3 times now and each time I put about 14 gallons of gas in it. Today, I was on the phone and drove it a little further than I was planning too. Didn't notice till I got off the phone that I was past E around the bottom end of the thick E hash mark. The fuel dummy light wasn't on but at this point I figured it must not work since I have never seen it come on. Worried I was going to run out, I immediately found the nearest gas station and breathed a sigh of relief that i made it. I went 414 miles on that tank of gas and averaged 29 MPG. However, only put 14.3 gallons of gas in it (stopped filling it after first click off from nozzle).

So.. I just looked online and it says it can hold 17.3 gallons of gas! Based on that, I had another 3 gallons go go before I went empty! So what's the story here. Does the idiot light come on way past E and if so what does it indicate? My 2 previous cars indicated I usually had another 40 miles to go when the gas light came on.

What kind of total range do you guys get while primarily driving on Interstate at speeds of 70+MPG?

Just trying to learn more since it appears I still had a ways to go before emptying the tank.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

You have a 3 gallon reserve tank. If you let it go, it will jump up to 1/4 tank and the gas light will come on once that drains down

timeizmoney22

I'm laughing over here because i've had my CL for over 3 years now and always assumed it didn't work as well. I've let it go pretty far on the E line but never tested it too much. Maybe after hearing this I'll put a gallon of gas in the trunk and see if I can make the light come on.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I used to never fill up until after I saw the needle jump back up to 1/4 tank and then go to empty

Cocoa

iTrader: (2)

I tried that once.

Light never came on and made it to below E. I ended up pushing the car.

97'CL2.2

ive ran my car down till the light has come on numerous times...I have NEVER noticed my fuel level jump up to the 1/4 mark....what gives?

panzer948

okay, for those of you that have let it drop down to below E while mostly interstate driving; what kind of range did you get. Like I said, I got 414. Curious if I could have gotten a lot more.

timeizmoney22

I feel like this would be my outcome if I attempted it lol!

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

I don't understand why people let their gas go all the to E if not need be. I don't like the crap that's been sitting on the bottom of the gas tank to go into the engine. Hence I don't let it pass 1/4

97'CL2.2

I think you couldhave gotten atleast 450...ive been there

Cocoa

iTrader: (2)

Although a popular statement that goes around, it is in fact not the issue with driving around nearly on empty continuously.

The fuel pump IS located at the bottom of the tank. With that said, when you drive around on E, you are exposing the fuel pump which causes it to overheat and can result in premature failure. Being submerged in gasoline helps keep the fuel pump at lower operating temperatures. Now whether or not just having fuel run through the pump is sufficient cooling for the pump, is up for argument.