A little while ago there was a discussion about how many miles you can go after the computer indicates "Range 0 miles". The general consensus was that you should be able to go at least 50 miles past 0 range and still be alright. WRONG!

Last night I parked my car at my apartment with 30 miles past the range 0 mark. This morning, I got in it to start it and it ran for about 5 seconds, then sputtered and died. I didn't drive it any differently than usual during those last 30 miles.

I used the Acura Care roadside assistance to get 2 gallons of gas delivered to my car, which by the way was really good. It took the service man 15 minutes to get to my car, and the entire process was really easy.

But, let this be a warning to those of you who tempt fate by going past the 0 range mark! I went 50 miles past 0 like 3 times before and every time I still had like a gallon left. But I learned my lesson. I'll never let that happen again. Just thought I'd let you all know so that you don't find yourself in the same situation as I do. Just don't tempt it!

 

why does it matter. you should never run out of gas unless there is a hole in your take or a mass shortage of fuel.

 

you must have gotten like 15 mpg to run out of 2 gallons of fuel

 

My tank has never seen the 1/4th line. I'm doing city driving most of the time so when ever I have $15 or $20 extra dollars in my pocket I'll just stop and put it in the tank. There is no reason to let it fall down so low, it equals out in the end anyways. I guess I could spend $40 once a week, but I stop and spend $20 twice.

 

I've never understood why people let it get so low in the first place. If the light's on, get gas. Who cares how much farther you can potentially go?

 

AGREED!!!!!!!

 

I refill at half tank. Never even seen the gas light come on. Ever. Better to be safe, I say.

 

i drove with the gas light on for a day, and filled it up today and she took 16.5 gal when it stopped... Man i was really low. Usually im putting in 13.6 gal...

 

It's a great comfort to know that when the range shows "0" you can still squeeze out a few more miles. I personally fill up at about half tank. You never know when a disaster will strike and all the gas you have left is what's in your tank.

 

Uuugh, that service man's gross 87 octane gas is contaminating my engine now. I feel so bad for my poor car

 

i don't get gas until the light comes on.

 

Running the car on empty long-term could cause the fuel pump to wear out and have to walk to the gas station when the Acura roadside assistance runs out

Check this out http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...8/June/04.html

 

im lazy to fill up

 

I thought carrying around extra weight was bad. 16 * 8 is 128 lbs. But I would still put gas in when the MID said zero.

 

You guys do realize how bad it is for your fuel pump to drive on the low fuel warning light right? And if you think youre saving yourself money youre not because youre going to fill up either way and youre burning that extra gas regardless.

 

actually studying local gas trends, you do save the money because the gas prices are going down, by waiting that extra day or two. yes you still burn the gas, but the price you paid for 12 gallons of gas if the price goes down by 5 cents is 60 cents, that may not be a lot in your world, but over the course of a year, that equals a free tank of gas =)

Granted I don't really believe in all the above, I fill up when the light turns on*, I don't even pay attention to the range.

*because if I am out of my normal gas-station area, i will wait till I get back into my normal area (unless the gas where I am at is cheaper)

 

That was the first time I had to use Acura Roadside Assistance because I thought the same thing, too. LMAO I fill up when the light comes on now. And yeah, that 87 is nasty! It made my car hella sluggish.

 

Would anyone like to explain to me why having the low fuel light on causes short fuel pump life?

Just curious.

Tom

 

Well I have a 2000 so I dont have a range thing but normally I fill at about half or a little under and im glad to see other people too (I thought i was the only anal person in the world about that). I look at the gas gauge as much as the speedomotor so i hate it low. One time i had a lot to do and i let the little came on I thought i was gonna go into a coma so from now always at about 1/2 or a little less. I filled my car up today before I got home (it was about 2 lines under half) and right now its above the F. No greater feeling then when your gauge is above the F.

 

Bogus........

Most in-tank fuel pumps actually have the fuel flow through the pump/motor assembly thus heat buildup would be near equal whether fuel was around the pump/motor or not. Also, some will say that running a tank empty causes additional crap to be sucked into the pump.... Not the case either. Every in-tank pump I have ever worked on had what is better known as a "sock" or initial filter etc..

Bottom line, your biggest worry of driving around with low fuel is still "running out of gas".... If it was something mechanical, your owners manual would state a caution, note, or warning..

 

Any truth to the theory that the bottom of the tank is where any sludgy or particulate material would be, thereby causing impared performance if sucked into the engine? I know, there is a fuel filter, and the fuel pump/pickup is probably not the lowest point in the tank.... Just wondering.

 

Like you mentioned, you have the main fuel filter as well as the pre filter/"sock" that prevents "stuff" from entering the pump within the tank. Thus stuff from the tank should never remotely find its way to the engine...
Usually the pump "pick-up" is at a location that would represent the lowest area of the tank... Though most tanks are near flat on the bottom and the pump/pick-up is within a baffled area etc..

From all my years and numerous pump swaps/tank removals I have only found one "sock" within the tank that was near the point of clogged... This tank had definitely seen large amounts of moisture and had rusted badly over the years.

Another good reason to keep your tank full if you live in the colder/northern states... Less air in the tank = less moisture formation....

 

 

After having to walk home 7 miles at 3 am down the side of a dark Arizona freeway in my late teens 'cause my VW ran out of gas, I will never let my gas gauge show less than 1/4 tank. Never, never, never!

 

Ugh man I have to fill up almost every 3 days = /

 

Anyone know the cost of replacing the fuel pump?

 

im guessing its about 300 for the pump. figure at least 200 bucks labor.

 

I assume from reading this post the TL (mine's an 06) has a low fuel alarm. When does this come on, and is it an audible or does a light show on the dash? I once was down to a reading of "Range 60 miles" and no alarm. Maybe I need to have the dealer check my car.

 

The yellow low fuel warning light (visual warning only, no audio) comes on at approx 35 Miles Range.

 

It's like that episode of Seinfeld where Kramer test drives that Saab? and tries to push the limits of the gas tank...hahaha.

Some people like to live dangerously...

Personally I get gas right before the range hits 0 miles, around 5-10. My fill up is very consistant at about 14 gallons at that point, give or take 0.3 gallons. Doesn't our car have a 16 gallon tank or something...can't remember off the top of my head. So technically even in poor driving conditions, ie 15 mpg, you should still have about 30 miles after the MID hits 0. Not that I'm promoting going past 0...but it's nice to know that there's still gas in there after the 0 miles mark.

 

Thanks for the tank description, KJSmitty.

I traditionally fill'er up when fuel gets down between 1/4 and 1/8 tank. Since following this thread, I waited to see the warning light come on.

My fuel warning light didn't illuminte today until I reached 29 Mile Raange. Within that mile, the light went back off. I stopped the gas station at 25 Mile Range. The light was still off when I pumped in 13.167 gallons. Before resetting the trip computer, it was showing my average mpg was 22.

I think I'll stick with the "fill'er up at 1/8th of a tank" plan.... My '06 is 90 days old and has about 1,100 miles.

 

I would presume driving it low on gas would pick up the crap on the bottom of the tank. You might need to replace a fuel filter earlier...

 

Like I said early there is nothing like that feeling when you fill up your car and it goes above the F.