In a post from 2004,

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...y+observations

the posters agreed that there was approx 3 gallons remaining in the tank when the MID indicated "0 miles to empty". Therefore, you could safely reach "0 miles to empty" without fear of actually running out of fuel.

But I am curious if the 2006 model is configured the same. In the 2006, the MID terminology has changed from "miles to empty" to "Range".

So, has anyone ran out of fuel (defined as the engine stops) *before* the MID's RANGE has indicated "0 miles" ?

 

My range was at around 6mi last night, and I decided to see how many gallons I actually had left when my range was at 0. I drove around for a bit, and when I filled up the tank it only took a little under 14 gallons, so I guess nothing's changed.

 

No. I've had it on 0 for two days before and drove quite a bit during that time.

 

Haha that's pretty cool.

I have no problem letting it run until the range says 0. I usually run it to 0 or close to it every time and then I fill up. I try not to go over 20-30 miles after it. I usually fill 14.5 gallons after 0.

 

Yup, I do the same.

 

The only change made was to change "miles to empty" to "range", which acknowledges the fact that this is a variable figure. The calculating process is still the same as I posted in the link you referenced.

 

Have to remember that they need to take women into account when they design range meters and empty lights.

 

i think that probably works better the other way. a woman would think "oh i need to get gas, the light is on" while the guy says "fuck it, these things always come on early, it will make it..."

 

As others have stated driving around with the "Zero miles left" is really not an issue. The BEST way to do this safely is to understand your average MPG and then to reset either of the trip odometer's to Zero and then watch that. Since there are 3 gallons left, you've got 3 times whatever your average MPG is. On the interstate, I can average 30MPG. I've driven over 70 miles WHILE ON ZERO using this method (During the day and knew the roads and all conditions so was really not an issue as I figured I still had a 20 mile buffer. When I filled up, the number of gallons confirmed my perceptions. If it goes to ZERO while I am in town, I simply use the conservative 20MPG estimate and make certain I get fuel before I go 40 miles (my in-town MPG is slightly over 23)

 

i usually fill up when the range is in the single digits. nice to know i can push it a little further from now on though.

 

I asked the market area service rep for Acura about this once, he told me that They dont want to see Acuras and Hondas on the side of the road and seen as "unreliable". Therefore they do this on purpose. I frequently go 50 miles beyond the "0" miles range and fill up at 15 to 16 gallons. I've never put more than 16 gallons in the tank.

 

I went about 65 miles past the "0" miles range mark once and still had about a gallon left in the tank.

In fact, just this morning, I was about 45 miles past "0 miles" and had about 2 gallons left.

 

Reminds me of the first 1984 Corvette I saw on the road and never forgot- it was being hoisted onto a flatbed from the side of the road where it had broken down...

My 1988 Integra didn't have a gas light, so I filled up when the needle was just a little above "E." I try to fill up before or just as the TL's gas light comes on, without regard to the MID "range." The most I've ever put in was somewhat less than 15 gallons, when the MID indicated 3 miles range.

 

sub, I think you display a much better understanding of the female mind than geekybiker does!

As a female who seldom lets the needle get below 1/4, why the hell would you intentionally give yourself the stress of driving around on a nearly empty tank? I guess I don't understand the male mind.

 

It's not stress, it's a GAME, woman! Challenging the gas gauge is a COMPETITION we testosterone-laden men MUST WIN, dammit!!!

Oooh... meds taking effect now...gotta stop for gas....

 

 

Well, you see you both assume that they are checking the gauges. Alot of women seem to be.... car unaware, and happily drive for weeks with things like check engine lights on.

If they actually check the gauges, I think you'd be right.

 

^ - I still think your wrong. My girlfriend doesnt like cars, but every time a light comes on (aside from the gas light) I get a phone call. I think most are at least in tune to what flashes on the dashboard and ask questions.

 

Maybe it's not the difference between the sexes. My wife will definitely put gas in the Hondas when the gas light comes on, but she tries to do it before it gets to that point. On the other hand, I've had to help women put oil into their VW Golfs and Jettas since their oil pressure lights were on for days. One VW driver said the light had been on for a week, then asked me if she needed to put in more than a quart of oil since she was going to her mechanic for a service after the weekend anyway...

I therefore agree with subinf for female Japanese car drivers, but geekybiker is right with regards to female VW owners.

 

I guess its all in who you know.

 

Just my , My girlfriends sister has a new toyota camry. She got the oil changed before her recent trip to vegas. She's been back for about two weeks, and she told me last night that she thinks somethings wrong w/ her car-trouble starting or something. I go to look at it, oil is dripping down her bumper, through the grill, scary sight. Open the hood, and there is no oil cap. I said, when did you get your oil changed, she said about 3 & 1\2 weeks ago. I looked at her gauges, she didn't know the check engine light was on, cuz she has a picture stuffed in front of her gauge, blocking it. P.S. Cars fucked. Put oil in, finally got it to start, it knocks and rattles up a storm. Scary. reset battery, check engine stays on. GIRLS!

 

Frankly, I hardly ever use that feature of the MID. I think I have used it three times in 24,000 miles. The buttons controlling the MID are a PITA to use because of their location behind the steering wheel.

 

OK, all this talk made me wonder? Do we have an auto-shut off if we run it to low on fuel? My daughters Mini van does. She ran it so low once that it shut off on her. If we run it out of fuel is the fuel pump in danger of failing? Some cars (I heard) can damage the pump if you run them out.

Also how big is our tank? I know I could look in the book. But thats way out there.....

 

Like others.. I have gone over by about 45 miles and still put in less than 16 gallons...

BUT, on my other car which has a 17 gallon tank... I ran out on the freeway (thought I could make it....) and coasted to the gas station... there was enough gas to keep the engine running, but if you pushed the gas... nothing... and I could only put in 16.5 gallons... I would say there was gas in the tank, but not enough for the fuel pump to give me any motion...

I would not chance it that much.. but you can do 40 easily if needed...

 

Yeah, a woman might think that... if she weren't busy gabbing away on the phone and putting her makeup on while making lane changes without signaling.

 

Just remember that a lot of these in tank fuel pumps are lubricated by the gas .. running it low could cause premature pump failure..

 

I would never take a chance when the low fuel light is lit. I may drive the car for a few more miles and try to find the nearest gas station. Driving with low gas is not good for the car or the fuel pump. Since you WILL need gas eventually, why take unnecessary risks with your beloved car?

Just last week, I saw a chump dragging himself (probably after a long walk) to a gas station to buy one gallon of fuel, and he was complaining about how expensive it was to spend $15 for a small plastic emergency fuel container at the station. I am quite sure that he learned his lesson ... in a hard way.

 

For the 06 TL, the fuel tank capacity is 17.1 U.S. gallons (64.7 liters).

I usually fill up when the MID reads in the teens or single digits - mostly due to laziness - unless I have to go to the gas station for something else anyway. But it's good to know that I can still drive for a while on 0. Now I have an excuse to be even lazier. My wife will love that.

 

Ding Ding Ding ! I think we have the answer. Why did it take so long ?

All the tales I've ever heard recommend not letting things get to low. The reasons I can think of are
- What Jesstzn said
- Any crap in the tank will be in higher concentration and probably end up in the fuel filter sooner. That isn't what you want.
- Moisture concentrations can also go up as you start to run on fumes. That's a bigger issue as we get into the cold seasons.
- How much it sucks to leave your TL on the side of the highway as you walk for gas or call for assistance.

Alas if you lease with no intention of buying than you probably could care less. I put the above more in the concerns for those of us that are in it for the long haul.

 

I like to let my range run down to zero, and take a nice long drive across the state. Each time I come up to a gas station, I'm very tempted to pull in, but my friend in the passenger seat with the scraggly hair says "don't do it, you'll regret it! Keep going!" So I keep going. Screw the gas gauge! And I gotta tell you, it feels GREAT!

 

I have too....0 doesnt mean JACK!