A question for fellow 4Gers - has anyone calculated how much fuel is really is really left when the "range" gets to zero? I (inadvertently) rode mine down to zero and it only took 17.9 gallons (without overfilling) - it seems like more reserve than necessary.

 

I didn't do any calculations, however this morning I found myself down to about 23 miles range left so I filled the tank before trekking to the office. It only took 15.8 gallons. If the tank holds 18.5 gallons, if my range of 23 miles or approximately 1 gallon is correct and I only required 15.8 gallons without overfilling, then there would be approximately 1.7 gallons remaining when my range would read 0 miles.

 

Why take the chance? The reserve is there for your protection...and to protect the engine. If the needle is on "E," put the fuel in......this isn't rocket science. Besides, gas is cheap.

 

perhaps you have not filled up in a bad neighborhood or ever been late to something because you stopped for gas.

 

I agree that I like to know my range and have a confident feel as to how far I can push things before I'm in danger. I don't normally let a car get down to almost no gas, however my commute is more than an hour long and 58 miles between home and the office. Knowing this, I can make an informed decision as to whether or not I need to pump gas in a snowstorm or not. Its the same reason that its nice to have a range counter in the first place. Anyway, until gas pumps itself, people will always want to know how far they can go on a tank.

 

There's a little thing called the Trip Computer...in there, there's also this little thing called "Distance to Empty".....I never let it get below 10 miles before filling up.

 

I run my 2005 TL to about 2 miles below 0 few times, so I'm guessing the new TL should be similar.

 

I was told it's not good to empty the tank as junk and gook that sits on the very bottom might go in the injectors, is this true? But the lowest I've gotten, the MID displayed you have 34 miles left, so I filled her up.

 

I saw about 30 or 35 miles range left when the reserve light came on.

More important is that fuel is what protects the fuel pump itself - run it empty or even close to it and you shorten the life of the pump (can burn it out)

 

I used to think that, but honesly think this is left over for days gone by when fuel filters were not as good. The injection system in modner cars is such a precise system that I am sure the fuel delivery system (ie, filter) is capable of filtering out stuff that can harm the injectors. That being said I still avoid filling up at a station if they are getting a delivery (same concept the gushing in delivery is kicking up debris in the tank) and I get fule when the warning light comes on. Even if there was stuff in your tank the gas is sloshing around in there as you drive, I'm sure anything in there keeps getting churned up and about in the tank.

 

You are right my friend but here in the heartland the stations aren't so frequent. . plus it went from "12" to "zero" in about 3 miles. . .

 

Thanks Keith, I figured as much. Actually I shouldn't let the gauge go below 1/3 of a tank as I live in Earthquake country, you might have to relocate quickly and stations may not be open.

 

Not sure if you're looking for the technical answer, but the owners manual says the following on page 73:
When the indicator comes on, there are about 2.5 U.S. gal on SH-AWD models, and 2.8 U.S. gal on 2WD models of fuel remaining in the tank.

 

Welcome to the forums.

I sent you a PM, which you should see the next time you log in, so please comply with it and send me an email with your reply.

 

that is one reason, another is that the TL uses fuel to keep the pump cool. If there is not fuel, it will heat up excessively and slowly kill itself.

 

So if you know your running out of gas, and you let it die, is that considered suicide? or genocide? :-)

 

I can't believe some one never tried to run out of gas, just for sake of test...