Stevestr

Woohoo officially burned my first full tank of gas today.

With 47 Miles to go according to the trip computer and the gas gauge still a bit from E my yellow low fuel light popped on.

Doesn't this seem a bit premature?

Also, when the light came on I only needed 13 gallons out of the 17 the tank can hold.

Raheel

Maybe theres a hole in your tank, Or maybe your car only has like 15 gallon tank

jackspat2

Yup. 15 gallon tank. They jiped you. ^_-

moda_way

I've been through 3 tanks of gas and each time the light has come on and I've been able to stuff 12 to 13 gallons into the tank. I think the light is just set to come on just as a reminder and not a warning necessarily. My buddy's Prelude does the same thing.

Now, in my BMW, the light would come on with 2 gallons left and that is a few quick runs.

You don't want a truly low tank because the pump is cooled by the fuel.

Gboyz78

The warning light is just a reminder that you have at least 2-4 gallons left in your tank. I also believe that the trip computer always gives you a lower estimated miles left on the tank. I drove a Mitsubishi Montero 02' to North Carolina and the trip computer went to 0 miles, but the tank still got around 3 gallons left. I hope this info will help.

Iceman

Yeah, this bugs me too. Why install a 17 gallon tank if you are going to turn on the warning light at the 13 gallon mark? It would be really neat if Honda would let us set our own threshold for the warning light! I'd set it at 14-15 gallons, not 13.

ebcheon

why don't more people just go by the gauge? forget the light... if the gas gauge hand is pointing at E, then you need gas. i don't really care about the light...

ClutchPerformer

AMEN!

ClutchPerformer

No offense, but.........why would you do that?

sauceman

I have found that the low fuel light is very accurate. When it lights up, driving at a rate of 36mpg, I can still ride for about 120 miles before needing to fill up. If it's more at 30 mpg, I would stop at 90 miles, on the safe side. But I can assure you that I have never had a gas guage and light so accurate and reliable before. It is a very good source to rely on.

larchmont

Yes, definitely. Not that we want to count on it, among other reasons because it's not good for the car to run the gas so low (BTW is this really true? We always hear it.......) I've run the TSX down below where the Trip Computer said zero.

Also, although I have personal experience only with Acuras, I understand from "the other site" that Honda in general designs their fuel gauges very "conservatively" -- i.e. to warn you earlier than in most other cars.

Stevestr

Thanks. You have to understand I am coming from the hellish world of GM and Pontiacs where the light didn't pop on until the needle was almost on E. This was just a surprise is all. Not an unpleasant one just a curiosity.

I just assumed the light on the TSX wouldn't pop on until there was almost 2 gallons left or the needle was almost touching E.

It seems that on the RSX my friend has, the needle almost has to hit E before the fuel lamp goes on.

Thanks for all the help so far though.

sauceman

I've heard this many times too. I've had cars I brought up to very high mileages, and I have never experienced any problems that could be related to running a tank dry. I have had many problems on my cars, especially on my 95 EX, but never anything related to the fuel line, pumps or filters, nor the catalyst, and once the o2 sensor, but that was related to the CAI installation.

So I don't believe in this anymore.:shakehd:

Iceman

sauceman

That's nice of you.

Here's the experience I have on the road with my cars:

87 Accord Dx: Driven for 15,625 miles crashed it at 210,000miles
89 Accord Lx: Driven for 156,250 miles gave up on it at 232,500 miles
90 Civic Dx: Driven for 15,625 miles, sold it at 140,625 miles
95 Accord EX: Driven for 332,500 miles, sold it at 385,000 miles
04 TSX: Driven for 8750 pleasurable miles, will keep for at least 300,000+ miles
Various other cars: 16,000 miles (rental, etc.)
Total: 544,750 miles of driving experience in 9 years.

Now when I say I experienced something on the road, I know what I am talking about. And there's no use for me to bullshit about anything, no one wins at this game.

Please! Is that all you got to say??:thumbsdn:

larchmont

Hey, sauce -- If you're reacting to ice's post: I'm pretty sure that on this board, "stupid" is actually a term of endearment.

Seriously.

sauceman

Oh. The if I misinterpreted, then
If not, well... you know where I stand.

fdl

EVen though you have been ok in the past always running on fumes..it is generally not a good idea and should be avoided. I have personally had a fuel pump go most likely for this reason.

I posted this on the other site but I will post here again....

On fuel injected vehicles the fuel pump, mounted inside the gas tank, is cooled by the gasoline that surrounds it. Insufficient gas in the tank can allow the pump to overheat.

Further, if the fuel filter is dirty the pump works harder to move the gasoline from the tank to the engine. More work, more amperage, more heat and more wear on the fuel pump.

The bad news is that in hot weather, when gasoline returns to the tank from the hot engine (these systems continuously recirculate fuel between the tank and the engine) its cooling capability is diminished, further shortening the life of the pump.

Another reason is to prevent contamination from getting into the gas line. Whatever moisture or sediment may be in the tank is more likely to be drawn into the system when the tank is nearly empty. That can cause the engine to run poorly or stall out completely.

Count Blah

My fuel light's on now. At least it's not as obtrusive and alarming as it is in some other cars. Still, I think I'll fill up tomorrow. According to the gauge, I still have roughly 1/8th of a tank = 2+ gallons?

larchmont

I bet you have 5 gallons. But, yeah -- fill up!

P.S. Great post, FDL -- now I remember that one.