Fray Adjacent wrote:
Quote:
IIRC, I've also heard that the fuel light (in most cars) is designed to come on when you have about 50 miles range left... before the reserve is invaded.
To really tell, one of us would have to drive until the engine quits and then measure the amount of gas goes in until the pump stops the first time... but neither of us will risk damaging anything, so that test won't get done!
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I have done this, mostly. I had calculated with my 35 MPG average that I could squeeze about 55 miles out after the light came on (assuming 1.7 gallons left when it comes on). Alas, it was not to be...
Very soon after hitting 50 miles (freeway driving, about 70 mph) the gas ran OUT (this was about 11:00 pm). The engine became sluggish going up the final hill before an exit, and as I crested, going about 40 or 45, I finally decided to put it in N, and it died. I coasted about 0.5 mile downhill to the exit, made an almost-no-brakes right into the "keep moving" lane (EPS FTW!) and immediately into the gas station. We only had to push it about 35 feet to the pump.
They were closing up, and had locked the doors, but at my pleading they turned the pumps back on (it said "warm start" or somesuch) and I filled it almost to the max.
11.9 gallons. Not 'to the first click', I know, but I know I could have put more in. (Upon reflection, I believe I put in 1.5 to 2 gallons in after the first click)
I don't know how well this elucidates the issue of overall capacity, but 1.7 is definitely the reserve. Don't push 50 miles unless you're hypermiling.
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Best tank: 518.1 miles, 47 MPG -- Best commute: 50.3 in, 45 out
'07 NHBP Sport AT
Previous owner's mods: Tint front and back, Mugen visors
My mods: Floor mats, Skunk2 50mm catback, T1R carbon fiber intake, T1R hood damper, T1R response header, independent fog lights, bronze 15x6.5 Konig Heliums in 195/55-15 Kumho Ecsta ASX's, Blitz throttle controller