Gas Guage Question

Dr. Jimbo · 05-03-2007, 01:31 PM

My little gas pump light goes on at about when 2 bars are left on the gas guage. I've run it down to no bars showing on the guage. When I go to fill up, it only takes 10 to 10.5 gallons (13.2 gallon tank). Anybody have any experience of running out of gas and how many miles it was from the little gas pump going on until you had to get out and push? I have an '01 S.
Thanks,
Jimbo

Swingle1 · 05-03-2007, 03:47 PM

Depending on the mpg you're getting, I'd say you might be able to go another 50-70 miles after you lose the last bar.
I can't speak with authority on Hondas, but my experience is that fuel gauges aren't necessarily the same from one car to the next. I don't think I'd trust anyone else's experience with their car.
Me... I don't run it that low. But then again, I haven't had a reason to run outta gas since I quit dating girls who still live with their parents.

Java Junky · 05-03-2007, 08:11 PM

"I don't think I'd trust anyone else's experience with their car."
I don't think that I can find fault with Swingle's assessment Doc.
I'm also of the mind that I try never to let it run that low. Try bein' the key word.
But be advised that a tank that holds 13.2 gallons could have an engine starvin' for fuel with only 12.5 gallons of fuel expended. Depends on the car, depends on the tank . . . hell! Depends if you're goin' up r' downhill.
Be well.
Java

Dr. Jimbo · 05-04-2007, 10:35 AM

I figured as much. I know they're all a little different, I was just lookin' for a ballpark number. My wife's Xterra runs out less than 20 miles after the light goes on. What prompted me to ask is the last time it went on, I got off an unknown freeway expecting to find gas. I kept going and going and still no station. I went over 40 miles on dead empty (I was friggin' lost) before I found some gas. I filled up and still had over a gallon left.
I'll take your advice and not let it go that low. I was havin' a great time cruisin' and keeping an eye out for the CHP. Guess I should look at the gas as well as the tach.
Thanks for the info,
Jimbo

Java Junky · 05-04-2007, 11:48 AM

Doc, it's more'n just a convenience thing.
With aircraft (which suffer an additional problem when they fuel-starve: they fall down) the tanks are always topped when they land (least wayz that's how it use'ta be). Reason bein' with the tank full there's less room for condensation/water inclusion caused by air space.
Samey-same any fuel tank, especially when you've got climate changes involvin' humidity.
Maybe we ain't gonna fall oud'a the sky if we get water in the line, but barrin' that ungood aspect of it, it still ain't fun.
All that said, I still find myself runnin' into the lower half'a the gauge more'n I'd like, somethin' that I've never done as much with anythin' else. 'Muss be fun ta drive r' somethin' . . . ya think?
Be well.
Java

Dr. Jimbo · 05-04-2007, 01:07 PM

Thanks Java, didn't know about that moisture thing. Makes sense. So I guess I'll go out, fill'er up and change that brake fluid too. No wonder my old VW (always on empty) ran like crap and my brake lines would rot out (never changed the fluid).
Thanks for all the valuable info.
Jimbo

05-03-2007, 01:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dr. Jimbo Top Always Down Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca. Posts: 1,532	Gas Guage Question My little gas pump light goes on at about when 2 bars are left on the gas guage. I've run it down to no bars showing on the guage. When I go to fill up, it only takes 10 to 10.5 gallons (13.2 gallon tank). Anybody have any experience of running out of gas and how many miles it was from the little gas pump going on until you had to get out and push? I have an '01 S. Thanks, Jimbo

05-03-2007, 08:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 6,628	"I don't think I'd trust anyone else's experience with their car." I don't think that I can find fault with Swingle's assessment Doc. I'm also of the mind that I try never to let it run that low. Try bein' the key word. But be advised that a tank that holds 13.2 gallons could have an engine starvin' for fuel with only 12.5 gallons of fuel expended. Depends on the car, depends on the tank . . . hell! Depends if you're goin' up r' downhill. Be well. Java __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

05-04-2007, 11:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 6,628	Doc, it's more'n just a convenience thing. With aircraft (which suffer an additional problem when they fuel-starve: they fall down) the tanks are always topped when they land (least wayz that's how it use'ta be). Reason bein' with the tank full there's less room for condensation/water inclusion caused by air space. Samey-same any fuel tank, especially when you've got climate changes involvin' humidity. Maybe we ain't gonna fall oud'a the sky if we get water in the line, but barrin' that ungood aspect of it, it still ain't fun. All that said, I still find myself runnin' into the lower half'a the gauge more'n I'd like, somethin' that I've never done as much with anythin' else. 'Muss be fun ta drive r' somethin' . . . ya think? Be well. Java __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

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05-03-2007, 03:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Swingle1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 762	Depending on the mpg you're getting, I'd say you might be able to go another 50-70 miles after you lose the last bar. I can't speak with authority on Hondas, but my experience is that fuel gauges aren't necessarily the same from one car to the next. I don't think I'd trust anyone else's experience with their car. Me... I don't run it that low. But then again, I haven't had a reason to run outta gas since I quit dating girls who still live with their parents.

05-04-2007, 10:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dr. Jimbo Top Always Down Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca. Posts: 1,532	I figured as much. I know they're all a little different, I was just lookin' for a ballpark number. My wife's Xterra runs out less than 20 miles after the light goes on. What prompted me to ask is the last time it went on, I got off an unknown freeway expecting to find gas. I kept going and going and still no station. I went over 40 miles on dead empty (I was friggin' lost) before I found some gas. I filled up and still had over a gallon left. I'll take your advice and not let it go that low. I was havin' a great time cruisin' and keeping an eye out for the CHP. Guess I should look at the gas as well as the tach. Thanks for the info, Jimbo

05-04-2007, 01:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dr. Jimbo Top Always Down Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca. Posts: 1,532	Thanks Java, didn't know about that moisture thing. Makes sense. So I guess I'll go out, fill'er up and change that brake fluid too. No wonder my old VW (always on empty) ran like crap and my brake lines would rot out (never changed the fluid). Thanks for all the valuable info. Jimbo