Running out of fuel

[raymondj]

just how accurate is the mileage range guideline?

I had a bit of a squeaky bum moment yesterday, when on the motorway and down to a remaining range of 40 miles - which was more than adequate to get me to my destination and fill up off the motorway to more realist fuel prices when the 40 miles digit changed to an ugly red warning icon that frightened the life in me even though I was informed a minute earlier I was good for 40 miles.

Anyone had the misfortune to be able to answer me accurately?

Gentlemen, don't be shy, I have never laughed at the clown walking on his own with a plastic container that looks similar to something you would fill up with fuel if you happened to have run out somewhere......lol

 

[A.J.]

I think that the fuel range adjusts in 5 mile increments too doesn't it ?

 

[raymondj]

I think that the fuel range adjusts in 5 mile increments too doesn't it ?

Up until 40 remaining miles.....

 

[LostKiwi]

We've had our 210 down to 2 miles once...... that was buttock clenching!

 

[A.J.]

I remember the old VX Cavaliers used to have 40/50 miles left when the fuel gauge was showing empty !!

 

[A.J.]

I remember the old VX Cavaliers used to have 40/50 miles left when the fuel gauge was showing empty !!

 

[turbopete]

I seem to recall someone driving about 6 miles with the range reading zero miles left. possibly even me, I cant remember now as for a while I was permanently driving with the low fuel warning light on (out of work etc)

 

[mikestrivens]

Put a 5 litre container in the back and run it till you stop. That way you will be able to inform everybody of the mileage you did and how accurate the gauge to be.

 

[raymondj]

Put a 5 litre container in the back and run it till you stop. That way you will be able to inform everybody of the mileage you did and how accurate the gauge to be.

My C class is diesel so I darent run it dry. Why don't you try it?

 

[raymondj]

I seem to recall someone driving about 6 miles with the range reading zero miles left. possibly even me, I cant remember now as for a while I was permanently driving with the low fuel warning light on (out of work etc)

Yep I bet you got about another 10 miles after the computer says ZERO

 

[Rory]

Yep I bet you got about another 10 miles after the computer says ZERO

I can't even remember which car it was now, but I said that to my wife once, only to run out a mile from our village garage. She wasn't impressed.

Certainly once the light comes on in my car it'll take 63 litres - and that's its stated capacity. Maybe the "reserve" is on top of that? If it's getting low I always think I'll be brave this time and run the range down but have chickened out every time.

 

[flowrider]

I always fill up when either car gets to about 1/4 of a tank left, my wife drives around for days with the low fuel warning on!

 

[John Laidlaw]

I try never to get that low as all the crud at the bottom of the tank gets sucked up to where you dont want it!

 

[LostKiwi]

I try never to get that low as all the crud at the bottom of the tank gets sucked up to where you dont want it!

There's a myth as the pickup in the tank is at the lowest point on the tank anyway!

 

[John Laidlaw]

There's a myth as the pickup in the tank is at the lowest point on the tank anyway!

More that the crud gets stirred up though - wasn't referring to the pick up...
Similarly never fill up when a tanker is in there or you've just seen him been

 

[sonic]

I have been in the same position a couple of times. Once it shows 40 miles I reset the trip knowing I have 40 miles left.
In practice when I filled up some 20 more miles down the road there was at least 5 Ltrs left in the tank. So the reading is very conservative.

 

[mikestrivens]

My C class is diesel so I darent run it dry. Why don't you try it?

My cars are so old they don't have computers but I did exactly as I suggested and the W124 went for over 60 miles after the warning light came on. Not tried it with the R129 but they are very conservative with their warnings.

 

[Srdl]

The range calculation seems to work almost in real time based on the mpg from the current driving conditions. So the range can drop considerably after a couple of minutes heavy right foot and then improve significantly a couple of minutes later if you revert to a steady cruising speed.

 

[V6Matty]

I got down to around 12 miles left on the German autobahns once, took 81 litres of fuel iirc which is more than the stated capacity so there really is some extra somewhere in the system,

 

[umblecumbuz]

.... Similarly never fill up when a tanker is in there or you've just seen him been

The quicker I can put distance between me and any filling station that has a tanker discharging fuel, the safer I feel.

In Florida some years ago an entire gas station blew up, killing all including the owners who lived in the adjacent bungalow. They had taken every precaution during the filling process including closing the premises. Unfortunately it was a hot day and the heavy fumes travelled along the ground, entered the bungalow and ignited. In the bungalow was a gas-fired fridge with a pilot light - the culprit.

True, this seldom happens, but I don't want to be anywhere near next time.

Stupidly, in Malta, there are still some filling stations along busy high streets with pumps on the pavement (converted shops) and tanks under the road. The fumes are strong when these are being replenished. People are shopping nearby. No smoking signs are (or should be, by law) displayed. It will take a massive explosion before anyone on this laid back congested island pushes for a change in the law. One day it will happen.