Usable Fuel/Low Fuel Light
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 18
Usable Fuel/Low Fuel Light
So, tomorrow is my first full week with this new car. I've gone 382 miles....on the same tank....and my low fuel light is on. I've been driving 55....keeping the ECO light on........I don't know how much "usable fuel" is in tank when the "low" light comes on. In any case, I'll find out tomorrow I suppose.
If I put in 12.5 gal tomorrow.....that will make it 32mpg. If I hit less than 30 I'm probably gonna be ____ed. But we are looking VERY GOOD thus far.
On a flat level road at 55, the best she does is 40mpg. I've tested this a few times.......and it doesn't change much. I hope to try a few tricks to see if I can get it up just a tad.
If I put in 12.5 gal tomorrow.....that will make it 32mpg. If I hit less than 30 I'm probably gonna be ____ed. But we are looking VERY GOOD thus far.
On a flat level road at 55, the best she does is 40mpg. I've tested this a few times.......and it doesn't change much. I hope to try a few tricks to see if I can get it up just a tad.
Member
SL Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 77
It is not completely accurate. It fluctuates greatly.
Say you have 3 gal left in the tank, if you accelerate hard up a hill, the light might then come on and stay on.
Also, lets say you are driving on flat road, and the light comes on. Sometimes, if you shut the car off shortly after, and start the car again, the gas light will not be on for about another 10 miles.
Going around corners or up/down hills will also trigger the gas light prematurely.
2 gal is probably a safe ESTIMATE.
I have a 6 speed manual. I was starting my car/shutting it off frequently, the gas light would sometimes come on since my fuel level was low, and sometimes I would drive a few blocks before it came on.
I started my car one last time, this time the gas light stayed on even immediately after I started the engine. I managed to drive the car 20 miles (40% town driving, 60% highway)
By the time i reached my destination, the needle was perfectly lined up with the "E" line.
I even once saw my needle go a bit below the "E" line as I was heading to a gas station. But I wouldn't chance that again unless I had a gas can in the back.
Basically, the point of the fuel light is to say "hey, better start thinking about when and where you're going to get fuel, because in case you haven't noticed, we're running a bit low here"
Some cars give an estimated mileage to empty, but unfortunately, this car isn't one of those. This is more of a budget, or "value" car.
Someone should test to see how far past the "E" line the needle goes, and post the picture.
Say you have 3 gal left in the tank, if you accelerate hard up a hill, the light might then come on and stay on.
Also, lets say you are driving on flat road, and the light comes on. Sometimes, if you shut the car off shortly after, and start the car again, the gas light will not be on for about another 10 miles.
Going around corners or up/down hills will also trigger the gas light prematurely.
2 gal is probably a safe ESTIMATE.
I have a 6 speed manual. I was starting my car/shutting it off frequently, the gas light would sometimes come on since my fuel level was low, and sometimes I would drive a few blocks before it came on.
I started my car one last time, this time the gas light stayed on even immediately after I started the engine. I managed to drive the car 20 miles (40% town driving, 60% highway)
By the time i reached my destination, the needle was perfectly lined up with the "E" line.
I even once saw my needle go a bit below the "E" line as I was heading to a gas station. But I wouldn't chance that again unless I had a gas can in the back.
Basically, the point of the fuel light is to say "hey, better start thinking about when and where you're going to get fuel, because in case you haven't noticed, we're running a bit low here"
Some cars give an estimated mileage to empty, but unfortunately, this car isn't one of those. This is more of a budget, or "value" car.
Someone should test to see how far past the "E" line the needle goes, and post the picture.
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