Distance remaining - 0 miles

PMKeates

PMKeates

PMKeates

Soldato
Joined
16 Jul 2004
Posts
14,075
Was bored and decided to see how empty an "empty" fuel tank really is. I decided the best method to do this was to fill up a petrol canister, put it in the car and drive until it stops.

Well, the fuel light came on. Then the guage read empty. Then the distance remaining was:

3
2
1
0
----

And it stayed at ---- for 18.6 miles, until it just started slowing down... down... with a little spurt of energy every now and then but down... until it stopped, idled for a few seconds, then brum. Fuel tank empty.

Is interesting to know that, worse comes to worst, I have a steady 15 miles left beyond the ----. It's no Top Gear "it drove for another 5000 miles", but well... not even really interesting. I did say I was bored.

You should all try this and post back your results.
 
i really want to know exactly how much is left in mine as the needle and readout are somewhat temperamental when it gets near empty, and i sometimes i really don't want to fill up in my town as i can save over 5p a litre by filling up somewhere else, which is around 30 miles away

however, i remember reading somewhere (perhaps erroneously?) that running out of diesel destroys the engine, whereas it's (relatively) ok in a petrol?
 
mjt said:
however, i remember reading somewhere (perhaps erroneously?) that running out of diesel destroys the engine, whereas it's (relatively) ok in a petrol?
Click to expand...
The only thing I can think of along those lines is that diesel is a lubricant for the injectors and pump. Though I believe the pumps have a reservoir that gives it enough fuel for lubrication but not enough to send to the injectors, to avoid any problems there.
 
Simon said:
Petrol cools fuel pumps
Click to expand...
True. As the fuel pump is contained in what will be the very last drop of fuel, I imagine the period of time without normal cooling was short, and the period of time with "no" cooling was virtually nothing. I suspect, but don't know, that the pump's able to operate without it's normal cooling for some period of time without any real consequence.
 
mjt said:
i really want to know exactly how much is left in mine as the needle and readout are somewhat temperamental when it gets near empty, and i sometimes i really don't want to fill up in my town as i can save over 5p a litre by filling up somewhere else, which is around 30 miles away

however, i remember reading somewhere (perhaps erroneously?) that running out of diesel destroys the engine, whereas it's (relatively) ok in a petrol?
Click to expand...

ive heard that a desiel needs the fuel system to be bled if its run to empty
 
Another useful post from PMKeates (no, really!).

I've got down to ---- before, but only just before reaching a petrol station. I guess that means I didn't need to panic :D
 
The petrol gauage on my mondeo is broken and permanently reads full. The only time it's ever properly ran out is on the way home from the nurburgring, we filled up in Belgium and managed to get all the way home (470 miles) the car wouldn't start the next day, luckily there is a petrol station at then end of my road..
 
PMKeates said:
True. As the fuel pump is contained in what will be the very last drop of fuel, I imagine the period of time without normal cooling was short, and the period of time with "no" cooling was virtually nothing. I suspect, but don't know, that the pump's able to operate without it's normal cooling for some period of time without any real consequence.
Click to expand...

I mean it cools and to some extent,lubricates the pump internally.
 
On my mk1 focus, I've got ~50 miles after the yellow light comes on many a time.

I actually think I've done more miles with the yellow light on than with it off.
 
Don't do this too often, dad broke 2 fuel pumps in the corolla by running out of petrol ( well first lpg then petrol lol ) and 1 in the C5, so bascially, he has burned up 3 fuel pumps by running out of both lpg and petrol in 2 different cars.
 
I would love to do this the caddy is the most random fuel gauge ever and seems to be linked to how hard im driving. The computer is also crazy it says 43miles left drive another mile or two then flashes up, low range.
Just how low is low range. Do I get the 43 miles it was just showing me or is it about to die :p
 
I've had my car down to 0 loads of times, I run on the fact that when my fuel light comes on I have 2 gallons left (reserve section as stated in handbook) at 30mpg that's 60 miles. Mine shows 0 after just 30 miles most times, at this point though i'm normally looking for the nearest station.

I don't believe the "crap in the tank" comment one bit as the fuel is always sucked from the same point in the tank whether it's full or empty.
 
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