fuel tank: how low can you go?

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Nov 1, 2010 | 02:26 PM
  #1  
...or rather, how low have you gone?! I was rushing to a meeting last week, and was certain I could wait till after it to get gas (but I sure was wishing I had filled up the day before). As I neared the meeting, the multi-function display was saying I had about 12-14 miles left, and i made a mental note that the last station I passed on the highway was on the northbound side. After the meeting I started the car and the display said 4 miles remaining, so I did my best to drive as mellow as possible back to the highway, though it was mostly uphill. Though I needed to head south, I headed north so as to avoid the necessary U-turn to get back to that station I had seen, and signs indicated there's be a Mobil heading north. The display was reading 6 miles, 8 miles, 4 miles, depending on the grade of the road and whether I was accelerating, but I was still relatively calm, though I was regretting not heading south as I traveled a lot farther than that U-turn would've required. Then I approached a red light with a left lane exit, and I saw a Sunoco station on the opposite side of the highway, but it seemed to be past the turn, so I wouldn't be able to enter the station if I took that left. I took a deep breath and hoped like hell that the Mobil was not too much farther and on my side. When the light turned green and I drove on, I was horrified to see the Mobil on that other side, a little ways up from the Sunoco. Long story long, I had to go another mile before I could make a u-turn and get back to that Mobil, and the display was reading 2 miles as I approached the station at 45 mph or so. My fillup took 15.55 gallons, the most I've ever pumped. I just looked up the capacity (62 liters) and did the math (16.378 gallons) so I now know I was in less danger than maybe I feared, but it's very disconcerting to see that "miles remaining" number approach zero.

What's the most you've pumped in a fillup?
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Nov 1, 2010 | 02:40 PM
  #2  
I filled up 15.273 gal a couple weeks ago.
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Nov 1, 2010 | 02:52 PM
  #3  
Quote: I filled up 15.273 gal a couple weeks ago.
and were you nervous about running out Wes, or no big deal?
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Nov 1, 2010 | 03:13 PM
  #4  
Honestly, I don't remember. I think I had like 2 miles remaining on the dash.
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Nov 3, 2010 | 02:06 PM
  #5  
Fill up took 13.87 gallons. Not bad.

fuel tank: how low can you go?-photo.jpg  

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Nov 3, 2010 | 02:10 PM
  #6  
Before I go on I must say that I HATE to even let my car reach the reserve light. They say at that point your engine stars sucking in the nasty grime at the bottom of your tank.

However the other day I was out late, worked early. Knew I should of filled the night before but was too tired. Long story short, I rode with my dash at "0" for about half a mile. I was sweating bullets

EDIT: took 15.74 gallons
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Nov 3, 2010 | 04:39 PM
  #7  
Quote: Before I go on I must say that I HATE to even let my car reach the reserve light. They say at that point your engine stars sucking in the nasty grime at the bottom of your tank.

However the other day I was out late, worked early. Knew I should of filled the night before but was too tired. Long story short, I rode with my dash at "0" for about half a mile. I was sweating bullets

EDIT: took 15.74 gallons
That's what I heard too
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Nov 3, 2010 | 05:23 PM
  #8  
i have gotten 400 miles before on a full tank. when i filled it up it was around 15.5 but i swear that our cars have a hidden 2gallon reserve somewhere...lol
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Nov 3, 2010 | 05:30 PM
  #9  
I wish I could get it showing 400. Mine only shows 360 max after fill up, and a tank still lasts me 2 weeks or more.
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Nov 3, 2010 | 06:50 PM
  #10  
My 6 cyl goes 400 plus.... when needed.

Wes, maybe you're drivin' like a wild man. Ha
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Nov 3, 2010 | 07:17 PM
  #11  
Quote: My 6 cyl goes 400 plus.... when needed.

Wes, maybe you're drivin' like a wild man. Ha

Lol, no way. It has been 6 months with my CF lip and wheels, and not a scratch on either of them.

I think it's more of a facelift/pre-facelift thing. Usually all the 06+ that I come across fill up to 400 miles.
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Nov 3, 2010 | 09:43 PM
  #12  
Quote: Lol, no way. It has been 6 months with my CF lip and wheels, and not a scratch on either of them.

I think it's more of a facelift/pre-facelift thing. Usually all the 06+ that I come across fill up to 400 miles.
I've got an 06 and it shows, I believe something like 365 when filled up.

I rarely let it go below 1/4 to be honest.
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Nov 4, 2010 | 09:20 PM
  #13  
Quote: I've got an 06 and it shows, I believe something like 365 when filled up.

I rarely let it go below 1/4 to be honest.
What kind mpg averages are you get with your 350?

Mine has been really good. 28 - 30. Mainly highway with some city mixed in.
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Nov 5, 2010 | 01:18 AM
  #14  
Quote: What kind mpg averages are you get with your 350?

Mine has been really good. 28 - 30. Mainly highway with some city mixed in.
Past few times I've driven from Tampa to Orlando to visit friends at UCF, I got about 27-28. City is more like 20ish.

That 27-28 is going about 80-85 the whole time though. Not the most fuel efficient lol.
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Nov 5, 2010 | 01:37 AM
  #15  
Quote: They say at that point your engine stars sucking in the nasty grime at the bottom of your tank.\

100% true. If your fuel filter can get so dirty when you change it at the recomendation interval (60-90K), so is your gas tank too. Think about it, just common sense.
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Nov 5, 2010 | 06:44 AM
  #16  
Quote: Past few times I've driven from Tampa to Orlando to visit friends at UCF, I got about 27-28. City is more like 20ish.

That 27-28 is going about 80-85 the whole time though. Not the most fuel efficient lol.

Not bad.
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Nov 5, 2010 | 05:18 PM
  #17  
Quote: 100% true. If your fuel filter can get so dirty when you change it at the recomendation interval (60-90K), so is your gas tank too. Think about it, just common sense.
That is only true if the gas is being sucked in from the top of the tank. If it is sucking from the bottom, it is always getting stuff from the bottom...if you think about it.
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Nov 5, 2010 | 08:04 PM
  #18  
Quote: That is only true if the gas is being sucked in from the top of the tank. If it is sucking from the bottom, it is always getting stuff from the bottom...if you think about it.
Common sense within the group. Good food for thought....
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Nov 5, 2010 | 09:20 PM
  #19  
Quote: That is only true if the gas is being sucked in from the top of the tank. If it is sucking from the bottom, it is always getting stuff from the bottom...if you think about it.

I guess you have not seen the intank fuel pump. The pick up end is an in pump floating.
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Nov 7, 2010 | 03:54 PM
  #20  
We all stand corrected....
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