How low can YOU go ???

[Tunku]

I've been off shift, not using the car. Mrs. Tunku has been using the car. I'm due in to work tomorrow night so I decided to check fluids etc. as I do. Oil, radiator, brake fluid, power steering fluid, washer water, tyre pressure. All OK. I get in car and switch on, fuel low. Very low, in fact, I didn't know the needle went that far down when powered up. Went out to the garage where I have a gallon container of petrol for the lawn mower. It is full, at least 5 litres in there. Good show, I say to myself. Toddle out and put it in the tank. Drive to nearest petrol station which is a Tesco and is only 1.9 miles away as opposed to my favourite station which is a Jet station 2.5 miles away. Can't be too careful with my heart you know. I start to fill up with Tescos finest unleaded at 112p per litre, not a bad price I think. I'm looking about the place, passing time until the pump kicks to let me know the tank is full. This takes a while, but, I'm in no rush. Pump clicks and I holster the nozzle and put the fuel cap back on and close the little door. I glance at the pump and see figures in the 60 range. I remember this Mondeo has a 60 litre tank so I focus (heh) on the figures. 67 litres it says.
What the bloody hell was I running on when I went to the petrol station? Knowing Mrs. Tunku it WAS actually fairy dust.

[davepoth]

There will be a quantity of fuel in the lines and the swirl pot. I know when the fuel gauge is on the empty spot I still have a gallon of fuel in the tank.

[B'stard Child]

When the fuel light comes on in one of mine you had better be in a petrol station.......

In another when the range says 0 you have 30 miles plus left in the tank (might be more but I gave up trying to see how much further it would go)

[Jonny671]

I know from previous experience I usually get 250 miles to a tank before I chicken out and get some fuel.

Once I braved it and got 279 miles before I had to fill, didn't want the embarrassment of running out of fuel

[Papa Hotel]

My old Fiesta was empty when the computer said I had 35 miles left... Unimpressed.

But then I've done in excess of 50 miles in both the Clio and Bravo when they were supposedly empty.

I suppose the moral of the story is that cars are liars.

[enioldjoe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jkowBtwnHM&fea...

[Rich_W]

Just run it until it stops. I did this the other day going home from work. It cut out, then I'd crank it for 15-20 seconds and it would run again for another 1/2 mile or so. I managed to get 8 out of the 10 miles home before I relented and went to BP. Normally "filling" costs about 45-50. That one cost nearer £60. It took ages to start when I'd filled it too

Car was a Diesel (non Turbo btw)

[Pints]

I was on a PH hoon when, with no indication of how much further we were still going to be going and with no petrol station anywhere, the OBC informed me I had 0 miles left in the tank. My right foot suddenly got very gentle.

On another occasion I filled it and it took a little less than 57 litres - in a 55 litre tank.

[jbi]

I've discovered mine wont run out till the needle is blow the empty mark...

With a bit of experimentation I worked it out at roughly 3 gallons from when the low fuel light comes on.

[Sticks.]

Years ago I had an Escort 1.6 (cvh). Would cut out anywhere below 1/4 full. Got caught out twice; never before or since.

[Matt UK]

Mine never goes below 1/4 as a general rule.

I've always worked on the assumption that at any moment I could get a call regarding an emergency 100 miles away and will not want to be stopping for petrol.

[vit4]

Worst one I've had was where it took 50.8 litres, on a 52 litre tank. Gauge wasn't that low, normally it can go a bit below the red, but not risking it again

[MondeoMan1981]

I did 35 miles after the fuel light came on and the car beeped at me to fill up, very light right foot !

[rb5230]

i think the question the op was trying to get an answer for was: how did a 60 litre tank take 67 litres?

[Papa Hotel]

rb5230 said:

i think the question the op was trying to get an answer for was: how did a 60 litre tank take 67 litres?

I thought it was how did a 60 litre tank take 72 litres?

67 + the 5 he'd already put in.

[Dan_1981]

28 miles in a focus that trip computer said was empty.

My mx5 - i ran out on the petrol station forecourt - i got some odd looks pushing it up to the pump.

Personally i think that is perfect timing

[martin mrt]

I don't get the logic of this, running a car so low on fuel your into the dregs, I always fill mine at quarter as I hate going below that.

[PhillipM]

I have had to weave for several miles to get fuel over to the pump side of the tank on occasion

[Jonny671]

martin mrt said:

I don't get the logic of this, running a car so low on fuel your into the dregs, I always fill mine at quarter as I hate going below that.

Its not deliberate.. I always fill up when we've just passed 1/4 of a tank.

[LeeThr]

Dan_1981 said:

28 miles in a focus that trip computer said was empty.

My mx5 - i ran out on the petrol station forecourt - i got some odd looks pushing it up to the pump.

Personally i think that is perfect timing

Not quite, perfect timing is when you run out as you pull along side the pump