There must be several dozen threads on "Gas Tank Capacity," "How Much Gas is in the Tank When the Warning Light Comes" on, and so on. Here is the definitive answer – but first a short explanation.
On my 25 state, 33 day, 7700 mile road trip I recently completed, I was in Medora, ND, “Gateway to Roosevelt National Park,” population 100 – except in summer when it can grow to several thousand. Medora is a great place, and I’ll post more information about when I finally finish documenting this trip.
The fuel light had been on about 35 miles or so, however there was no 91+ octane in this northern metropolis. I was told 15 miles up I-94 I in Belfield, ND could get whatever gas I wanted. I departed without a second thought.
About half way there the engine momentarily lost power, and I thought, “Oh ---,” well you know what I thought.
I never stopped the car. I put it in neutral and shut off the engine – dead stick coasting --down to about 30 mph. For the rest of the trip I just jump started the engine and accelerated very very slowly to about 50 (or whatever speed the engine started sputtering again.) I repeated this about 10 times and made it to a gas station, coasting up to the gas pump. This was a technique used in the Mobil Gas Economy Runs back in the 1950s; mega-hypermiling. It makes no sense for normal traveling, but got me out of this jam.
The results: 17.89 gallons is the official tank capacity. (Factory says 18.1 and I’ll bet that is spot on. You can never totally empty the gas tank without opening the drain plug.) For how many miles can you go after the fuel light comes on, it depends upon what you call "fuel light comes on." From when you first see it glow, I guess it is about 55 - 60 miles. From it coming on steadly -- and staying on, it is about half that.
I also noticed that the fuel type drastically affected the mileage I got, varying from about 24 to 32 mpg. Different states have different pollution requirements, and use different percentages of ethanol in their gasoline. In ND, MN and WI, premium was actually less expensive than regular, I’m sure because of the ethanol content.
So there you go: Distance left at fuel light first lighting (dimly) is about 55 miles, at about 28 mpg average. Use this information as you will, and don’t blame me if “your mileage may differ.”
Here is the "proof."
On my 25 state, 33 day, 7700 mile road trip I recently completed, I was in Medora, ND, “Gateway to Roosevelt National Park,” population 100 – except in summer when it can grow to several thousand. Medora is a great place, and I’ll post more information about when I finally finish documenting this trip.
The fuel light had been on about 35 miles or so, however there was no 91+ octane in this northern metropolis. I was told 15 miles up I-94 I in Belfield, ND could get whatever gas I wanted. I departed without a second thought.
About half way there the engine momentarily lost power, and I thought, “Oh ---,” well you know what I thought.
I never stopped the car. I put it in neutral and shut off the engine – dead stick coasting --down to about 30 mph. For the rest of the trip I just jump started the engine and accelerated very very slowly to about 50 (or whatever speed the engine started sputtering again.) I repeated this about 10 times and made it to a gas station, coasting up to the gas pump. This was a technique used in the Mobil Gas Economy Runs back in the 1950s; mega-hypermiling. It makes no sense for normal traveling, but got me out of this jam.
The results: 17.89 gallons is the official tank capacity. (Factory says 18.1 and I’ll bet that is spot on. You can never totally empty the gas tank without opening the drain plug.) For how many miles can you go after the fuel light comes on, it depends upon what you call "fuel light comes on." From when you first see it glow, I guess it is about 55 - 60 miles. From it coming on steadly -- and staying on, it is about half that.
I also noticed that the fuel type drastically affected the mileage I got, varying from about 24 to 32 mpg. Different states have different pollution requirements, and use different percentages of ethanol in their gasoline. In ND, MN and WI, premium was actually less expensive than regular, I’m sure because of the ethanol content.
So there you go: Distance left at fuel light first lighting (dimly) is about 55 miles, at about 28 mpg average. Use this information as you will, and don’t blame me if “your mileage may differ.”
Here is the "proof."
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