Miles Until Empty

[RegalWagon]

I’d rather not gamble with the life of my fuel pump or the possibility of being stranded.😉👌😎

I’ve never been stranded or replaced a fuel pump, but I do utilize my car’s maximum range.

You guys probably turn your car off every time you pump gas because THEY say it could blow up if you don’t.

 

[02LTD]

You guys probably turn your car off every time you pump gas because THEY say it could blow up if you don’t.

It’s the LAW here in New York. It probably applies where you are as well.

 

[RegalWagon]

It’s the LAW here in New York. It probably applies where you are as well.

Not going over the speed limit is the law, a four second stop is the law, stopping at the white line before creeping up to make a right turn is the law. I’m sure follow those laws every time.

Enforcement of laws is more important than the laws themselves.

 

[agaric]

THEY also say you should put a gas can on the ground to fill it.
THEY are correct.
Google it.

 

[02LTD]

Thanks for your input agaric. These laws are put in place for SAFETY. I guess that’s a concept that the OP doesn’t understand.
😳

 

[RegalWagon]

THEY also say you should put a gas can on the ground to fill it.
THEY are correct.
Google it

Why don’t you save me the search and just tell me why it’s so dangerous to fill a modern car with the engine running? How is gasoline sloshing around the tank while driving safe, but pouring gas in the tank is not? Gas tanks aren’t air tight with the caps on and mine doesn’t even have a cap. Is the running fuel pump going to ignite gasoline because you’re parked at a station, but not while driving? Is the heat of the engine able to somehow get to the tank while you’re at a gas station, but not while your driving? Do car engines instantly cool when turned off?

Please tell me what variable changes that makes a running car being filled with gasoline more unsafe than a non running car.

 

[RegalMN]

Why don’t you save me the search and just tell me why it’s so dangerous to fill a modern car with the engine running? How is gasoline sloshing around the tank while driving safe, but pouring gas in the tank is not? Gas tanks aren’t air tight with the caps on and mine doesn’t even have a cap. Is the running fuel pump going to ignite gasoline because you’re parked at a station, but not while driving? Is the heat of the engine able to somehow get to the tank while you’re at a gas station, but not while your driving? Do car engines instantly cool when turned off?

Please tell me what variable changes that makes a running car being filled with gasoline more unsafe than a non running car.

The risk of fumes igniting while pumping gas with a car running IS minimal but it is definitely higher than a non-running car. Only time I've ever left the car running is if it's -10F and the car isn't warmed up yet. Otherwise, why would you?

 

[FavaBean]

Does anyone know how many miles you actually have when the TourX says <30?

To answer that would depend on many different factors including throttle position, speed, incline, friction, weather, etc. The computer is calculating the distance to empty from a prior period/distance of the tankful. If a factor above changes in that last 30 miles, your distance to empty will change too.

Today, I departed towards Costco (15 miles away). The guage said I had 30 miles to empty. I drove like a grandma for the 15 miles and it still read 28 miles left to empty before it chimed the "low fuel" warning as I waited in line for fuel at Costco.

It took 14.3 gallons before the pump clicked off.

Since the tank capacity is 16.3, you can loosely estimate you have approximately 2 gallons left in your tank when it no longer commits to a distance.

Also for reference... the most I've added was 15.2 gal and the needle position was a hair BELOW the empty line.

 

[jclin4]

To answer that would depend on many different factors including throttle position, speed, incline, friction, weather, etc. The computer is calculating the distance to empty from a prior period/distance of the tankful. If a factor above changes in that last 30 miles, your distance to empty will change too.

I've always taken the mileage left in the tank at any level with a grain of salt. Basically it is a prediction of the future...

 

[Ruesselsheimer2001]

Since the tank capacity is 16.3, you can loosely estimate you have approximately 2 gallons left in your tank when it no longer commits to a distance.

I've been intrigued by this string for a while now. I just went through the same exercise as FavaBean. My readout went to "Low Fuel" and I tracked the mileage to the gas station (3 miles). I put in 14.7 gallons and using 16.3 gallons as my tank size, I had 1.6 gallons remaining in the tank.

I've been getting about 26.2mpg on regular unleaded. So that means when I filled up, I had about 41.9 miles left in the tank until absolute zero fuel. So, my readout of "<30 miles" just before it went to "Low Fuel" is a bit suspect.

Of course, fuel economy is literally the origin of the "your mileage may vary" phrase... And I don't think I'll be trying to drive 40+ miles when my "Low Fuel" warning comes on, but that's the math: about 40 more miles in my tank once that light came on...

 

[RegalMN]

I've always taken the mileage left in the tank at any level with a grain of salt. Basically it is a prediction of the future...

And I'm sure manufacturers err on the side of caution.

 

[SaskGirlLovesToFish]

My TourX is the first car I’ve had that does not count down miles until empty all the way to zero. Once it hits 30 I just get the <30 miles until empty and it doesn’t change after that. In my other cars once they hit zero miles I knew I still had about a gallon of gas left. This gave me a little more confidence while finding a place to fill up.

Does anyone know how many miles you actually have when the TourX says <30? Does that mean you are on your last gallon or does it mean that you have the 30 miles until the reserve gallon that my old cars had?

I have an Envision now and same as you, this is the first vehicle that I've had that hasn't given me the kms (Canadian) down to zero. This is my first Buick though so I'm not sure if this is common with Buick vehicles, all of my past vehicles were Ford and Honda.
I realize this doesn't answer your question but I wanted to let you know that I have also been wondering about this. I've been looking through the service manual to see if that is an option that can be changed through programming. I dont' think it is but checking anyways since there are othe options like the a/c smell blower option.
All these replies to your question and most of them just trolls asking why you would let it get that low or stating the fuel pump cooling system, which to be fair is a common problem most of us are aware of. That wasn't the question they asked.

 

[stevie123]

My recent data point: 2018 TourX - I drove nearly 20 miles after my indicator went from 30miles remain to LOW. I was able to put in 15.1 gallons. I've been doing these experiments on roads with lots of gas stations and also keeping my eyes closely on the position of the needle. In this experiment, the needle was just below the empty bar.

The reason for running this low: I drive long distances often, and I want to know exactly when I can stop. Also, gas prices vary significantly in my area. Being able to get gas at COSTCO (and grab grocery) adds to convenience. With modern google map, it is quite easy to plan a day's worth of driving down to the mile. Stopping at gas stations are unpleasant.

Having said all that, something to keep in mind: Technically, the fuel tank say 16.4 gal capacity. We don't know if we can actually pump the last 1 gallon of gas from the tank. Also, the last bit of fluid may be dirt or water condensate collected over the weekend. The fuel level gage may simply not be accurate, especially not over years of service. Don't assume every single vehicle will be perfect. I used to have a Saab 9-3 and did similar experiments. Stranded the first time with 30 miles indicated (I've driven lower only weeks ago). The next time I was stranded, the indicator said 50 miles remaining. I've never that car below 75 miles-remaining again...