When is the fuel tank really empty? when computer tells 0 or not?

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Mar 30, 2005 | 09:02 AM

#11

aTTention

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Well my cluster just got replaced because of a faulty fuel gauge reading 1/4 full on empty.

Mar 30, 2005 | 09:10 AM

#12

OldSchool AG

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Wives tale.... the fuel pick-up is ALWAYS at the bottom of the tank anyway.

Mar 30, 2005 | 09:54 AM

#13

TTapsale

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It definitely can...

You can be sucking impurites into the gas filter etc.Another thing is that when the tank is almost empty of gas it's almost full of air. Overnight condensation forms in the air in the tank.You can get water in the gas without it having come from a filling station.Always try to keep it above half especially in the colder mos.IMHO.

Mar 30, 2005 | 10:10 AM

#14

TTapsale

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Eggsactly ! the water/funky stuff floats on top of the gas .So if you let it run down to the...

bottom it'll get sucked into the fuel system. Really, an old wife told me so!

Mar 30, 2005 | 10:31 AM

#15

aTTention

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Thanks, I'll try to fill up once in a while.

Mar 30, 2005 | 10:53 AM

#16

cedricl

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The miles to empty is variable

Due to the overwhelming evidence of cluster failures, I reset my trip odometer (the one under the speedometer) every time I fill up. I know I average about 350 m/tank in town. When I get close to 350 (320-330) I will then start looking at the miles to empty and make a decision to start looking for a gas station. If I'm on the freeway, I get closer to 400 m/tank so that's when I start looking for gas. The odometer is the only thing I trust. The rest are just visual aids.
You can also drive it 'til it says 0. Fill up. See how many gallons it takes and subtract that from the known capacity. You'll then know how much fuel you have when it says 0. I think it's about 1.5 gallons.