DIC...mileage to empty

flyboyron · February 17, 2012

I hardly ever run my truck below 1/4 tank, because I know it could over a period of years damage the fuel pump.

So last week, I had some major surgery and different things, I didn't get to put gas in the truck and I was late for a doctors appointment. Wouldn't you know it?

So I check the DIC and it says how many miles I should be able to go til empty.

So when it got down to below 49 or 45 miles, it then said something like "Fuel Level Low". and there were no more numbers.

I did not know when exactly the fuel light came on.

I was shaking in my shoes fearing I would run out of gas.

I don't think this thing is too accurate and really don't use it much, but I was wondering after I filled it up, it only took around 20 gallons. I believe the tank is 26 and I didn't know how much gas I would actually have to put in but thought it would be more than that. I have the 09 Extended cab with the 6.5ft bed.

What is the most gas you guys have put in running it down to the lower end of the guage?

travis73 · February 17, 2012

I did that once,got the same message you did but I put 24 gallons in the truck after running it about 20 miles after I got the message.

nickvrebel · February 17, 2012

1. the fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate

2. the DIC attempts to calculate miles left until empty, however it stops estimating when fuel reaches below a certain level. This is precautionary, as stated before, the fuel level sensor/ gauge is not a precise measuring tool.

3. Your distance to empty can vary greatly depending on driving conditions, it's all from average fuel economy. If you monitor your instant fuel economy numbers you will see how your get significantly less economy when accelerating or going uphill.

4. I like making lists

mc7719 · February 17, 2012

Unfortunately I have run it down to near-empty (no I dont make a habit of it) It was some miscalculations on my part, failure to plan between gas stops (roadtrip in unpopulated areas), all while towing a 6000lb travel trailer.

Needless to say I was white-knuckling it PRAYING I'd make it to the next gas station.. The "KM left to empty" changed to "Fuel Level Low" and watching the tripometer I drove to within 10 km of empty I figure (For example, the numbers disappeared at, say, 45 km left to empty, and I drove 35 km more) It was pretty tense, and not something I'd recommend lol The tank took about 92L to fill, on a 98L tank.

Now I start looking for gas stations when I hit 1/4 tank.

Morgan1986 · February 17, 2012

I have put in my about 86 liters It has a 98 Liter tank I think . 05 silverado reg cab

DV93 · February 18, 2012

2002 5.3L Suburban. Fuel Light came on. Drove for a few more miles & put 27 gallons into 31 gallon tank. The pump auto shut off occurred at 26.?? gallons; squeezed in more to make 27.

This is typical. Fuel Light, dive less than ten miles, then put in 25.?? To 26.?? Gallons.

How much of the 4-5 gallons can be used?

At 15 mpg that should give me 60 more miles after Fuel Light.

Also my engine is Flex Fuel yet I have NEVER used the E85.

brainpause · February 18, 2012

According to aCar (my Droid app that I love), my max fillup was 25.82 gal on a 26 gal tank. My average fillup is 20.22.

That said, I will usually fill it up when it says Low Fuel. Unpopulated areas aren't a problem for me. But it may go a month or six weeks between fillups, so I don't want a bunch of old gas sitting there.

69camarorag · February 18, 2012

As far as I know, the statement of not running fuel low and damaging the pump has not been valid since the 99 and up truck. All the fuel passes thru the pump, so it is always cooled.

Morgan1986 · February 18, 2012

As far as I know, the statement of not running fuel low and damaging the pump has not been valid since the 99 and up truck. All the fuel passes thru the pump, so it is always cooled.

I would think the bottom gas would have a bunch of crud around it . Any sediment or dirt or rust will be at the bottom I think and most pumps I see (not fuel pumps) are always siting about 3 and half inches off the bottom .

txab · February 18, 2012

As far as I know, the statement of not running fuel low and damaging the pump has not been valid since the 99 and up truck. All the fuel passes thru the pump, so it is always cooled.

I would think the bottom gas would have a bunch of crud around it . Any sediment or dirt or rust will be at the bottom I think and most pumps I see (not fuel pumps) are always siting about 3 and half inches off the bottom .

OP's truck is a 2009. Since about 2004 fuel filters are in the tank and part of the fuel pump assembly. So no real crud problems affecting the pump. Pick-up sock for the pump is closer than 3.5 inches to the bottom

waumo1 · February 18, 2012

As far as I know, the statement of not running fuel low and damaging the pump has not been valid since the 99 and up truck. All the fuel passes thru the pump, so it is always cooled.

I would think the bottom gas would have a bunch of crud around it . Any sediment or dirt or rust will be at the bottom I think and most pumps I see (not fuel pumps) are always siting about 3 and half inches off the bottom .

Years ago I pulled the gas tanks off of a couple of my Pontiacs that were at least 20 years old at the time. I estimate that at least 10000 gallons of gas had gone through those tanks if not twice that much. The tanks were perfectly clean inside with essentially nothing on the bottom.

Morgan1986 · February 19, 2012

As far as I know, the statement of not running fuel low and damaging the pump has not been valid since the 99 and up truck. All the fuel passes thru the pump, so it is always cooled.

I would think the bottom gas would have a bunch of crud around it . Any sediment or dirt or rust will be at the bottom I think and most pumps I see (not fuel pumps) are always siting about 3 and half inches off the bottom .

Years ago I pulled the gas tanks off of a couple of my Pontiacs that were at least 20 years old at the time. I estimate that at least 10000 gallons of gas had gone through those tanks if not twice that much. The tanks were perfectly clean inside with essentially nothing on the bottom.

Nice to know that are gas is clean. I heard moisture/water can build up in the tank when the fuel is low .

Sierra in the Sand · February 20, 2012

I had the same white-knuckle experience last year. I actually had two gallons of gas left when I filled it up. Better than being off two gallons the other way........