Fuel Range.. how far past zero can you go?

[Wiggums]

My Audi let me drive 50 miles past zero.

 

My Benz, on the other hand, wasn't kidding and it stranded me once I got to zero.

 

Ford would get down to 50 then very slowly go down, usually allowing me another 120 miles.

 

Now, what about Chevrolet? I'm showing 44 and was a little curious here.

[ducklawyer]

I have been maybe 10-15 miles past “0”. Not by choice but by poor planning and living in Arkansas. Not sure how far it would really go but I don’t want to be the one to test it!


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[Silverado4x4]

Just plain dumb to let your tank run that low before filling up as the fuel pump in the tank relies on the fuel to keep the pump cool. Doing this will greatly reduce the life of the pump then people that do this will blame GM on putting in junk pumps. 

[smrr1]

Simple. Just check what your avg mpg is and multiply that by the tank capacity and then don’t drive more than that number. 

[Sierra Dan]

+2 on why let it get that low.

Hard on the pump.

Fill up or throw more in before the light comes on! 

[reardiff]

So to take this a littler further... Whats the lowest level isn't hard on the pump? I realize there's not magical number the pump runs on and is gradual over time but in theory what's the lowest one should routinely let their tanks get before filling up for this topic?  1/4 tank? 

[ShamrockShooter]

I did a test drive of one that had low fuel light on, went 10 miles, didn't run out. Otherwise don't be dumb. Unless it's an emergency just fill up the dang tank and don't worry about it.

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[bhales]

40 miles after low fuel light comes on is my rule havent run out yet in my 18 

. i did run out in my 08 AWD denali one time that sucked....

[DeLucecc]

Mine said 'Low Fuel' for around 10 miles before I made it to the gas station, and put 23.1 of 24 gallons in. 

[Booger T]

Unless I'm on an extended road trip I never let tank get below half, usually around a quarter if I'm just to and from town, hunting or just cruising around. Doesn't cost anymore to keep tank full versus running it empty and the plus side is you don't have to worry about it

[KARNUT]

I don’t go by the gauge. I go by miles to empty, usually around 100. In an emergency you should be able to find a station before you ran out.


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[jaxcam02]

I would never let it get below 1/4 of a tank. Thats just me though.

[Sierra Dan]

3 hours ago, reardiff said:

So to take this a littler further... Whats the lowest level isn't hard on the pump? I realize there's not magical number the pump runs on and is gradual over time but in theory what's the lowest one should routinely let their tanks get before filling up for this topic?  1/4 tank? 

This question will yield a great debate, no doubt.

Personally, No less than 1/4 tank for me on Any vehicle.

 

[Wiggums]

I once had a 1/4 tank rule because of earthquakes and drove about 75,000 miles on the car. During a long drive, I let it go past 1/4 and the engine stalled because it was dirt.

 

That is why I try to use the entire tank once every 5,000 miles. That's to get rid of sediment and anything inside.

 

But, that's just me.

[Silverado4x4]

16 minutes ago, Wiggums said:

I once had a 1/4 tank rule because of earthquakes and drove about 75,000 miles on the car. During a long drive, I let it go past 1/4 and the engine stalled because it was dirt.

 

That is why I try to use the entire tank once every 5,000 miles. That's to get rid of sediment and anything inside.

 

But, that's just me.

If you think by running your tank down to clean out sediment you are way wrong, where do you think its going in the motor? These fuel pumps have a filter in the pump in the tank and when you shut the truck off a little bit of fuel will back flush the filter keeping it clean.

 

What does earthquakes have to do with how much fuel you keep in your tank?