Out Of Fuel

mas89 · 17-08-2013, 01:57 PM

Has anyone else had a problem with their trip computer..Last night I was running low on fuel. checked the distance to empty and earlier on the way to work and was plenty for the trip to get home. I checked on the way home and got down to 12klms to empty and did not move any lower.. Well I got 300meters away from a petrol station and it stopped, was able to get it to the pump [with some help from a lovely guy in a ba xr ute ]. After got some fuel in the tank, started first go but them I noticed that the engine light stayed on for the rest of the night but checked again today and all is back to normal.

ope126 · 17-08-2013, 02:17 PM

mas89, that is interesting...

Did you take note of how much fuel you then put into the tank?
Considering it is a 70L tank...

Sorry, but is your petrol or diesel?
I think the diesel would be more sensitive to running out...

Keep us up to date!

mas89 · 17-08-2013, 03:26 PM

[QUOTE=ope126;4851885]mas89, that is interesting...

Did you take note of how much fuel you then put into the tank?
Considering it is a 70L tank...

No only put $40 in ,, running the same motor as yours zetec [ but I got no Bluefin]

pajoda · 17-08-2013, 05:00 PM

Personally I consider the modern day indicators as a very good guide, and pretty close, but when you get down to single or near single figures there is always some nerves. I did drive down to single figures in my current ride and put 55 litres into a 62 litre tank. That shows some level of conservatism, although we can never be sure when it might go bad. Moral of the story, don't be to daring when you aren't forced.

The Monty · 17-08-2013, 05:10 PM

Better than the FG. Mine went dead on me with 27km in the tank, takung it extra easy.

allanv6gt · 17-08-2013, 05:56 PM

Having grown up with '70s (now classic) cars, I don't trust fuel guages (or modern day computers to estimate things for me). Some days I can drive to and from work (25k) and use no petrol, according to Master 'Puter.

I fill my Mondeo XR5 soon after the warning light comes on....around 80kms to go.
The other day it got down to around 50kms remaining and I put 59.xlts into it - the most fuel and the most expensive ever !!
If the 'puter says 12km to empty, IMHO you're really pushing your luck.

Fuel expands and contracts dependimng on temperature, and I expect this will affect the fuel level reading. Of course, less of a problem somewhere warm.....

mas89 · 17-08-2013, 06:00 PM

True ,,should be only be used as a rough guide. good to know where bottom empty is so not to go there again,

DRU842 · 18-08-2013, 10:10 AM

We've had the reverse issue on our XR5, with a quick fall to zero and lots of sweaty palms for 30-40km without running dry.
Like Allen we fill at the warning light whenever practical.

digbc · 03-10-2013, 02:02 PM

Don"t rely on the distance to empty, I to thought I had plenty of Diesel left and drove past the petrol station knowing I had plenty in reserve (or so I thought).
Ended up having to roll down hill in the break down lane on the hume hwy to save fuel and just made it to the servo with a lot of surging and ran out in front of the bowser .