How much gas do I have?

[sketchers356]

When the gas gauge hits "R" is that the equivalent of empty or is empty by that green spot below R? I dont feel like testing how far it will go!

[Joe Bob]

Go for a drive with a gas can...run out and deal with it....

Problem is, most tanks have a lot of crap in the bottom. Be prepared for a clogged filter or worse.

Personally, I would just fill it.

[Por_sha911]

Although it is nice to know if your gas gauge is accurate or not (as in how badly do I panic if I realize that I'm out?), I'm with Mikez-too much junk in the bottom of the tank. I guess you could go for a drive with a gas can AND a new fuel filter....

[sketchers356]

So does R=empty?

[Jim Sims]

R stands for reserve. Bad advice to do the experiment. Do not run out of gas; besides debris in the fuel clogging the filter, this can also burn up the fuel pump as it requires fuel flowing through it for cooling. Jim

[SpeedracerIndy]

R=reserve I believe. When the car was new, I'm sure you could depend on that reserve amount of fuel being consistant. Since the car is now 20+ years old, the fuel level sending unit might not be as acurate as when new, and as others mentioned there could be gunk in the tank throwing it off.

[jfw834]

i refuel usually when the light comes on, and the pump stops at around 18.5 gallons. that means that there are at least 2-3 gallons left when that light comes on since my SC has a ~21 gallon tank. I would agree that it is wise to not test the bottom of that old gas tank and take the light to mean that you should refuel as soon as possible.

[Joe Bob]

Open the bunghole where the sender and suck all the crud out....change out the filter(s) and then try it....

[sketchers356]

Originally posted by Jim Sims
R stands for reserve. Bad advice to do the experiment. Do not run out of gas; besides debris in the fuel clogging the filter, this can also burn up the fuel pump as it requires fuel flowing through it for cooling. Jim

But If you ran out of gas your engine would stop running. Surely you would not burn up the fuel pump in the time it takes between running out of fuel and going to the side of the road. Only way that could happen as I see it was if you left the electrics on for a minute or more without fuel.

[OldTee]

Drain the tank into a clean fuel can. Use a funnel and filter. Then put exactly 1 gallon in. Look at the gage. Go to two gallons, etc. Nice project which can take as much as an hour on a nice day. Then you know exactly.

[masraum]

On my '88 the reserve was about 2 gal.

[billwagnon]

I think my owner's manual says 1.5 gallons.

[Jim Sims]

"left the electrics on for a minute or more without fuel". People do this, especially if they do not know they've run out of fuel or the airflow switch has been disconnected or is malfunctioning. Then the fuel pump will continue to run if the ignition key is in the "on or run" position even if the engine isn't running or turning over. My position remains the same; delibrately running a CIS system out of fuel is an unwise and unnecessary thing to do. Cheers, Jim

[sketchers356]

Maybe I have a noisy fuel pump, but I certainly would turn the ignition off if the engine was off.

[masraum]

Of course, going by the title of the thread, the correct answer is, how much cabbage/beans did you eat?

[TerryH]

Originally posted by jfw834
i refuel usually when the light comes on, and the pump stops at around 18.5 gallons. that means that there are at least 2-3 gallons left when that light comes on since my SC has a ~21 gallon tank. I would agree that it is wise to not test the bottom of that old gas tank and take the light to mean that you should refuel as soon as possible.

I just filled today 19.6 gallons and ...... $48.75! Out-freakin-rageous gas prices. It is ALMOST taking the fun out of cruising.

My low level gas light comes on and goes off depending on travel and fuel slosh. Once it stays lit. It is time to find a pump pronto.

[Joe Bob]

He!!....my Blown Dodge gets 8.5 mpg in town....time to find a suck.....er, buyer....