Well, I solved my problem, I was previously getting only 230 miles to a tank. Well today when I filled up, I actually paid attention to the pump and it turns out that to fill up my tank, it only took 12.5 gallons. Our tanks are what, 16.5? Therefore, I had at least 3, maybe 4 gallons left to drive on. Next time, I think I'll just drive till the light comes on. There is a light correct?

 

yes there is a light

 

18.5. But do we have to account for room to pressurize...? Probably not.

 

so I should be getting even more miles per tank? I do the majority of my driving just to school and back.

 

on some cars you can't trust the light.
on my SE, it comes on just below the 1/4 tank mark. I can drive for 50-60 miles easily.

on my GXE, when the light came on, you had about 1/2 block to get to a gas station, otherwise you were pushing.

 

I think my light's burnt out! I filled it up one day (I was sweating that I'd make it) and there was only like a gallon left. All gas lights should theoretically come on at a pre-set amount, like 4 gallons left or something.

...besides the previous owner said it might be burnt out.

BTW, I think the best way to figure your gas milage is not to go by "how many miles per tank" but to reset your trip odometer at your next fill, then drive whatever distance you like (doesn't matter) and then note how many gallons it takes to fill it up again and your milage. The trick here is consistency in filling because you can over or under-fill the tank. Averaging helps. I think (don't have it infront of me) I've been doing about 18-19 MPG pure city driving semi-hard.

 

the light in my car is like matts light, but i can only get about 20 miles when the light comes on

 

Don't judge your MPG's by how much gas goes in your tank at the fill up, compare mileage.

 

You need the extra fuel circulating to cool your fuel pump. The pump runs at full speed always. If you let the tank get low the pump will run hot and shorten its running life.

Its also bad for injectors if their fuel supply runs low. Gasoline cools the injectors. If you run low enough that the car is near stalling then the gas is sputtering out the injectors and not cooling them. The coil inside the injector will run hot and the life of the injector will be shortened dramatically.

 

Yes, so the previous owner told me, much to his chagrin! I'll take care of my newer pump!

 

I've never let the gas get low enough for the light to come on, but I have noticed something else peculiar. When a fill my tank, the needle goes to full, as it should, but it rapidly sinks during the next day or so, until about half-way, where it slows waaaaay down. Seems like it uses 9 gallons all at once, then uses barely any for the remainder of the tank. Is this due to the contour of the tank?