I've got a 2000 "T" and I want to get it as low as I can to get an accurate MPG reading. Plus, it's about 25 miles to my favorite gas station. Can I make it?

 

you can still run on gas vapors but you will then have to change your fuel filter after you refill.

 

i'll let you know this... i ran the fuel to the E line (right on E) and filled up. it was ~16.5gal empty, so you can guesstimate from that.

 

Why would you have to do that?????

 

On my Euro Max (I30) it says in the manual 7liters = 1,85 gallon. In actual use it seems more like 10+ liters when it first comes on = 2,6+ gallons... But mine's a 1995...

 

Recently, the low fuel indicator came on when was a mile away from the gas station. Then it drank around 16.5 gallons of gas against the tank capacity of 18.5 .. so seems it'll keep 2 gallons in reserve!

1998 I30 .. just clicked 100k

 

There's sediment at the bottom of your fuel tank because, believe it or not, fuel is not as clean as you might think and small rust and dust particles are impossible to prevent from getting in there. Theoretically, that sediment could enter the fuel system and foul the lines, injectors, etc. That's what the fuel filter is meant to address and I guess it should need changing if some thick junk gets in there.

I decided to not flirt with that sort of problem and just get it filled. It took 15.6 gallons so, yeah, there are a couple gallons in reserve.

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

 

^^^^^^^^^
bingo

 

Fill your car all the way to full, when it is full, drive your car around until you think you are almost all out. Then take how much gas it takes, put it over the amount of gas it holds, and you can create what is called a ratio. That ratio will be approximately 98% accurate to what your gas mileage is, unless you are stupid, heh. I filled up my last tank and it took 15.236 gallons, the 2000 i30 has a 15.375 gallon tank if im not mistaken that was close. My mpg was around 17, and this new tank is looking to be about 18-19, more freeway and less racing around.

 

2000 I30 has a 18-18.5 gal. tank I believe and the low fuel light is set to come on when there is just about 2 gal. left. Don't let it get too low of you WILL need a new fuel filter!

 

If your goal is to determine mileage, don't let it go to empty at all.

- Fill your gas tank first, reset your trip.

- Look at the tripometer the instant the low gas light comes on. Take your mileage and divide it into the amount of gas you need put in till it's full again.

- The only variable will be if you were on a severe incline when it came on but generally, this works perfectly.

BTW: I've been careful and continued just over 60 miles with the gas light on and it never hesitated once.

 

In my 98 I think I've got around 3.5 gallons when the light comes on.

I'd been lucky enough to have the light come on one day not to far from a gas station. I filled it up and they were able to get 15 gallons in the car.


-Raj

 

of course, if you guys have a palm, you can track your gas milage from the many programs out. i loaded a general maintence program on my palm (garmin) and track everything about my car there.

 

I assure you the gas tank in my car is 15 3/8 gallons, its a 2000 i30.

 

your owner's manual would tell you the answer

 

I like to rely on my own methods because I have control of all the variables. I don't know what methods they use and manufacturers have well-deserved reputation for presenting inaccurate information. You should always question what you're being told and try to rely on your own information whenever you can...assuming you know how to gather data accurately.

 

Apart from potentially having to replace a fuel filter if the tank is run too low, is it not correct that if one runs out of gas that it isn't good for the fuel injectors?

 

understandable. i do the tracking because i want to know if it's running optimally. and from the time i've owned my car, i get 22.6 mpg everything inclusive. if i take in consideration of miles after replacing spark plugs, it goes up to 23.27mpg.