Driving on a nearly empty tank today, drove about 30 miles after the fuel light came on, then re-fueled when the gas gauge showed "E" and the "approximate range" on the trip computer said "12 miles".
Even then, the fill-up was only 14.7 gallons on a 17.5 gallon tank, nearly 3 gallons shy of truly empty. Yes, I know the fuel light and "range" calcs are intentionally conservative. Carmakers (rightly) protect us from ourselves.
Still, it got me wondering....when does the car stop running? When the fuel tank is bone dry, or does there come some point before that when there is still some small amount of fuel left (gallon or less?) when it's insignificant compared to the size of the tank and the remaining fuel can no longer efficiently find it's way to the fuel intakes, causing the vehicle to sputter and quit?
Even then, the fill-up was only 14.7 gallons on a 17.5 gallon tank, nearly 3 gallons shy of truly empty. Yes, I know the fuel light and "range" calcs are intentionally conservative. Carmakers (rightly) protect us from ourselves.
Still, it got me wondering....when does the car stop running? When the fuel tank is bone dry, or does there come some point before that when there is still some small amount of fuel left (gallon or less?) when it's insignificant compared to the size of the tank and the remaining fuel can no longer efficiently find it's way to the fuel intakes, causing the vehicle to sputter and quit?