Something Strange?

[RollinRidge]

Yesterday I stopped at a BP station for gas . The fuel light was own as it always is when I stop to fill up. I normally reset my trip counter with each fill up just to keep track of my fuel mileage. I probably shouldn't wait until the light comes on, but that beside the point. What I found strange today was the fact that I had travelled 410 miles on a tank of gas . After the pump stopped and I gave the handle a few more pulls, I realized that I had pumped over 23 gallons of gas into the tank. I am sure that gas tanks hold more than what the specs say, but I would have never figured it would hold over a gallon more. There was no gas running out, nor was there any gas visible or topped off. I had driven my RL for approx. 23 miles after the light came on . Does anyone else find that strange? Over 23 gallons of gas...All imputs welcome, even the ones that call me crazy for waiting until the fuel light comes on to get gas.

[geotech]

First, is around 18mpg normal for you?
If not, then
Find another station, you might be the one taken for a ride. At today's prices, a little miscalibration goes a long ways for the station owner.

I also routinely run the tank down after the 4 gallons to go light comes on and the most I ever got in my vehicle was 21.3, as I recall.

[Order 66]

On the day I picked my Ridge up, the fuel indicator read full thus the dealership provided me with a full tank of gas. Being the anal guy that I am, in order to get an accurate mileage count I went to the gas station and was able to put 3 more gallons in even though the needle was pinned. I would imagine that the tank can hold 23 gallons.

[PeterK]

I have many times at different stations put in over 22 gallons. When the handle clicks off, I can then still get in an additional 3.5-3.8 gallons. I have done this on every car I have owned - topping off - with no problems ever. I just do it when I know I will be immediately driving for some distance to consume a few gallons. I suspect that if I ran it dry, I could get close to 26 gallons in it. It takes a fair amount of time trying to get the additional gallons in as you have to go slow. It really pays off when on long trips as you really extend your driving range. I can easily travel 480 miles before the light comes on. I average 22 mpg on highway travel and 19 in normal driving. I know many claim topping off can cause some kind of damage but has never done so to me - currently running 4 Hondas and 1 VW.
Pete

[geotech]

Originally Posted by PeterK

I have many times at different stations put in over 22 gallons. When the handle clicks off, I can then still get in an additional 3.5-3.8 gallons. I have done this on every car I have owned - topping off - with no problems ever. I just do it when I know I will be immediately driving for some distance to consume a few gallons. I suspect that if I ran it dry, I could get close to 26 gallons in it. It takes a fair amount of time trying to get the additional gallons in as you have to go slow. It really pays off when on long trips as you really extend your driving range. I can easily travel 480 miles before the light comes on. I average 22 mpg on highway travel and 19 in normal driving. I know many claim topping off can cause some kind of damage but has never done so to me - currently running 4 Hondas and 1 VW.
Pete

Wow! Two completely different trucks! Mine is like the manual. When the light comes on, I can put between 18 and 18.8 gallons in it, no matter how much milking I do. Plus, I only get 17.5 mpg (mixed) when I drive very conservatively, 15.5 mpg (mixed) when I don't. I'm usually at 320-300 miles with the light goes on.

I use Trip A for fillup mileage and Trip B for when the light goes on. After about 50 miles (17mpg times 3gals) after the light goes on, the needle is at or below the "E"!!! Never ran it dry and don't intend to.

I would give anything to have a truck like yours.

[spun07RTX]

I always wait till the fuel light comes on to re-fill.

that is usually around 400 miles, and I usually squeeze in 18-20 gallons.

I have always wanted to see how many miles I could go by running a full tank dry-I am guessing around 550. also I am curious how far you can get with the light on, before it runs dry) guessing 100 miles+

=conservative low fuel warning light timing

(and yes I would do it with a portable fuel container in the back, and no I wouldnt fill it back there for fear of static electricity causing an explosion)

[RollinRidge]

Originally Posted by RollinRidge

Yesterday I stopped at a BP station for gas . The fuel light was own as it always is when I stop to fill up. I normally reset my trip counter with each fill up just to keep track of my fuel mileage. I probably shouldn't wait until the light comes on, but that beside the point. What I found strange today was the fact that I had travelled 410 miles on a tank of gas . After the pump stopped and I gave the handle a few more pulls, I realized that I had pumped over 23 gallons of gas into the tank. I am sure that gas tanks hold more than what the specs say, but I would have never figured it would hold over a gallon more. There was no gas running out, nor was there any gas visible or topped off. I had driven my RL for approx. 23 miles after the light came on . Does anyone else find that strange? Over 23 gallons of gas...All imputs welcome, even the ones that call me crazy for waiting until the fuel light comes on to get gas.

I normally get about 19mpg on average. I have almost 3000 miles on my RL so hopefully the mileage a little room for improvement. I was also wondering the same thing about getting mugged at the gas pump. Considering some prices around the country, $2.56 isn't so bad to get ripped off for gallon but with all the customers this place gets I am definitely going to watch it and if there seems to be a repeated discrepancy, I will probably say something. Somebody would be pocketing a lot of cash.

[Nicholas]

Have put a touch over 24 gallons of gasoline (according to the pump read-out and different pumps used) in the Ridgeline with 450 miles on the clock. Have never ran out of gas yet but thought that it has to be running on fumes at times. Want to carry a gas can and run it out just to see how far it will go.

[ChrisM]

Originally Posted by RollinRidge

Yesterday I stopped at a BP station for gas . The fuel light was own as it always is when I stop to fill up. I normally reset my trip counter with each fill up just to keep track of my fuel mileage. I probably shouldn't wait until the light comes on, but that beside the point. What I found strange today was the fact that I had travelled 410 miles on a tank of gas . After the pump stopped and I gave the handle a few more pulls, I realized that I had pumped over 23 gallons of gas into the tank. I am sure that gas tanks hold more than what the specs say, but I would have never figured it would hold over a gallon more. There was no gas running out, nor was there any gas visible or topped off. I had driven my RL for approx. 23 miles after the light came on . Does anyone else find that strange? Over 23 gallons of gas...All imputs welcome, even the ones that call me crazy for waiting until the fuel light comes on to get gas.

The gas stations calibrate their pumps to pump a gallon of gasoline at 60 degrees. What was the temperature when you filled up your tank? I put 17.8 gallons in my truck the other day. According to the scan guage it only needed 17 gallons but the temperature had been over 95 degrees during the day and never below about 70 at night.

I have found that the scanguage has been pretty much spot on but this time it wasn't. I believe this was due to the gas being a whole lot more than 60 degrees.

[steveberger]

Originally Posted by geotech

Wow! Two completely different trucks! Mine is like the manual. When the light comes on, I can put between 18 and 18.8 gallons in it, no matter how much milking I do.

Mine too. I can't milk much more in once the pump kicks off no matter how slow I go. What's the secret?