The Lowest Fuel I Have Had So Far

[Buster1]

So just a curious note, that last night on the way home from work I got pretty low on fuel. I work way out of town where there are few gas stations. I was sweating making it back a little, but not too much as I was ~40 miles from the house and ~20 from civilization with the Miles To E: at 40.

 

Expecting to almost "flame out" near my neighborhood I elected to exit early and get gas. I ended up taking a wrong turn and getting into part of Vegas with no gas stations (go figure). When I eventually got to one it was very close to home. I had gone ~40 miles but the Miles To E: said 20.

 

So I know that the Miles to E: can change and adjust based on driving styles, maybe it was correct. :waiting:

 

Additionally, the fuel level on the gauge was ON the E, so there was about 1/8th inch of yellow still on the screen. When I filled up, she took 15.5 gals (the tank holds 17.5).

 

So I guess that the Miles to E is pretty close, but I am a little shocked that ON The E equals 2 gallons remaining in the tank.

 

Food for thought.

Edited January 12, 2011 by Buster1

[AptosDriver]

So just a curious note, that last night on the way home from work I got pretty low on fuel. I work way out of town where there are few gas stations. I was sweating making it back a little, but not too much as I was ~40 miles from the house and ~20 from civilization with the Miles To E: at 40.

But even if you'd run out of gas before you got home, couldn't you have proceeded on the electric motor, keeping the speed under 47 mph or whatever it's supposed to work at, the rest of the way home? Of course, that would have precluded driving on the freeway, but maybe there was an alternate route via surface streets (and maybe you'd find a gas station on the way). :shift:

[rfruth]

The 1/8 inch of yellow in the gas gauge goes to 1/16 pretty quick then the remaining sliver turns red & DTE = 0 or less (it doesn't start counting backwards) red = about 1 gal remaining, find gas NOW if not sooner - EV mode only good for a mile or 2 (not much, don't run out of gas)

[AptosDriver]

The 1/8 inch of yellow in the gas gauge goes to 1/16 pretty quick then the remaining sliver turns red & DTE = 0 or less (it doesn't start counting backwards) red = about 1 gal remaining, find gas NOW if not sooner - EV mode only good for a mile or 2 (not much, don't run out of gas)

Well, that's certainly good to know! :redcard:

[VonoreTn]

It's nice to know that you still had 2 gallons, but that might not equate to another 80 miles. 2 gallons might be about half an inch of gas in the bottom of the tank, thus the car geometric plane becomes an issue, like the crown of the road, and whether you are going up or down a hill become significant as to whether the fuel pump is sufficiently submerged to keep the engine going. Since the fuel is used to cool the fuel pump, it's a good practice for fuel pump durability not to make a habit of running down to the last 2 gallons of gas. A fuel pump replacement at a dealership out of warranty will cost you upwards of $500, and it could leave you stranded no where near a dealership. I had one fail in New Mexico, on a previous vehicle at high mileage, and was fortunate enough to be within a mile of a Ford Dealer.

[Buster1]

Good words by all.

 

Yep, my intent was not to see how low I could go...it was the opposite. I made a big mistake. I HATE getting low on gas and never have run out...nor do I intend to.

 

But I think that this was a good data point for the fuel level, the reading, and actually how much was in there and "usable."

[AptosDriver]

Good words by all.

 

Yep, my intent was not to see how low I could go...it was the opposite. I made a big mistake. I HATE getting low on gas and never have run out...nor do I intend to.

 

But I think that this was a good data point for the fuel level, the reading, and actually how much was in there and "usable."

I ran out of gas many, many years ago -- twice; 1975-76, I think it was. It's a real pain. Fortunately, I was near a service station both times. Since then I have almost always filled my tank when it's half full (or half empty, depending on your perspective :glare:).

[CometFlash]

Since then I have almost always filled my tank when it's half full (or half empty, depending on your perspective :glare:).

 

Same here, always fill when half empty (full). :yup:

 

Of course, I have to fill WAY more often than you hybrid driver's. Once a week minimum, at a good $50-$60 a pop. F-150's have an insatiable appetite. :doh:

Edited January 14, 2011 by CometFlash

[HybridFan]

But even if you'd run out of gas before you got home, couldn't you have proceeded on the electric motor, keeping the speed under 47 mph or whatever it's supposed to work at, the rest of the way home? Of course, that would have precluded driving on the freeway, but maybe there was an alternate route via surface streets (and maybe you'd find a gas station on the way). :shift:

 

Probably not. Based on info I read so far about the Hybrid, the range in electric mode is VERY limited - I think it's only about 2 miles.

[lolder]

EV range with normal HVB 1/2 charged is only about 1/2 mile. With a maximum charged HVB ( a rarity ) range might be near 2 miles at VERY slow speed ( 20 mph ). The HVB will only fully charge on some cold starts or extended downhill braking.