Stretching the gas light

**NJ2002WS.6** · 07-11-2008, 06:07 PM

Hey everybody, I was wondering if anybody knows about how many miles you can go on the gas light before you officially run out of gas. I know I have milked it for 25-30 miles then pulled in and filled up close to 16 gallons. I know it all depends on how hard and easy you drive the car, I am just looking for a range.

**Fearls1** · 07-11-2008, 06:09 PM

Good question!!! Somebody has to know!

**Hot Black Trans-Am** · 07-11-2008, 06:34 PM

Why don't you take a gas can with you and find out. It's the best way to do it.

**Y2KPewterSS** · 07-11-2008, 06:41 PM

If you keep running it low like that, you will burn up the fuel pump.

**01ws6er** · 07-11-2008, 06:43 PM

Most I've ever miled it was lik 15-20 miles but never again...and that was n stop and go traffic so I was sweatin bullets!!! And 16 gallons...??? The most I've ever been able to fit in my tank is about 12 gallons (when running the on the gas light).....????

**SVG210** · 07-11-2008, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Y2KPewterSS

If you keep running it low like that, you will burn up the fuel pump.

I destroyed my diesel injector pump by pinching every drop of diesel out of my truck.

I also heard when you run low you get alot of air to go thru your fuel lines. They can take out the regulator, and Injector(s). Source: GM service tech.

**Mr. Luos** · 07-11-2008, 07:25 PM

I understand times are tough right now...for damn near everybody.

But I ALWAYS keep at least 3/8 a tank in the T/A. Most of the time it is over a 1/2. It gets hard on the fuel pump when down that low, also allows the pump to pick up some sediment that may or may not be in the bottom of your tank.
Our fuel pump design eliminates the sediment issue though....MOST of the time.

**supercharged666** · 07-11-2008, 09:30 PM

I think there might be something wrong with my gas light because I ran out of gas before and the light never came on?????

**Boomer Sooner** · 07-11-2008, 10:03 PM

my car is never below a 1/4 of a tank.

**JoshieDoom** · 07-11-2008, 11:08 PM

98s dont have a low fuel light

I always try to keep 1/4 1/2 tank just in case something happens to my family/etc. I was taking my gf home one night and drove up on a wreck with 1/8 tank of gas left. Had to circle around damn near 50 miles. It was on e for almost the entire way. I milked it and it took over 14 gallons to fill it up. I will never do that again.. but they will run damn near forever on e. DONT DO IT

**vannatte** · 07-12-2008, 04:23 AM

1998 F-bodies have a 15.5 gallon steel fuel tank
1999-2002 F-bodies have a 16.8 gallon plastic fuel tank

I was close to empty when I filled up the other night and was only able to put 13 gallons in my car (1998). I'm guessing you 99+ guys have 2-3 gallons left when the gas light comes on.

**joejenkinsglass** · 07-12-2008, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by JoshieDoom

98s dont have a low fuel light

I always try to keep 1/4 1/2 tank just in case something happens to my family/etc. I was taking my gf home one night and drove up on a wreck with 1/8 tank of gas left. Had to circle around damn near 50 miles. It was on e for almost the entire way. I milked it and it took over 14 gallons to fill it up. I will never do that again.. but they will run damn near forever on e. DONT DO IT

the "check guages" light will come on

**michaelinchains** · 07-12-2008, 06:35 AM

reminds me of that "seinfeld" episode w/ kramer breaking off the gas needle

**third_shift|studios** · 07-12-2008, 11:09 AM

you have exactly 2 gallons remaining once you hit "E" from there you're looking at 40-50 more miles before you stop dead....i know this from experience.

**supercharged666** · 07-12-2008, 12:18 PM

Are you guys sure the check gauge light comes on when you on E for gas. My check gauge light lights up everytime I start my 98 TA but never come on when the gas gauge is on E????????

**vannatte** · 07-12-2008, 01:32 PM

From what joejenkinsglass says, that in 98's the "check gauges" light comes on when you are almost out of fuel. I've never pushed my luck far enough to have that happen. I've read somewhere before that the 98's used the "check gauges" light as an all-inclusive warning light. I'm guessing it would come on if any of your other gauges were out of whack too.

**Orcus79** · 07-12-2008, 04:55 PM

Yeap it does, on my 2002 it came on when I started to over heat as well.

**chuck4345** · 07-12-2008, 05:29 PM

my 01 has the check gages light comes on every time i get below 1/8 of a tank

**Hi-Po** · 07-12-2008, 07:38 PM

Why even let it get that low? Ether way you have to pay for it. Wheter its now, or 10 miles down the road when you run out of gas and A) have to walk to station for gas can or b) Call tow truck.

I just dont understand why anyone lets it get that low. You WILL burn a fuel pump up from doing that.