dfw

**Smurf50** · 05-07-2013, 09:40 PM

The 2011 is the first car I have owned with a readout telling me how many miles until empty. I like it, but I am running into a small conundrum....I get notice from the electronic display that I have 50 miles remaining while I am OVER A quarter tank on the analog meter.

Now my question is, which one should I be taking as most likely correct? I gas up usually by the time it says I have 15 miles left, but the analog gauge is still between and 1/8 and 1/4 tank...

**DirtyD** · 05-07-2013, 10:11 PM

The gas gauge is based on a few factors. Miles driven on previous tank, gear ratio, and fuel remaining. It's only an estimate, but it's pretty accurate. For safety almost all cars technically have 1-2 gallons of reserve fuel lefts even once you get to E, this is to make sure you might have a little more to stretch the extra distance to the next possibly station. Our cars have 16 (or 16.5) gal tanks, cant exactly remember. I've run my car to 0 miles to E before (15.1 gal) and within 10 miles of E (14.5ish).

Both are fairly accurate

**DirtyD** · 05-07-2013, 10:11 PM

I will add that last 1/4 tank will go faster that you realize. LOL

**kn7671** · 05-07-2013, 10:31 PM

I find myself getting gas every few days from spring through fall just to scrub the bugs off the windshield, plus it gives me another opportunity to leave the house for a short drive.

From my experience, between the three S197 5.0's I've owned, they've all been on the safe side when alerting at the 50-miles-to-empty range, and when you get down under 15-miles to empty, I've almost always had 1.5 to 2.5 gallons left in the tank.

**DirtyD** · 05-07-2013, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by kn7671

I find myself getting gas every few days from spring through fall just to scrub the bugs off the windshield, plus it gives me another opportunity to leave the house for a short drive.

From my experience, between the three S197 5.0's I've owned, they've all been on the safe side when alerting at the 50-miles-to-empty range, and when you get down under 15-miles to empty, I've almost always had 1.5 to 2.5 gallons left in the tank.

Yup, exactly what I've found

**MnemonicGhost** · 05-07-2013, 10:45 PM

Gas tanks are not symmetric at all, and with sloshing and irregular inner surfaces the fuel remaining vs. basic "depth" is not linear at all. For overall fuel economy, it is best to run it as low as possible, but don't get caught too far away from a gas station when you need it!

**Smurf50** · 05-08-2013, 12:28 AM

I guess it doesn't help that I definitely do have a lead foot...

**Phuck Phace** · 05-08-2013, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Smurf50

I guess it doesn't help that I definitely do have a lead foot...

Just wait till you switch to E85.

**Smurf50** · 05-08-2013, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by Phuck Phace

Just wait till you switch to E85.

Is it worth doing that without having a turbo/supercharger?

**DirtyD** · 05-08-2013, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by Smurf50

Is it worth doing that without having a turbo/supercharger?

For a DD, no unless you want power and don't give a shut about any type I'd efficient fuel driving. Lol

If your car sees fun day driving only, it's worth it.

**Smurf50** · 05-08-2013, 01:39 AM

Originally Posted by DirtyD

For a DD, no unless you want power and don't give a shut about any type I'd efficient fuel driving. Lol

If your car sees fun day driving only, it's worth it.

So for a long trip, say 300 miles or so it would not be worth having the E85 tune?

I only drive about 5 miles a day....at most. So the longest drives I take are my "fun" drives just to have some fun. I am sure the fact that I drive so little is part of the reason my gas mileage is absolute ass...

**DirtyD** · 05-08-2013, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by Smurf50

So for a long trip, say 300 miles or so it would not be worth having the E85 tune?

I only drive about 5 miles a day....at most. So the longest drives I take are my "fun" drives just to have some fun. I am sure the fact that I drive so little is part of the reason my gas mileage is absolute ass...

If you can afford/handle getting maybe 20-21 AVG MPG, maybe 23 max on the highway, depending on mods, then I say go for it. You can always purchase a fuel drain kit and swap back to 93 for long trips, which may be what I do when I switch to corn

**IHateThisSite** · 05-08-2013, 08:55 AM

Haha ... I get 17 with 93... But that is because traffic going home from work...

**DirtyD** · 05-08-2013, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by IHateThisSite

Haha ... I get 17 with 93... But that is because traffic going home from work...

I get a mixed MPG of 19-20 during the warm months, 18-19 during winter.

**Sieran** · 05-08-2013, 10:12 AM

Finally got over the "must drive in 4th all the time because it is fun" new car syndrome. Now that I have been skipping shifts and driving in 6th (city) I have gone from 14mpg to 18-19. Much better on my wallet.