How Far Can You Drive Your Vehicle on Empty?

When actually empty, they all go zero miles......

 

Most fuel pumps rely on the fuel to work as a lubricant.
Its a pump after all, don't know what will happen to a pump running dry? Go buy a cheap fish tank pump and see how long it last running dry.
Running it dry makes it heat up a lot more than its supposed to.

I really wonder what the cost of a fuel pump is too.
Years ago sure they weren't actually that bad to replace. Now days? Who knows what it cost to replace one. Wouldn't be surprised if it was a very labour intensive job too.

Years ago with the old diesel VW you could screw up and put gas in it, sometimes it would even run, if not all you had to do was flush the system and thats it. Now if you do it it destroys everything. Lines, filters, pump. Turns into a $1800 repair.
Wouldn't doubt that a lot of that is because of the pump.

Really when it comes to something like this I do not understand the logic behind pushing it? Like what do you think you will hit empty and it will suddenly no longer need to run on gas? Its not a chevy volt or fiskar karma where it has gas to run a generator. You're not supposed to push it to try and get somewhere to get an alternative power source like with the new electric gas generator cars. You aren't going home to plug in to save on filling up. You run out, you need more fuel.

Really for those that do push it can someone please explain the logic behind it?
Never mind the risk of damage why the fuck would you want to run out and then need to walk to a gas station with a jerry can or call someone to come bring you fuel?

 

Do the authors of that graphic just like dicking with people or do they not understand alphabetization?

 

Whats the BFD... run fuel to empty or not?? Some like it on the edge and some like to live stress free.. vanilla or chocolate, don't be a dick taster.

 

I did that walk of shame once. Haven't played chicken with the gauge in the ensuing three decades.

 

I completely agree that running it dry is bad. Theres no real argument there. But if its still getting fuel, is it still bad for it?

 

No, if you are just running low on fuel its not bad for the pump. It could, depending on how long you keep it low, leave space in your tank and I have heard cases of condensation building up resulting in water in the fuel.

But no, always running until the light comes on isn't bad.

 

Someone can maybe confirm if its the same with the tacoma, but I know with my Jetta TDI and with all Audi and BMW you need to do a specific priming for the first fuel up and would need to do the same if you ran it dry. You can't just fill back up and then turn the key. You need the BMW software or VCDS for VW/Audi to run the priming adaption. So just think about that if you want to push it, you might run out and not even be able to just get a jerry can and keep going, might need a tow to the dealer.
I'd feel pretty stupid if I had to show up to a dealer and tell them I need the system primed because with all the technology in these cars to tell you you're low on fuel you ran out.

 

I have a 5 gal tank in the bed so.

 

I'd actually be worried someone took this info to heart and did so. It has no mention of what engine, could be the old 4L or maybe a 4cyl?
Even then I know people that have run out when their car said they had 70km remaining before empty and ran dry before that.

 

I know the BMW system is particularly insistent about the matter. If you "didn't know" you're so utterly oblivious you have no business driving.

 

speaking of BMW I would not trust their fuel gauges.
My friend has a 135i and he ran dry a few weeks ago. Didn't mean to either. He went to the station and they were out of premium so he had to go to another, on the way to the other ran dry. cluster display was saying he had 70km to go.

But yep his tow was to go to the dealer so they can prime the system. Haven't asked him what that cost him but wouldn't doubt its expensive as hell.

 

My 2010 I use the ultragauge in. But I try to fill up before the light, if not immediately after.

My Delta pump was $75. No clue on our trucks but 500-600 is what I've heard on friends' vehicles.

 

well up here during the winters, the warden gets ocd once the gauge hits 1/2. me I might go down to 1/4 but we don't chance it during the -20F winters. so big of a chance of having any condensation or water in the lines to freeze the fuel lines.

plus running a remote start goes thru the gas. its part of the convenience of having a remote start. get over it and just pay the gas bill. I tell her to never worry about the mpg ever on the truck and to never be afraid to use the dam 4x4 in winter. we paid for it, use it.

 

Growing up I had an older brother that would stop at a gas station and only put 3 to 4 gals of gas in his 73 Impala, which back then that was 3 to 4 bucks, he constantly ran out of gas, his friends and family members always had to take him some gas.

After I don`t know how many umpteen times that my mom took my brother the gas can, she told him, Hey Dumbass you see that E on the dash, E don`t stand for Ethyl Dumbass. LOL , she said this is the last time I will be bringing you gas, she never took him gas again.

He finally started filling up his tank.

I see lots of people have pushed it just see how far it will go but doing it frequently I`m sure you know it will put you on the side of the road eventually, me personally I rarely let it get to 1/4 tank.

 

I can drive mine on empty until it runs out of gas and stops.

 

If you can start it, it's not empty. Therefore the answer is always 0 miles

The premise of fuel light trigger is not the same as empty.

'Your mechanic' needs lessons in accurate writing, or needs to transfer to being a political speech writer. You know, as in ask one question and answer a different one.

 

Well now that I know, I'm absolutely going to risk it when the time comes.