Where on the gas gauge is truly empty?

So I've had my 2012 DCSB OR for a few months now and after filling up a dozen times so far I've noticed that even when it says I'm empty... I'm really no where near it. I was a little bold last time and I took it all the way down to the E line and I was still able to put 17.5 gallons (after topping off) in a 21.1 gallon tank.

So am I reading the fuel capacity wrong or is the gas gauge really have that much room to play with even at the E marker?

 

If E was 0.0 ounces of fuel, people would be stranded everywhere.

E means it's time to fill up the tank, not that you're out of gas.

 

Just curious... When you're at "E" how much do you have left?

 

Not to mention these gauges aren't all that accurate...

 

I think reserve is 3.1 gallons or thereabouts, but the gauge registering E compared to remaining fuel actually left is not really something you can draw a straight line to.

 

Yeah my wife would be sitting on the side of the road more than she actually drives

 

When I was young with little cash for gas, I'd run a test taking a 1gal can of gas with me, drive until out of gas. Then I knew where empty was at, and move on. Now I can afford a full tank every now and then.

 

I just found out a couple weeks ago that my "low fuel" warning light actually works.

 

21.1 gallon tank that takes 14 gallons to fill when it reads 1/4 tank. LoL

I'd love to have an accurate gas gauge on a vehicle some day.

 

The needle will bury below the E when you are out of gas. My Tacoma even started after it died and I got to a gas station a few miles away.

 

Wish in one hand, shit in the other..

 

Lol one of my dad's favorite lines.

 

I routinely run into the fuel light. I go through a couple of tanks a week so fuel economy and fuel stops are a big deal to me. I like to stretch it. On my '05 I will drive 80 km once the fuel light is on and still have more than a gallon left.

 

For real?? you can go almost 50 miles? Am I reading that right?

 

Little hard on the fuel pump to do that just for a shits and giggles habit. No?

 

His truck, maybe.

Whatever your truck MPG is, you have no more than 3 gallons in reserve supply after you hit E. Whether that's 60 miles or 16, depends on truck, driver, conditions and average fuel economy for your vehicle.

 

When my warning light came on I was still about 5 miles out on the freeway and I was terrified!

 

My grandfather was an auto parts guy for like 30 or 40 years. He told me before I was even old enough to drive two things:

1) It is only your fault if you run out of gas.
2) Never run your tank below 1/4. Doing so routinely causes premature fuel pump failure.

Dunno if that's still true today!

 

This is a better reaction than overheating a fuel pump, IMO.