Pushing your luck with the Low Gas light
10-22-2008, 10:50 AM
#1
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Pushing your luck with the Low Gas light
Is it just me, or does the 8 low gas light fire a little prematurely?
Not so long ago I drove with the low gas light on, mostly highway driving, for more then half an hour before finding a gas station.
I'm not really complaining... Maybe I'm just used to GM cars. When the gas light goes on in a GM, that usually means the show is over.
I almost want to run it empty one time just to see how long I have (approximately) before I am truly out of gas. Or maybe one or two of you that have run out before can save me the trouble:
What's the longest amount of time you've driven with the gas light on before you have run out?
Not so long ago I drove with the low gas light on, mostly highway driving, for more then half an hour before finding a gas station.
I'm not really complaining... Maybe I'm just used to GM cars. When the gas light goes on in a GM, that usually means the show is over.
I almost want to run it empty one time just to see how long I have (approximately) before I am truly out of gas. Or maybe one or two of you that have run out before can save me the trouble:
What's the longest amount of time you've driven with the gas light on before you have run out?
10-22-2008, 10:51 AM
#2
Clean and comfortable
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In older cars, the light comes on after the needle has passed the E. On the RX-8, it seems to come as soon as it hits the last mark before the E. I think when I filled up with the light on it was about 15 gal, and I believe we have a 17 gal tank? Cars usually have a 1-2 gal buffer with the light on.
Considering our average fuel economy, that means you should be able to get roughly 30-50 miles with the light on. I don't like to push it, myself.
Considering our average fuel economy, that means you should be able to get roughly 30-50 miles with the light on. I don't like to push it, myself.
I know my cars limit.
10-22-2008, 11:27 AM
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grass hopper
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lol, i was thinking about that episode when i read this thread too. lol "hey ladies! saab 9000!" lol
I rented a pontiac g5 once and that thing was so annoying, the light would come on when you hit just less than a quarter of a tank. the worst part was, it wasnt just a light. there was a chime or a buzzer or something. I cant remember exactly what noise, but i remeber that it drove me nuts. so be thankful the 8 just has a light.
Greg
I rented a pontiac g5 once and that thing was so annoying, the light would come on when you hit just less than a quarter of a tank. the worst part was, it wasnt just a light. there was a chime or a buzzer or something. I cant remember exactly what noise, but i remeber that it drove me nuts. so be thankful the 8 just has a light.
Greg
10-22-2008, 12:15 PM
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who thoght of that episode 
I drove for about 10min on a back road with the fuel light on. When I got to the gas station they only had reguler
They were also the only station for another 10min...
I drove for about 10min on a back road with the fuel light on. When I got to the gas station they only had reguler
They were also the only station for another 10min...
10-23-2008, 09:17 AM
#11
That's about right. In your example, 1.5 gal left at fillup due to extra 20 miles driven after low fuel light comes on, plus 13 gal fill, equals 14.5 gal. Keep in mind that gas pumps auto-shut off at about 90% fill to allow for expansion and prevent spillage ("please don't overfill").
10-23-2008, 10:05 AM
#12
In my old Protege I took the low fuel light as a suggestion. With the 8, though, I don't mess around when that light comes on, not when I can practically see the fuel needle move while driving.
10-23-2008, 12:44 PM
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My light goes on about 1/8th tank left, according to the gas gauge, but then I can watch the needle go even faster which is somewhat depressing. Always hit between 13-14 gallons per fillup though.
10-23-2008, 12:59 PM
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my light goes on when I have about 2.5 g left. You can go for maybe another 50 miles granted you don't push the car hard. I have driven to the point where the needle was sitting at the E before filling up. At the point I had about 1 gallon left according to the pump when getting a refill.
10-23-2008, 02:23 PM
#17
RX8 & RX7 owner
I have a Race CEll!!! :P
I have made it from Hollywood to Palmdale when my light came on .....going about 70mph
I have made it from Hollywood to Palmdale when my light came on .....going about 70mph
Last edited by ZumnRx8; 10-23-2008 at 02:26 PM.
10-23-2008, 04:42 PM
#19
93.5 octane
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I don't know why you'd let the tank get that low in the first place. You never know when a time might come up that you'll have to drive and not be able to stop for gas.
10-23-2008, 04:57 PM
#22
10-23-2008, 05:04 PM
#23
