Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Pushing your luck with the Low Gas light

Old Oct 22, 2008 | 10:50 AM
  #1  
bvisser's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
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?
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2008 | 10:51 AM
  #2  
GTConversion's Avatar
Clean and comfortable
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
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.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2008 | 10:54 AM
  #3  
Renesis07's Avatar
Vtak just kicked in yo!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,053
Likes: 1
From: Lake County IL
I drove 50 city miles and died at the pump I know my cars limit.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2008 | 11:03 AM
  #4  
Jethro Tull's Avatar
Living In The Past
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 6
When did Cosmo Kramer join 8club? Oh, wait...Feb. '08.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2008 | 11:27 AM
  #5  
rotarygreg's Avatar
grass hopper
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by Jethro Tull
When did Cosmo Kramer join 8club? Oh, wait...Feb. '08.
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
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2008 | 11:41 AM
  #6  
Huey52's Avatar
Registered Zoom Zoomer
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,089
Likes: 6
From: New England
"Oh, the needle's buried."

"A man's got to know his limitations."



Originally Posted by Jethro Tull
When did Cosmo Kramer join 8club? Oh, wait...Feb. '08.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 04:20 AM
  #7  
swoope's Avatar
Zoom-Freakin'-Zoom
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 14,603
Likes: 36
From: orlando, fl
the light goes on with 2.5 gal in the tank.

do the math..

beers
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 08:34 AM
  #8  
New2u's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
mine comes on a little before 2.5 gals left. I've had mine come on, i drive about 10-20 miles and i fill up and only put 13 gallons in.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 09:17 AM
  #9  
qtwre's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga, ON
In terms of needle position, I've driven as far as having the needle a bit more than a tick's worth below empty (real scientific measurement).
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 09:17 AM
  #10  
Huey52's Avatar
Registered Zoom Zoomer
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,089
Likes: 6
From: New England
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").

Originally Posted by New2u
mine comes on a little before 2.5 gals left. I've had mine come on, i drive about 10-20 miles and i fill up and only put 13 gallons in.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 10:05 AM
  #11  
Marklar's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 935
Likes: 3
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.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 12:44 PM
  #12  
malignant's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
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.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 12:59 PM
  #13  
mzrx's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: OC
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.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 01:04 PM
  #14  
rollerbldes's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: OC
With the gauge hitting rock bottom the most I've ever filled up was 14.something. Our tanks are 16 gallons right?
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 01:19 PM
  #15  
dozer's Avatar
on his 3rd rx8
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,036
Likes: 12
From: santa ana, ca
when my light comes on i usually just push it, i know imma fill up, so why not have a lil fun
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 02:23 PM
  #16  
ZumnRx8's Avatar
RX8 & RX7 owner
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,172
Likes: 3
From: So. California
I have a Race CEll!!! :P

I have made it from Hollywood to Palmdale when my light came on .....going about 70mph

Last edited by ZumnRx8; Oct 23, 2008 at 02:26 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 04:36 PM
  #17  
04RX8man's Avatar
Rotary Powered Countryboy
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
yeah our tanks are 16gal but i fill up with a 1/4 left so idk
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 04:42 PM
  #18  
mmats69's Avatar
93.5 octane
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery, AL
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.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 04:48 PM
  #19  
kersh4w's Avatar
Hit & Run Magnet
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 3
From: DC Area
right. the mob might suddenly be after you, it would be a sucky time to run out of gas.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 04:54 PM
  #20  
Mazurfer's Avatar
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 13
From: Indialantic, Florida
Not to mention you might be sucking crap out of the bottom of the tank.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 04:57 PM
  #21  
Triperformance's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Originally Posted by kersh4w
right. the mob might suddenly be after you, it would be a sucky time to run out of gas.
Always be ready in case a mob or a ninja is after you, there quick and sneaky!
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 05:04 PM
  #22  
Marklar's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 935
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by Triperformance
Always be ready in case a mob or a ninja is after you, there quick and sneaky!
A mob you can get away from. A ninja would just be waiting for you in the back seat. You'd check the rear view mirror to see if anyone is after you and...oh ****!
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 05:08 PM
  #23  
L337fpc's Avatar
ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 6
From: Franeke
Originally Posted by Triperformance
Always be ready in case a mob or a ninja is after you, there quick and sneaky!
Thats why when i see that light, time to put 93 in.

Also our tanks are 15.9 gal.

yea i normally fill 13-14gal too, depending on how bad i procrastinate.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 05:24 PM
  #24  
Ross_Dawg's Avatar
Registered Toker
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,545
Likes: 1
From: Bend, OR
Originally Posted by ZumnRx8
I have a Race CEll!!! :P

I have made it from Hollywood to Palmdale when my light came on .....going about 70mph
Holy crap I believe this is the first post since forever that you havent double posted or used rediculously big fonts! Congratulations!
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 05:24 PM
  #25  
Socket7's Avatar
ಠ_ಠ
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 6
From: Under the Dumbarton Bridge
I'll be trying to coast into the dealership tomorrow running on fumes. They need to drop the gas tank to look at my filler neck and find out why the auto shut off does not auto shut off until after the tank overflows.
Reply

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:08 AM.