'95 Geo Prizm, 1.6L, auto. Wondering how far down I can run the gas tank before I run out. I know its not good for the fuel pump. The gauge drops like a rock after the 1/4 mark. Most I ever refilled with was 8.1 gallons. Actual gas tank capacity does not help, because all the capacity is not usable.
Asking how many gallons others have used before running out?
My 95 Prizm will run well below the E on the gauge. The most I have ever put in was somewhere around 10.5-10.7 gallons. If you really want to know, take a gallon or two of gas with you in a can and run it out. There is a filter on the pump and I wouldn't expect any damage to the pump just doing it once.
As to part of the tank not being usable, I would be suprised if there was any significant fuel below the pump. I've had my pump out and seen the baffled set up the pump sits in and it wasn't real clear, but I would be surprised if there was more than 0.5 gallon in the bottom when the pump started sucking air.
I've had cases where I filled up a little over 11 gallons. Most ever I recall was around 12, the car pretty much died as I was pulling into the gas station. Won't be attempting that again.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBO Das Automagazin
A BRZ, a curvy mountain road makes one liter of happiness hormones.
The gas will drop a lot faster under 1/4 because it volitizes into the air in the tank (newer cars like the Prius have a flexible "bladder" tank to eliminate air in the tank). I always fill up at half way. Better MPG FTW.
The gas will drop a lot faster under 1/4 because it volitizes into the air in the tank (newer cars like the Prius have a flexible "bladder" tank to eliminate air in the tank). I always fill up at half way. Better MPG FTW.
Doesn't really make sense as it is a sealed system - the only way the fuel tank level can go down is by burning fuel, which you do at a constant rate (vapours get caught in the charcoal canister and burnt, and excess pressure from the fuel rail gets returned to tank). Also, remember that gas is a LOT less dense than liquid, you'd be lucky to have a litre/quart of fuel vapour in a near empty tank, which is nowhere near enough to affect the gauge.
What you are really experiencing is simply a non-linear output from the fuel level sender - due to the shape of the tank the level will most likely drop unevenly, so that a depth change of 20cm when the tank is full might represent 20L, but in the bottom of the tank it might represent 5L. Since the gauge is representing level, not volume of fuel, it is perfectly normal to get a non-linear sweep of the needle in relation to the volume of fuel left in the tank.
__________________
Charlene - 1997 AE102 sedan: FXGT of awesome
Billie - 1981 KE55 sedan: GOOOONNNE
Rosie - 1986 AE82 Twincam Seca: Converted into garage space
Charlie - 1988 ST62 liftback: Moored in the garage
Lexi - 1995 JZZ30 GTTL: Hunting n00bs in Skylines and SS Commodores
the longer you wait to fill up, the more gas vapor comes out when you take off the cap.
A properly functioning fuel cap and charcoal canister should prevent any buildup of pressure or vacuum in the tank - if you regularly get a hissing sound when you go to fill up on an empty tank (be it from pressurised vapour escaping or air being sucked in by the vacuum) then in most cases one or both of the above systems isn't functioning properly.
Using simple chemistry, one mole of gas expands to 24L at room temperature and pressure (100kPa/14.5psi, 300K). One mole of octane (a good analogy for the mixture that is petrol) weighs approximately 115g. Thus, to completely fill a 50L fuel tank you'd require roughly 2 moles of octane vapour, giving you a grand total of 230g. 230g of liquid octane is approximately 300ml of liquid, or 0.6% of the total volume of the tank, waaaaay too small to effect the level of the gauge.
__________________
Charlene - 1997 AE102 sedan: FXGT of awesome
Billie - 1981 KE55 sedan: GOOOONNNE
Rosie - 1986 AE82 Twincam Seca: Converted into garage space
Charlie - 1988 ST62 liftback: Moored in the garage
Lexi - 1995 JZZ30 GTTL: Hunting n00bs in Skylines and SS Commodores
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Hiro Protagonist For This Useful Post:
13.2 gallons, fuel light (on both tachometer and non-tachometer clusters) comes on at 10 burned. You'll feel it sputter before you run out...but not more than a mile or two.
farthest I ever went was 372 miles on my 93 corolls. went a hundred miles on the freeway with the fuel light on lmao. stupid decision. got extremely lucky as I reached my exit as soon as the car started lurching for lack of gas. I was waiting at the stop and one block away was the gas station and my car shut off. kept turning until it turned on and used the last bit of gas to reach the gas pump. this was all freeway driving lol. i filled up 12.3 gallons
Wow@ the explanation of Hiro Protagonist from AU
Abdurahman you were lucky!
GM did not put a low fuel warning light on Geo Prizms built at NUMMI alongside Corollas. Or if there was a light, mine burnt out.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Gas tank Capacity
Linear Mode
