I ran out of gas today?

Top_Gear_Fan · 08-13-2011, 07:55 PM

I was silly enough to trust my trip computer saying that I still had 16 miles left before I ran out of gas. So I decided to get a car wash before I got some gas. After my car wash I was going to head home so I decided to just get some gas on the way back home at Chevron since I like going to Chevron the most. Well I live on top of a hill so there was about maybe a 1 mile ascent straight up hill. During that time, the miles left was dropping fast, and by the time I reached the top of the hill it read 1 mile left. So I start to panic a bit because if I ran out of gas on a hill, that would be a big pain. At the top of the ascent there was an Arco, so I quickly pulled into that gas station for just maybe a gallon of gas so I could get to Chevron, which was maybe a few miles further up the hill.

Once I got to Arco, my on board computer read this, which is pretty much 0 miles left...

So I just got 5 bucks worth of gas there because I think Arco gas is crap.

Then when I got to Chevron I guess my credit card maxed out? So it only gave me this much gas...?

Finally I used my debit card and filled up the gas tank fully.

So I remember there being a thread about gas expanding in the summer and contracting in the winter.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570895

The tank is supposed to hold 16.1 gallons.

So of my fill ups, it read

1.316
3.403
11.148
which all adds up to 15.867
I had 0.233 gallons of gas left?

Looks like gas really does expand during the summer.

This is the first time I even let my car's gas tank get below 15 miles left. I have a few questions about this.
Is it bad to let the car's gas run really low before getting more fuel?
Is Arco's gas bad and Chevron's gas better? Or is that all in my mind and Techron is just a gimmick.
Does turning off the AC or rolling up the windows help increase mpg? If its minuscule then nvm.
Thanks.

bumere90 · 08-13-2011, 07:59 PM

Yes, it is not good for the fuel pump. My sister was doing that for quite some time and her fuel pump failed..

John 070 · 08-13-2011, 08:01 PM

As far as the gas temp thing, here we go again.....1% for every 15 degrees. 1%. So maybe it's 30 degrees higher than normal, which is considered 60 degrees. 2.6 fl oz per gal. round it up--3 oz.? That meets the TSA's 3-1-1 rule, ridiculously small.

And yes, it's bad to run a vehicle out of fuel. Do you lease this vehicle? If so, no worries. I thought ARCO was cash only as they have low prices.

jbimmer3 · 08-13-2011, 08:02 PM

I've run into situations where I have gone 10+ miles on dashes. On flat ground though. Hills will screw ya.

Bimmerologist · 08-13-2011, 08:11 PM

I've heard that letting your car go to extreme empty is infact bad for the fuel pump, that's why I always fill up at 1/2 a tank!

its cheaper that way too! Lol

Top_Gear_Fan · 08-13-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

As far as the gas temp thing, here we go again.....1% for every 15 degrees. 1%. So maybe it's 30 degrees higher than normal, which is considered 60 degrees. 2.6 fl oz per gal. round it up--3 oz.? That meets the TSA's 3-1-1 rule, ridiculously small.

And yes, it's bad to run a vehicle out of fuel. Do you lease this vehicle? If so, no worries. I thought ARCO was cash only as they have low prices.

No, this vehicle was a purchase. This is the first time I even let my car get under 15 miles left. This won't happen again, that's for sure.

g_rant · 08-13-2011, 08:15 PM

Huh, same thing happened with my credit card but it turned out it wasn't maxed out. However, there was a charge of $126 on my account from the chevron I went to

DC_Oldboy · 08-13-2011, 08:16 PM

Damn $5 is a lot of crap fuel in your tank. I would've put in like $3 lol.

JunkStory · 08-13-2011, 08:22 PM

you could run a few more miles even after you reach 0. I know, I've done it before.

tibra1 · 08-13-2011, 08:26 PM

I always put gas when the gas light comes on..just below a 1/4

John 070 · 08-13-2011, 08:27 PM

Guys, the miles to empty thing, well, it's ballpark. You may have averaged 21.7 mpg for the first 12 gallons, consisting of city and highway driving. You head out for the open highway with 89 miles left to empty reading on the computer. Well, the computer has no way of knowing you're now going to be achieving higher mpgs than what you've achieved on the first 12 gallons. Is it a surprise that you are able to drive another 119 miles before your car died and you coasted onto the shoulder, when the computer read 89 when you started? Of course it isn't, you're driving a BMW, and you took math in HS.

mike-y · 08-13-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Gear_Fan

1.316
3.403
11.148
which all adds up to 15.867
I had 0.233 gallons of gas left?

There is a couple gallon reserve after that i believe.. I've put over 16 gallons in my tank before.

Buegie · 08-13-2011, 08:35 PM

riveting tale chap, would read againg

f30er · 08-13-2011, 08:39 PM

Yea, u should still have had a couple miles left. Most I put in was exactly 16.1 gallons....I think even my fuel lines were about empty....

Etch52 · 08-13-2011, 08:48 PM

Dealer guys told me never to go low on the gas... would (not could) cause problems... perhaps a more informative gas gauge ?
What's the real story ?

shazzy04 · 08-13-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tibra1

I always put gas when the gas light comes on..just below a 1/4

1

Wires · 08-13-2011, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etch52

Dealer guys told me never to go low on the gas... would (not could) cause problems... perhaps a more informative gas gauge ?
What's the real story ?

The real story is if the gauge is low, put fuel in. Ain't rocket science!

I don't see what the point of running the tank dry. So you put in $10 more than normal, not like you're not going to burn it.

Top_Gear_Fan · 08-13-2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g_rant

Huh, same thing happened with my credit card but it turned out it wasn't maxed out. However, there was a charge of $126 on my account from the chevron I went to

Did you dispute the charges and get it cleared?

tibra1 · 08-13-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wires

The real story is if the gauge is low, put fuel in. Ain't rocket science!

I don't see what the point of running the tank dry. So you put in $10 more than normal, not like you're not going to burn it.

+1

I really dont know what is the appeal of runnin the tank to empty or close to it..nothing good comes from running the fuel system dry..nothing

Denny347 · 08-13-2011, 09:20 PM

Fuel pumps use fuel as a lube. Run it dry and risk burning up the pump.

Titanium3Series · 08-13-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denny347

Fuel pumps use fuel as a lube. Run it dry and risk burning up the pump.

+1 since it is lubing it also keep the pump temps down. When full it is completeley submerged, then as your fuel gets lower it is less effective.

AaronLBeltran · 08-13-2011, 09:55 PM

Since a good amount of people chimed in on wether running the fuel tank dry is bad and I agree with them, I'll chime in on something else. Maxing out your credit card is very bad.

08-13-2011, 07:55 PM	#1
Top_Gear_Fan Lieutenant 108 Rep 403 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	I ran out of gas today? I was silly enough to trust my trip computer saying that I still had 16 miles left before I ran out of gas. So I decided to get a car wash before I got some gas. After my car wash I was going to head home so I decided to just get some gas on the way back home at Chevron since I like going to Chevron the most. Well I live on top of a hill so there was about maybe a 1 mile ascent straight up hill. During that time, the miles left was dropping fast, and by the time I reached the top of the hill it read 1 mile left. So I start to panic a bit because if I ran out of gas on a hill, that would be a big pain. At the top of the ascent there was an Arco, so I quickly pulled into that gas station for just maybe a gallon of gas so I could get to Chevron, which was maybe a few miles further up the hill. Once I got to Arco, my on board computer read this, which is pretty much 0 miles left... So I just got 5 bucks worth of gas there because I think Arco gas is crap. Then when I got to Chevron I guess my credit card maxed out? So it only gave me this much gas...? Finally I used my debit card and filled up the gas tank fully. So I remember there being a thread about gas expanding in the summer and contracting in the winter. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570895 The tank is supposed to hold 16.1 gallons. So of my fill ups, it read 1.316 3.403 11.148 which all adds up to 15.867 I had 0.233 gallons of gas left? Looks like gas really does expand during the summer. This is the first time I even let my car's gas tank get below 15 miles left. I have a few questions about this. Is it bad to let the car's gas run really low before getting more fuel? Is Arco's gas bad and Chevron's gas better? Or is that all in my mind and Techron is just a gimmick. Does turning off the AC or rolling up the windows help increase mpg? If its minuscule then nvm. Thanks. __________________ My Ferrari 458 experience http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=738262 My McLaren MP4-12c experiences http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=794746 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=939740 Last edited by Top_Gear_Fan; 08-13-2011 at 09:03 PM..
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08-13-2011, 07:59 PM	#2
bumere90 Grozniy 177 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: Carless Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: FL iTrader: (12)	Yes, it is not good for the fuel pump. My sister was doing that for quite some time and her fuel pump failed.. __________________ -fatman
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08-13-2011, 08:01 PM	#3
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	As far as the gas temp thing, here we go again.....1% for every 15 degrees. 1%. So maybe it's 30 degrees higher than normal, which is considered 60 degrees. 2.6 fl oz per gal. round it up--3 oz.? That meets the TSA's 3-1-1 rule, ridiculously small. And yes, it's bad to run a vehicle out of fuel. Do you lease this vehicle? If so, no worries. I thought ARCO was cash only as they have low prices.
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08-13-2011, 08:02 PM	#4
jbimmer3 Captain 26 Rep 876 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Layton, UT iTrader: (3)	I've run into situations where I have gone 10+ miles on dashes. On flat ground though. Hills will screw ya. __________________ Car pics HERE
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08-13-2011, 08:11 PM	#5
Bimmerologist King of the Road 81 Rep 509 Posts Drives: F32 435i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cambridge iTrader: (4)	I've heard that letting your car go to extreme empty is infact bad for the fuel pump, that's why I always fill up at 1/2 a tank! its cheaper that way too! Lol __________________ 2014 BMW 435i xDrive Coupe /// 6MT /// M Performance Package /// M Performance Package II /// Executive Package /// Premium Package/// Adaptive LED Headlights /// Connected Drive Services /// OEM 666M Competition Wheels ///BMW Performance Kidney Grills /// Hot Girl in the Passenger Seat
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08-13-2011, 08:15 PM	#7
g_rant Lieutenant Colonel 40 Rep 1,601 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	Huh, same thing happened with my credit card but it turned out it wasn't maxed out. However, there was a charge of $126 on my account from the chevron I went to __________________
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08-13-2011, 08:16 PM	#8
DC_Oldboy Q(.)-D Q-(^.~Q) 214 Rep 5,378 Posts Drives: like an old person. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bothell, WA iTrader: (39) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.48]	Damn $5 is a lot of crap fuel in your tank. I would've put in like $3 lol. __________________
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08-13-2011, 08:22 PM	#9
JunkStory Major 160 Rep 1,307 Posts Drives: E92 M3, 8V RS3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: 98230 iTrader: (3)	you could run a few more miles even after you reach 0. I know, I've done it before.
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08-13-2011, 08:26 PM	#10
tibra1 Banned 127 Rep 6,773 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 - 2007 335i crashd Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	I always put gas when the gas light comes on..just below a 1/4
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08-13-2011, 08:27 PM	#11
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Guys, the miles to empty thing, well, it's ballpark. You may have averaged 21.7 mpg for the first 12 gallons, consisting of city and highway driving. You head out for the open highway with 89 miles left to empty reading on the computer. Well, the computer has no way of knowing you're now going to be achieving higher mpgs than what you've achieved on the first 12 gallons. Is it a surprise that you are able to drive another 119 miles before your car died and you coasted onto the shoulder, when the computer read 89 when you started? Of course it isn't, you're driving a BMW, and you took math in HS.
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08-13-2011, 08:35 PM	#13
Buegie Captain 48 Rep 714 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CT/DC iTrader: (2)	riveting tale chap, would read againg __________________ Black Dakota \| Aluminum \| Sport \| Premium \| Cold \| iDrive \| CA
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08-13-2011, 08:39 PM	#14
f30er Captain 126 Rep 993 Posts Drives: F85 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: OTP iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 Jaguar F-Type R [0.00] 2016 GMC Yukon XL [0.00] 2018 BMW X5M [0.00]	Yea, u should still have had a couple miles left. Most I put in was exactly 16.1 gallons....I think even my fuel lines were about empty....
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08-13-2011, 08:48 PM	#15
Etch52 Most roads are too short and too straight 2 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe - Premium Package Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ottawa, ON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 Honda CR-V [0.00] 2019 Honda Pilot Bl ... [0.00] 2007 BMW M Coupe [9.00]	don't go low Dealer guys told me never to go low on the gas... would (not could) cause problems... perhaps a more informative gas gauge ? What's the real story ? __________________ 2010 Honda Pilot Touring, 2013 328i xDrive Luxury Edition, 2007 M Coupe
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08-13-2011, 09:20 PM	#20
Denny347 Major 347 Rep 1,076 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E90 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (0)	Fuel pumps use fuel as a lube. Run it dry and risk burning up the pump.
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08-13-2011, 09:55 PM	#22
AaronLBeltran Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 225 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NoVA iTrader: (0)	Since a good amount of people chimed in on wether running the fuel tank dry is bad and I agree with them, I'll chime in on something else. Maxing out your credit card is very bad.
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