Gas Indicator Light - How many miles left?

[tdf2001]

Has anyone tested yet how many miles that car will last after the indicator goes on?

Please take note the next time and post to this thread stating RWD or AWD, driving style and # of miles you held out before getting gas. The goal is get a feel for how long the average CX-7 can last.

I'll start:

AWD
Interstate going steady 75mph
25 miles.

 

[koala]

AWD
125 km/h
40 km

I imagine it has about 8 litres left when the light comes on, as the total capacity is 69 litres and it usually takes me about 60~ to fill when the light has just recently come on.

Based on that, theoretically with the light on you should be able to go about 70-80 km once the light comes on at the rated fuel economy given by Mazda.

 

[cliff0529]

For the US folk, I think it's a 18 gallon tank. I filled up this morning about 4-5 miles after the light came on and I put 15.5 gallons in. So that'd leave about 2.5 gallons in the tank, but I wouldn't push it that far so figure 1.5 gallons before you should absolutely fill up.

The tank this morning got me 19.5mpg (FWD Sport), so I'd say maybe 25-30 miles before I'd start panicking.

 

[AWmustang]

I wouldn't use miles after the light. It's going to vary based on the MPG you are getting at that moment.

Besides you should be filling up before that light comes on. The gas in the tank is the coolant for the fuel pump. If you let it get too low the fuel pump can get hot and have extra wear.

 

[koala]

I wouldn't use miles after the light. It's going to vary based on the MPG you are getting at that moment.

Besides you should be filling up before that light comes on. The gas in the tank is the coolant for the fuel pump. If you let it get too low the fuel pump can get hot and have extra wear.

More significantly, there is a lot of sediment that sits in the bottom of the tank... this is what I'd be worried about, if I were trying to keep it for a long time.

 

[offset_98]

More significantly, there is a lot of sediment that sits in the bottom of the tank... this is what I'd be worried about, if I were trying to keep it for a long time.

I'll be honest here guys...I've heard both arguments before and I've never complied with this. My last two cars, an Altima bought new and sold at 135,000 miles and my Explorer bought new and sold at 200,000 miles both made regular trips down to the indicator light and much beyond. I never had a problem with either one -- not gunk build-up from sediment and not a burnt out fuel pump. It takes more than draining a gas tank to kill a pump.