Gas Mileage "Range"

[Bailey4427]

Hello folks I just bought a 2012 Mazda 5 and I'm new to the forums. Getting some great info here from all the members. The one question I have is does anyone know how far you can get AFTER the "range" (distance to empty) reads "0"?
I just want to make sure I don't run out of gas.

 

[ukulele]

Well, I never went that far, I think the lowest I've gone down is to about 30 miles to empty and that was because I wanted to stick a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner in there, I usually fill when my tank is between 1/4 to 1/2 tank, I don't like driving without a full tank, just my preference I guess.

Funny thing though, the other day, I hit the NJ Turnpike and my miles to empty actually went UP!! When I got on the TP it read 272, then went up to 273, then 274, then it stood there for like 5 miles, then it started to go back down, 273, 272, 271, etc. I thought that was funny. I had it on cruise on 65mph, didn't touch the brakes the whole way.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Hello folks I just bought a 2012 Mazda 5 and I'm new to the forums. Getting some great info here from all the members. The one question I have is does anyone know how far you can get AFTER the "range" (distance to empty) reads "0"?
I just want to make sure I don't run out of gas.

I don’t have a digital gas gauge but does your car also come with a “low” gas warning light? If so, how does this compare to this “range = 0” you are asking?

One way you can find out is go to the same gas station and fill up (not top off). Drive again until this range = 0 thing displays and get back to the same station/pump and fill up (not top off). May want to bring a spare gallon of gas Take the total you just filled and subtract the tank capacity (and extra gallon if you added some). It won’t be absolute science but it’ll give you an idea how many gallons (or fraction of) is left and depending on how you drive will determine how many miles you can go.

 

[cburrell]

For most Mazda's, I know this to be the case for my 2010 5 and my 2012 3, when the empty light comes on there is about three gallons left in the tank. I have verified this on my 5 by going to work (which is about 40 miles), right after the empty light has come on, and when I filled up and topped off, I put 14.5 to 15 gallons in and the 5's tank is 15.9 gallons. I have done this numerous times with roughly the same results. So now when the light comes on, it really doesn't worry me as much, because I know I have at least 2 more gallons I can use before i really have to start worrying. When I fill up right when the light comes on, I usually top off around 13 gallons. Since your 2012 5 has the same 15.9 gallon capacity tank. the numbers should be similar, but you should experiment on yours to find out how your vehicle does.

 

[Wishmaster]

http://tankonempty.com/viewcar/Mazda/MAZDA5

 

[mwcbu08]

Based on how built are the late generation fuel systems on our cars today, I would not recommend this practice too often. from what I know some if not all vehicule have high pressure fuel pump inside their tank which are 'fuel cooled'. Some cars were prone to pump failure reason being fuel level too low not enough cooling of the pump.

 

[cburrell]

Based on how built are the late generation fuel systems on our cars today, I would not recommend this practice too often. from what I know some if not all vehicule have high pressure fuel pump inside their tank which are 'fuel cooled'. Some cars were prone to pump failure reason being fuel level too low not enough cooling of the pump.

Agreed, never said it was a good practice, but sometimes for me a necessary one. I just try to not make it a habit.

 

[ukulele]

I've heard that argument where the fuel cools the pump. I'm sure it may cool the pump but what kind of a cut-rate engineer do we have on board with a major auto manufacturer that draws up a fuel system that REQUIRES that the tank never go empty just to keep the pump cool. Doesn't make sense to me. The fuel pump should perform the same whether the tank is 100% full, 50% full, or 25% full. IMHO, it's an "old wives' tale." That's like saying your network router should be kept in the fridge so it doesn't overheat.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I don’t have a digital gas gauge but does your car also come with a “low” gas warning light? If so, how does this compare to this “range = 0” you are asking?

So can any +'12 owner answer this?? I have a feeling this "range" value is a real-time calculated value so in theory, when it is = 0, it should literally mean you are dead out of water (but not 100% accurate). I would suspect this range value to change drastically if you are heavy on the throttle.

I’m guessing this b/c supplemental devices like Scangauge, ultragauge, dash hawk type devices can do this type of range calc. I’ve also seen this in some newer cars but never checked to see if they also have a “low gas warning” light.

 

[cdnballer]

Took my car down to zero recently by accident, only drove a few kilometers on it without any problems.

Easiest way to figure out how much range you have left after hitting zero is find out how much reserve is in the tank. I believe the fuel tank is 55 to 60L and when I hit "0" I only put about 53L max, meaning you've got another 7L to go.

Not a good idea to leave tank running empty all the time because water vapor can build up in fuel tank, which gets into the fuel lines and could freeze up.