mysleeper6
Member
- :
- 2006 Mazdaspeed6
So I'm cruising along in my MS6, headed for a destination about 40 miles from my home when I realize that a) I'm low on fuel and b) I left my wallet at home. I wasn't quite at my final destination, but I couldn't just turn around either; I had to be there at a certain time. So, I pressed on. About four miles from the end the low fuel light came on.
My previous car's owner's manual (a Ford product) clearly stated that when the low fuel light came on, 2.2 gal remained in the tank. Doing some quick math, I figured I would not have to embarass myself by asking for gas money from anyone if this car was similar, but I wanted confirmation. The manual for the MS6 states that they recommend keeping the level above 1/4 full and that when the low fuel light illuminates to fill the tank as soon as possible. It does not, however, mention a specific volume of fuel associated with the low fuel light. A quick call to Mazda roadside assistance provided no help.
Well, I completed my business and decided that I would take a chance (if you want to tell me I risked burning up my fuel pump, save it---I know) and at the same time do some computation. Long story short, I drove a total of 46 miles from the time the light illuminated, and it required 15.25 gallons to fill it up. In theory, I still had .65 gallons in the tank (15.9 gallon capacity). In total I drove 371 miles on those 15.25 gallons, or 24.3 mpg. So those 46 miles required 1.89 gallons. Adding back the .65 yields a total volume of remaining fuel when the low fuel light illuminates of approximately 2.54 gallons, so lets say 2.5 gallons and a range of 60.75 miles.
So, I know I'm stupid for leaving the wallet at home, and this may call to mind a Seinfeld episode for more than one of you, but I turned it into a learning experience. I do not recommend further research into this subject.(silly)
My previous car's owner's manual (a Ford product) clearly stated that when the low fuel light came on, 2.2 gal remained in the tank. Doing some quick math, I figured I would not have to embarass myself by asking for gas money from anyone if this car was similar, but I wanted confirmation. The manual for the MS6 states that they recommend keeping the level above 1/4 full and that when the low fuel light illuminates to fill the tank as soon as possible. It does not, however, mention a specific volume of fuel associated with the low fuel light. A quick call to Mazda roadside assistance provided no help.
Well, I completed my business and decided that I would take a chance (if you want to tell me I risked burning up my fuel pump, save it---I know) and at the same time do some computation. Long story short, I drove a total of 46 miles from the time the light illuminated, and it required 15.25 gallons to fill it up. In theory, I still had .65 gallons in the tank (15.9 gallon capacity). In total I drove 371 miles on those 15.25 gallons, or 24.3 mpg. So those 46 miles required 1.89 gallons. Adding back the .65 yields a total volume of remaining fuel when the low fuel light illuminates of approximately 2.54 gallons, so lets say 2.5 gallons and a range of 60.75 miles.
So, I know I'm stupid for leaving the wallet at home, and this may call to mind a Seinfeld episode for more than one of you, but I turned it into a learning experience. I do not recommend further research into this subject.(silly)
