Most gas to fill up (empty tank)?

KlumzyDriver · 01-01-2010, 09:53 PM

I don't think I've seen it posted before, but a question on my mind has been what is the MOST gas one can expect to put in the tank on fill up?

Ostensibly, that would be after the car has run out of gas. We know the spec on the tank is that it holds 10.6 gallons. Bone dry, a fill up could theoretically take maybe a little bit more if topped off all way up the filler neck.

What we don't know is if the tank is capable of drawiing all the way down to bone dry (likely not). In other words, 10.6 gallons is not necessarily 10.6 USABLE gallons.

Have any I2 owners here run the tank "empty" and how much did the car then take to then fill? Anybody experience a "fill up" of more than 10.2 or 10.3 gallons?

Willie Williford · 01-02-2010, 01:48 AM

Running a "tank dry" has the potential of "burning up" the fuel pump. NOT RECOMMENDED.

Willie

fuelmiser · 01-02-2010, 06:38 AM

I do nearly 90% of nothing but stop and go driving in the city and my average tank is almost 390 miles. I drive until the light comes on and the needle is pretty low. I sometimes put about 9.2 to 9.6 gallons per fill up.

Ehetleos · 01-02-2010, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie Williford

Running a "tank dry" has the potential of "burning up" the fuel pump. NOT RECOMMENDED.

Willie

True. Don't expect the "empty fuell" sign to turn on in order to refill.

mrkcohen · 01-02-2010, 09:08 AM

When I first got my Insight I pushed it to answer this very question.

I haven't actually run out of gas yet, but the most fuel I ever squeezed in was 10.3 gallons after a 500+ mile tank. I went about 40 miles past when the estimated remaining mileage had gone to zero.

I did the same thing with my '03 Civic Hybrid when it was new with the exception that I actually DID run that one out of gas. I did this intentionally as I wanted to see the absolute max miles I could get from a single tank (over 700). I was carrying a gallon of gas with me and when it stalled out I pulled over and put the fuel in and started the car with no issues. I didn't burn up the fuel pump.

According to the Insight manual the low fuel warning comes on with 1.8 gallons of fuel left. I have no concerns about driving 70 or so miles after the light pops on if needs be.

KlumzyDriver · 01-02-2010, 03:08 PM

10.3 gallons on fill and 40 miles past "remaining miles = 0" without running dry sounds pretty good to me. I'm not advocating running the tank dry, but it's nice to know what you can expect the absolute limits to be before that situation happens.

I'd be interested to know if anybody has done more than this benchmark.

fuelmiser · 01-02-2010, 03:25 PM

That's why I like the idea of doing the 1 oz. of Amsoil 2-cycle for every 5 gallons of gas that goes in the tank. It's good for lubricating the fuel pump.

It seems that right after I stopped using it, my MPG has dropped. Probably just psychological.

I just bought a K&N Filter for the 2010 Insight. I want to see if that will raise the MPG any. I want to do anything that will help squeak out 450+ miles per tank in bad stop and go city driving.

Cobb · 01-03-2010, 10:27 PM

I was running tight one day and drove per the reminder that I have 40 miles to go. I got to zero and to a gas station that was out of everything but high test. I didnt want to fill up, so bought a gallon knowing I could go at least 45miles to a cheaper gas station at my next stop. I stopped at one gallon and drove off. The gas meter did not move and my low fuel light was still on.

Having said that, most I got was 9.7 gallons. What Willie said is right, the fuel pump is kept inside the fuel tank using the fuel as a lubrication and cooling agent. I just hope they use a brushless motor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuelmiser

I just bought a K&N Filter for the 2010 Insight. I want to see if that will raise the MPG any. I want to do anything that will help squeak out 450+ miles per tank in bad stop and go city driving.

Good luck with that. So far no mpg increases from previous users, just more power by seat of the pants dyno.

fuelmiser · 01-04-2010, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobb

Good luck with that. So far no mpg increases from previous users, just more power by seat of the pants dyno.

Being that our cars show MPG, you can see that it doesn't work. I guess it's nice that I'll never need to buy another air filter for as long as I own the car, but that's about it. I'll have to go through the nasty mess of having to clean and oil it when it hits 25,000 miles. Sounds like hassle, but oh well.

Cobb · 01-04-2010, 10:27 AM

I had one and a cai for my tacoma. Its not too difficult to clean, its just waiting for it to air dry, then oil and dry before use. I am on call, so its difficult to wait around for something like that.

Then there is a lot of info about kn not filtering as well as regular filters, the oil fouling the sensors, etc. I think I am sticking with the oem one for now. If I get another super or turbo charged, yeah some type of reusable filter as cai well.