# Dashboard "Miles Till Empty" - how accurate? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 4, 2015, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985 "2015-08-04T17:09:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/81 "2015-08-05T01:33:38Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > OK, ketchup browser must be a typo/auto-correct, but for what? šŸ˜ƒ I was accused of possibly lingering too long in the ketchup aisle in a previous post. Which I do not, I hate ketchup! ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/82 "2015-08-05T01:37:29Z")
> [@slash2k](#): > > You didnā€™t CHOOSE to do something that made an earthquake more likely. However, you did CHOOSE to do something that made an accident more likely. > > I can find dozens if not hundreds of cites for fatal accidents just in the past several years caused by a car running out of gas; how many will it take to concern you? Why would you deliberately put yourself AND THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU in a situation that makes injury/death more likely? (Remember, it might be [passengers](http://www.cbs46.com/story/23936034/2-killed-after-car-runs-out-of-gas-on), [children](http://www.khou.com/story/news/2014/07/19/11702456/), [good](http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/good-samaritan-fatally-struck-on-i-70-while-helping-driver-who-ran-out-of-gas) [Samaritans](http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local-news/young-mother-good-samaritan-killed-by-hit-and), or [other](http://www.startribune.com/cabdriver-killed-in-pileup-on-i-494/176238511/)[drivers](http://www.wlky.com/news/fatal-accident-closes-southbound-i65/30526888) who pay the price for your decision to have a ā€œfantasticā€ adventure.) Running out of gas is not an ā€œadventureā€ā€“it just happens occasionally. No one has ever died or been injured because I ran out of gas. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/83 "2015-08-05T02:30:19Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > [**Read this**](http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/195). With illustrations. You know I have seen this chestnut around the net as one of those ā€œeveryone knowsā€ but doesnā€™t stand up when you think about it The fuel pump is a small 12V DC electric motor that on newer cars runs a a variable speed. (Slower speed = less heat generated) As long as fuel is flowing the pump is being cooled. Small 12V motors donā€™t create a lot of heat, so it doesnā€™t take a lot of fuel to cool it and contrary to what your cite says a non return fuel system keeps the fuel cooler that a system that routed excess fuel up to the engine compartment where it picked up lots and lots heat from the engine before being returned to the tank to warm that fuel up. But if it makes you happier to never let your fuel drop below a set point feel free. Getting back to the OP the engine control module knows exactly how much fuel is injected. You odometer/ speedometer know how fast and far you have traveled. That leaves how much fuel do you have left. Here is the problem. You gas gauge is a guesstimate at best. In many cases it is nothing more than a wild ass guess. I know of some model cars that the fuel level float bottoms out in the tank with two gallons left by design. In addition to that you DTE knows what you you have been getting in gas mileage, it canā€™t look ahead and tell upcoming conditions. Hereā€™s an example. The Volvo system averages your fuel mileage over the last 16 miles to get your DTE. So you have spent the last 100 miles on flat ground at a steady 65 MPH getting say 40 MPG. Your low fuel light comes on at an indicated 2 gallons left with a DTE of 80 miles. You now get off the freeway and start driving up a hill in stop and go traffic getting say 8 MPG. Maybe. No way in hell you are going to last 80 miles. When you add in the fact as you go up a hill or accelerate the fuel will run to the back of the tank, away from the pickup, you had better find a station fairly soon. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/84 "2015-08-05T03:22:02Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > I was accused of possibly lingering too long in the ketchup aisle in a previous post. > > Which I do not, I hate ketchup! Iā€™m a Heinz man, cause, ya know Hunts is for \*\*\*TS. So, some of us like to keep the tank full and others like to flirt with ā€œEā€. But can we all agree that weā€™re better than those mass transit goofs? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/85 "2015-08-05T10:49:52Z")
No, we cannot. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/86 "2015-08-05T12:23:05Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > A parent ought to have a way to quickly get a baby to the hospital. I donā€™t have a baby at the moment, but if I did, I would certainly keep gas in my car and change a million other things as well. And a really responsible parent would have a fully fueled helicopter on their roof ready for just such an emergency. I donā€™t imagine you have an issue with those of us who like to keep our helicopter fuel tank topped up, right? Although, letting it run out would be a really ā€˜fantasticā€™ adventure. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/87 "2015-08-05T12:46:51Z")
I have to say Iā€™m right with **AnaMen** on this one, though I donā€™t see why we need to argue about it. Having said that, my wife cannot bear the idea of running out so that does occasionally create unnecessary stress. I may try running out deliberately if we are in no rush to get somewhere, as has been suggested, but I donā€™t think Iā€™d go that far but that would always waste more time than just filling up in the first place. In all the cars I have driven I could count on at least 20 miles of driving after the fuel light comes on, provided not too much acceleration or braking is needed. In my current car, the fuel light comes on when the computer says 30 miles to go, and I have driven a further 30 miles after the computer said 0 (with the fuel gauge indicating beyond empty). So Iā€™m pretty comfortable about letting it go to 0 if itā€™s more convenient or cheaper to fill up next time. On the other hand, I live 400 yards from a petrol station and am rarely more than a 5 miles from one, so easy for me to say. The only time I have run out in 13 years of driving is in a car that I knew was getting low, but the fuel light hadnā€™t come on so I figured I was safe. Turned out it wasnā€™t equipped with a fuel light :). Yes, it was inconvenient, but I have definitely saved myself time overall. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/88 "2015-08-05T12:56:37Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > And a really responsible parent would have a fully fueled helicopter on their roof ready for just such an emergency. > > I donā€™t imagine you have an issue with those of us who like to keep our helicopter fuel tank topped up, right? Although, letting it run out would be a really ā€˜fantasticā€™ adventure. Maybe if they lived in a remote area where that might be necessary, they would indeed. I have no issue with people keeping their tanks full. Itā€™s when they are driving and start panicking because they only have a quarter tank left that I have a problem with. I find it very annoying to be around anxious people who simultaneously demand and refuse reassurance and when there isnā€™t even a legitimate cause for concern, it is especially unnecessary. Also, if we are already running late and someone insists on stopping for gas when there is enough gas in the tank to go hundreds more miles, that is also very aggravating. It is inconsiderate to try to infect others with your anxiety. Running out of gas is not an adventure and I never said it was. Itā€™s just not the big deal you are imagining. Sure, some freak accident could somehow occur, but slicing a bagel could go wrong too. If you run out of gas and donā€™t freak out about it, you will in all likelihood be fine. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Angry\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@The\_Angry\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Angry_Badger)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/89 "2015-08-05T13:23:45Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > Running out of gas is not an adventure and I never said it was. Itā€™s just not the big deal you are imagining. Iā€™m with you on that, but having run out myself a couple of times, I know itā€™s not (usually) a big deal or an adventure, but it \*is \*a pain in the arse. Walking several miles each way or trying to beg a lift off someone, paying for a fuel can that you donā€™t otherwise needā€¦ why run that risk? To deliberately flirt with being stranded like that just for the sake of not stopping off somewhere for five minutes (which, after all, is just delaying the inevitable - youā€™ve got to fill up sometime) seems kind of dumb to me. Personally, if I know Iā€™m getting low (like below 1/4 tank) and Iā€™m driving past a station, Iā€™ll pull in and fill up while itā€™s convenient. I wonā€™t bother to actually go out of my way unless Iā€™ve only got 30 miles or so left. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/90 "2015-08-05T13:25:10Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > Maybe if they lived in a remote area where that might be necessary, they would indeed. > > I have no issue with people keeping their tanks full. Itā€™s when they are driving and start panicking because they only have a quarter tank left that I have a problem with. I find it very annoying to be around anxious people who simultaneously demand and refuse reassurance and when there isnā€™t even a legitimate cause for concern, it is especially unnecessary. Also, if we are already running late and someone insists on stopping for gas when there is enough gas in the tank to go hundreds more miles, that is also very aggravating. It is inconsiderate to try to infect others with your anxiety. > > Running out of gas is not an adventure and I never said it was. Itā€™s just not the big deal you are imagining. Sure, some freak accident could somehow occur, but slicing a bagel could go wrong too. If you run out of gas and donā€™t freak out about it, you will in all likelihood be fine. Your talking about two different things. Sure, if you have enough gas and filling up would make you five minutes late, there is no need to fill up. But if itā€™s a close call, which you seem to like to do, I would much rather be 5 minutes late (becase I stopped for gas) that 2 hours (because I didnā€™t). Running out of gas is a much bigger deal than you make it out to be for some of us that donā€™t have a gas station on every corner. And an even bigger deal to those that end up in accidents. It is also incosiderate to try to infect others with your careless attitude. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/91 "2015-08-05T13:27:24Z")
I donā€™t know if you realize this or not but at this point Iā€™m just messing with you as far as browsing the ketchup aisle and helicopters. I do think that youā€™re guilty of ascribing all sorts of negative characteristics to those of us who hate to see the needle on the fuel guage drop below a quarter (or whatever level above running on fumes). To be honest, if you ran out of gas in front of me, Iā€™d certainly help you push your car to a safe spot at the side of the road and Iā€™d do so with a smile and a wave. I might even offer you a ride to the nearest gas station. Doesnā€™t mean I wouldnā€™t call you a dumbass the second you stepped out of the car. But I suppose youā€™d say youā€™d expect that from an anxiety pill popping a-hole like me. Oh, well. Serves me right. I probably should have let you walk for the adventure and the exercise. šŸ˜› ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/92 "2015-08-05T13:29:00Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > Sure, some freak accident could somehow occur, but slicing a bagel could go wrong too. It can be deadly, which is why I always place my bagels over a broom handle. Itā€™s _much_ safer and I can immediately sweep the crumbs under the rug. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/93 "2015-08-05T13:42:59Z")
So anywayā€¦ Oh, back to the OP. Here is my anecdote. Newly purchased MINI Cooper S, with a DTE indicator as one of the options on the dash. It was a new car to me, so I had no past experience with how accurate the DTE was. I ran out of gas and drifted to a happy-it-was-there exit ramp on the interstate. DTE said 32 miles till empty as it drifted to the side of the road. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/94 "2015-08-05T13:54:01Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I donā€™t know if you realize this or not but at this point Iā€™m just messing with you as far as browsing the ketchup aisle and helicopters. > > I do think that youā€™re guilty of ascribing all sorts of negative characteristics to those of us who hate to see the needle on the fuel guage drop below a quarter (or whatever level above running on fumes). To be honest, if you ran out of gas in front of me, Iā€™d certainly help you push your car to a safe spot at the side of the road and Iā€™d do so with a smile and a wave. I might even offer you a ride to the nearest gas station. Doesnā€™t mean I wouldnā€™t call you a dumbass the second you stepped out of the car. But I suppose youā€™d say youā€™d expect that from an anxiety pill popping a-hole like me. > > Oh, well. Serves me right. I probably should have let you walk for the adventure and the exercise. šŸ˜› Iā€™m blocking the helicopter aisle right now to type this. Are you the dude screaming and throwing ketchup at me? I will move when Iā€™ve made my selection, wait your turn! I hope this copter comes with enough gas to make it home, because I will not be filling it up any time soon. I can always make an emergency landing atop your car. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/95 "2015-08-05T14:04:32Z")
> [@Mr.Goob](#): > > I have a motorcycle with no gas gauge. I live and die (or walk and push) depending on the trip odometer. Around town Iā€™ll go down pretty far. On a road trip, Iā€™m stopping early and often. > > Iā€™ve done that walk of shame with only 2 dollars in my pocket. Never again. I _always_ wore m/c boots while riding the m/c. And those boots _always_ had a five dollar bill in the left pocket. I donā€™t worry about running out of fuel. I donā€™t run out of fuel because I put fuel in before it runs out. I also put in fuel if I may need it later. If Iā€™m not running out, and Iā€™m not going to need it later, I donā€™t put in fuel. We have 4 cars parked here, I have road coverage, I live in the city, and the chance of something bad happening to me would not be materially affected even if I did let it run out ā€“ which the last 40 years have shown I donā€™t need to keep it full to avoid. If I was in a different situation, I might be planning for ā€œneed it laterā€ more often, but even then I would be putting fuel in so that I could use the car, not because of some insane fear of disaster. Running out of fuel _might_ damage my car. It doesnā€™t say so in the users manual, but what would they know? Other cars are different. Diesel engines are different. If you have (an old car with) crap in the bottom of your fuel tank, itā€™s not the running out that causes the problems. But the reason given for going to the expense of putting fuel gauges on m/cā€™s and small eastern-European cars was the it was impossible to meet air-pollution standards if you let the vehicle run out of gasoline. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/96 "2015-08-05T14:16:16Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Itā€™s going to vary but generally Iā€™d say you will get at least 40 miles. > > Keep in mind that fuel pumps are often/usually cooled by fuel and tend to overheat and wear when they suck air. This is it. Further, the high pressure fuel pump is inside the fuel tank. Changing it involves dropping the fuel tank to access it. This isnā€™t cheap. On the other hand, it makes an excellent anti-theft device. Iā€™ve done so on several cars by locating the wiring to the pump, and splicing a hidden switch into the line. When you park, turn the fuel pump off. When youā€™re ready to go, turn it back on. Works like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/97 "2015-08-05T14:28:12Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Your talking about two different things. Sure, if you have enough gas and filling up would make you five minutes late, there is no need to fill up. > > But if itā€™s a close call, which you seem to like to do, I would much rather be 5 minutes late (becase I stopped for gas) that 2 hours (because I didnā€™t). Running out of gas is a much bigger deal than you make it out to be for some of us that donā€™t have a gas station on every corner. And an even bigger deal to those that end up in accidents. > > It is also incosiderate to try to infect others with your careless attitude. Some hobbies have risks, yes, even risks to others. What if youā€™re skydiving and hurt yourself and emergency personnel must be called to deal with it? Does that mean skydiving is just a selfish and irresponsible thing to do? What if you are hiking and get hurt and someone must cart you to safety, inconveniencing themselves? Running your gas very low may not seem fun for you, but itā€™s just a little personal challenge to pass the time and keep myself focused and alert while driving. Iā€™m not encouraging others to play this game. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/98 "2015-08-05T14:43:32Z")
Am I the only one who has a car where the DTE doesnā€™t go all the way to 0? On both our cars, actually. They will get to about 30 or so and then at some point it just goes blank, or --. I reset the trip odo at each fill up anyway and pay more attention to it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/99 "2015-08-05T14:49:24Z")
Itā€™s a hobby now :rolleyes: ? Comparable to the ones you listed? Can you say false equivalency? - > [@AnaMen](#): > > Some hobbies have risks, yes, even risks to others. What if youā€™re skydiving and hurt yourself and emergency personnel must be called to deal with it? Does that mean skydiving is just a selfish and irresponsible thing to do? What if you are hiking and get hurt and someone must cart you to safety, inconveniencing themselves? > > Running your gas very low may not seem fun for you, but itā€™s just a little personal challenge to pass the time and keep myself focused and alert while driving. **Iā€™m not encouraging others to play this game**. (Bolding mine)Except your ex boyfriend in post #5. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985/100 "2015-08-05T15:03:40Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > Iā€™m blocking the helicopter aisle right now to type this. Are you the dude screaming and throwing ketchup at me? I will move when Iā€™ve made my selection, wait your turn! > > I hope this copter comes with enough gas to make it home, because I will not be filling it up any time soon. I can always make an emergency landing atop your car. SDMB: we go sublime to ridiculous in 3.5 seconds, while running on empty. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dashboard-miles-till-empty-how-accurate/726985.md?page=6)