Gas tank capacity

[dschrello]

I'm a happy new 2009 Vibe owner trying to figure out how much gas the tank REALLY holds. I deliberately ran it down until the fuel indicator was just above the "E" and the low fuel light came on briefly for a few miles and then went back out. Five miles later or so I filled up the tank -- with 13.6 gallons!So much for the 13.2 gallon tank capacity listed in the owners manual. Since the fuel guage was still not on E and the low fuel warning light had not come back on, there must have been at least a gallon of gas yet in the tank.So, can anyone tell me what's the real gas tank capacity?And how much fuel still remains in the tank when the low-fuel warning light comes on? (Or, how many miles do you really have to refill?)Don SchrelloLong Beach, CA

[zionzr2]

I think there is about a 2 gallon "reserve" once the light goes on.My manual states I have a 11.9 gallon tank and I routinely put 13 gallons in. I also fill to the tippy top not just the pump cut off point.

[jake75]

In my experience there is a lot of variability between specific units of the same make and model. My '09 Vibe low fuel warning comes on when there is about 3 gal left. The '03 I had was about the same. My 2004 T&C had a very accurate fuel gauge - when it said you were 1/4 tank you were at 1/4 tank. My identical 2007 has a least 3/8 tank left when the gauge reads 1/4. I always stop filling when the pump stops.

[star_deceiver]

I'm assuming that when it clicks off, that's the 11.9 gal tank..... then you put in another $5.If you've got more than 1 person driving your car and filling your tank, or are unlucky enough to live in Oregon, you have to make sure that everybody fills the tank the same way or there goes your mileage!!! (It's still illegal to fill your own tank in Oregon, gas jockeys only, probably have to have a special gas pumping liscence as well...)

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »I'm assuming that when it clicks off, that's the 11.9 gal tank..... then you put in another $5.If you've got more than 1 person driving your car and filling your tank, or are unlucky enough to live in Oregon, you have to make sure that everybody fills the tank the same way or there goes your mileage!!! (It's still illegal to fill your own tank in Oregon, gas jockeys only, probably have to have a special gas pumping liscence as well...)I think that the "click off" varies quite a bit even with the same pump. That's one reason you cannot get an accurate mpg from just looking at one one tank. I've had it click off after a 10.4 gal fill and I know the tank had over a couple gals in there to start so I don't think 11.9 is the click off limit. It might be nice to have a larger tank so you could go longer without a pit stop but then on average you would be hauling more dead weight that would reduce mpg. I rarely my tank go much below 1/2 full. Never have run out of gas and don't want to start now. Is the Oregon requirement to have an attendant fill your tank based on some safety concern, or does is it to provide jobs.?

[Mr Magoo]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver » (It's still illegal to fill your own tank in Oregon, gas jockeys only, probably have to have a special gas pumping liscence as well...)NJ has the same law. Wonder how many states have that law?

[jake75]

I know several states that do not have that law.OhioIndianaKentuckyVirginiaNorth CarolinaWest Virginia

[jake75]

The Answer:New Jersey and Oregon are the only U.S. states that currently ban self-service gas stations.The purpose of these laws was to protect consumers and gas station owners from costly, and possibly deadly, accidents. Better education and improved technology, however, have made pumping gas much safer and easier for consumers over the last 50 years. Since the 1970s, self-service gas stations have grown in popularity.The New Jersey law was enacted in 1949 and the Oregon law in 1951. Each statute has stood up to several challenges in those two states.Disabled motorists are most interested in seeing such laws survive. For those motorists with a disability, pumping gas is not an option and they depend on the employees of full-service stations.Despite requirements outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, many self-service stations do not provide a full-service option for disabled drivers, nor provide those services at self-service rates.

[jake75]

There is one small chain in Columbus, OH that trys to differentiate itself by pumping the gas for you - Swifty. That is a "generic" brand.

[star_deceiver]

I asked an owner/manager of a Portland chevron about no-self-serve. He said the law was in place since the '50s and was designed to create jobs and "save people from spilling gas everywhere." (his exact words!)That was in 2007 and I'm sure that nothing has changed. In the beginning of 2008, here in BC, we started pre-pay for gas after some idiot gassed and dashed in Vancouver and ran over the attendent, killing him. I know that pre-pay has been in effect in the States for a long time now. Sure has cut down the number of gas thefts. As for being disabled, I'm sure that if you rolled up to the window in your wheelchair, an employee would be more than happy to help. I can recall seeing posted on pumps in Tacoma "Full-serve availible upon request". As for MPG on the Vibe, I try to fill it to the Very top of the filler neck... which can take a few minutes of extra pumping, and usually about $5-$6. Take a look under the car and you'll see that the filler tube goes into the BOTTOM of the tank (????WHY????) which probably explains why it takes so long to top off the tank.

[L5K]

I've never seen a full service station at all. It's only self serve everywhere in the US I've ever been. Mostly in the midwest though.

[trask]

Oregon`s gas dispensing laws are outdated. Yes it employees a few people, but a lot of stations only have one attendant dispensing gas, and if several vehicles role in at the same time you could be waiting a while. Oregon just past a no top off law, you cannot ask the attendant to top off your vehicle anymore. I think that is going to be hard to enforce.http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/...r.htm

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by trask » Oregon`s gas dispensing laws are outdated. Yes it employs a few people, but a lot of stations only have one attendant dispensing gas, and if several vehicles roll in at the same time you could be waiting a while. Oregon just passed a no top off law, you cannot ask the attendant to top off your vehicle anymore. I think that is going to be hard to enforce.http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/...r.htmWell you can ask the attendant to top it off but I think most would refuse. Why should they stick their neck out. Compliance with such a law would surely be hard to enforce in the 48 self serve states as there is a certain segment of our population that thinks laws of this sort don't apply to them. The pumps might be able to be programmed to prevent any further dispensing of fuel after it clicks off. To pump more one would have to start a separate transaction. Few would do that to get an extra quart of fuel in their tank.

[L5K]

This wouldn't work though because for some vehicles if you don't get the nozzle in there exactly right it will automatically click off a few seconds after you start pumping. Happened all the time in my 2000 Neon.

[star_deceiver]

Same here with the Sunfire, and try filling a motorcycle tank like that!!!

[Mr Magoo]

We have Swifty here also. Lousy quality IMHO. I've gotten bad gas there when I've tried. Very tempting to go there though when it's 10° F outside and blowing snow.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Mr Magoo »We have Swifty here also. Lousy quality IMHO. I've gotten bad gas there when I've tried. Very tempting to go there though when it's 10° F outside and blowing snow. I try to buy only top tier gasolines - never spent a dime at Swifty. Just mentioned that they do still pump da gas.