Mileage and gas tank question

[96infiniti]

I get about 400 miles in my 96 I-30 after my low fuel orange light has been on and off for about 15 miles. I went and filled up and was only able to put 16.5 gallons into the tank. How much gas does my car actually hold? I want to see if I'm cheating myself and if I could drive farther before I need to gas up. Are there any I-30 drivers that could enlighten me on this?

[Ceasars Chariot]

What about gas ? tank capacity comes from the owners manual, the other stuff is my doing

1 US Gallon = 8.35 lbs
Max gas tank holds: 18.5 Gallons

18.5 x 8.35 = 154.5 lbs

1/4 Tank: 38.625 lbs
1/2 Tank: 77.25 lbs
3/4 Tank: 115.87 lbs
Full Tank: 154.5 lbs

[96infiniti]

Originally Posted by Ceasars Chariot

What about gas ? tank capacity comes from the owners manual, the other stuff is my doing

1 US Gallon = 8.35 lbs
Max gas tank holds: 18.5 Gallons

18.5 x 8.35 = 154.5 lbs

1/4 Tank: 38.625 lbs
1/2 Tank: 77.25 lbs
3/4 Tank: 115.87 lbs
Full Tank: 154.5 lbs

Well the owners manual says 19 gallon capacity but I have never been able to put more than 16.8 gallons in my car. Why would the low fuel light come on if I I have 2.5 gallons worth of gas left? Do you know how much gas is in the tank when the low fuel light comes on?

[BP2K2Max]

Originally Posted by Ceasars Chariot

What about gas ? tank capacity comes from the owners manual, the other stuff is my doing

1 US Gallon = 8.35 lbs
Max gas tank holds: 18.5 Gallons

18.5 x 8.35 = 154.5 lbs

1/4 Tank: 38.625 lbs
1/2 Tank: 77.25 lbs
3/4 Tank: 115.87 lbs
Full Tank: 154.5 lbs

the weight actually depends on the liquid. water weighs about 8 lbs per gallon, gasoline is about 6.8, diesel fuel is 9.xx lbs per gallon, chlorine is about 7lbs per gallon.


my fuel light comes on when i have about 45 miles left to a tank of gas. that could be about 2.5 gallons, so maybe it's just doing it to let you know you need to fill up soon. or maybe there's a 2 gallon reserve gas tank for in case you run out.

[96infiniti]

Originally Posted by BP2K2Max

the weight actually depends on the liquid. water weighs about 8 lbs per gallon, gasoline is about 6.8, diesel fuel is 9.xx lbs per gallon, chlorine is about 7lbs per gallon.


my fuel light comes on when i have about 45 miles left to a tank of gas. that could be about 2.5 gallons, so maybe it's just doing it to let you know you need to fill up soon. or maybe there's a 2 gallon reserve gas tank for in case you run out.

I tested out the low fuel light against the supposed reserve still in the tank. My low fuel light came on at 406 miles and I drove it until 444 miles before I got scared and gased up. I was only able to put in 17.4 gallons in. Next time I'll try for 450 miles. I'm interested in hearing how much anybody else is maxing out at before they gas up.

[BP2K2Max]

i'm due to fuel up in a day or so, so i'll check mine out too. i don't think it's gonna be much more than 400 miles. i tend to get in a bit of spirited driving at least once a day though, which kinda hinders my gas mileage.