Miles To Empty really does mean empty

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Dec 21, 2017 | 08:16 AM

Monster-4

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Logistics Pro

Joined: Aug 2007

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From: Millersburg, OH

Miles To Empty really does mean empty

The other day took my wife to the nearest Target (about an hour away) to get a few things for the house before Christmas. I knew by the time I got home I would be pretty low on fuel and the Miles To Empty confirmed it.

I didn’t want to stop to fill up because I forgot the fuel additive I like to use. I get home and the MTE shows 9 miles left. I had to go to town to get a few other things which is about 6 miles away. I figured no problem as my 2000 MTE is always off by at least 2 gallons.

So I take off not worrying about it. When the MTE got to 5 miles left the truck started surging and I knew I was running low on fuel. I babied it around corners, over hills and rolled through the one stop I had to make.

I managed to get to town and fill up with 2 miles remaining but Ford wasn’t kidding about the Miles To Empty calculations in these trucks. Just hope I didn’t do to much damage to anything.

Dec 21, 2017 | 08:41 AM

TooManyToys.

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Joined: Dec 2014

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From: Jersey Shore

Living on the edge for an adrenaline rush.

Dec 21, 2017 | 08:45 AM

seijirou

Cargo Master

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 2,872

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From: Kaufman TX

There's somethin' wrong with my truck today
The remaining range is gettin grim
My injectors are gonna cry!!

Dec 21, 2017 | 08:51 AM

Benchwrench

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2007

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From: Circle City

I just love these stories.

Dec 21, 2017 | 04:25 PM

Monster-4

Thread Starter

Logistics Pro

Joined: Aug 2007

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From: Millersburg, OH

It was a good lesson to learn while near home. A call to a neighbor and I would have been able to be some fuel.

Now I know to get fuel when it says to.

Dec 21, 2017 | 05:29 PM

Per4mance

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 4,097

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From: Kissimmee,Fla

Cost too much to fill up,a half a tank is an empty tank. This way you don't run out either and won't damage the pump or the injectors. It is also easier on the filters as you tent to not pick up the crap that maybe in the bottom of the tank. I look at it as a win,win deal.

Dec 21, 2017 | 07:38 PM

xcrsp440

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 1,343

Likes: 94

I've learned that running the tank dry can cause some injector damage. Hope you don't develop some misfires in the near future.
When the FICM tells the injector to fire that high pressure oil is waiting to push the plunger to spray the fuel. If the injector is not full that pressure slams down on empty space and damage may occur.
Fingers crossed.