Overhead Computer (Miles to Empty Question)
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 64
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Overhead Computer (Miles to Empty Question)
Just wondering has anyone ever pushed there truck to the point where your miles to empty is 0. I have been down to about 8 miles to empty and refueled and only was able to put in 26 gallons. I am just curious what would happen if you hit 0. Will the truck run out of fuel or will there be some reserve in there like another 30miles or so? Is the overhead lie o meter very accurate on the miles to empty?
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Metro DC
If you didn't fill to the neck both times, you probably had lots of foam. All the way full is around 4gals more than at the first click off. I've run down pretty low (8 miles on the meter) and put just over the rated amount in (38.4 into a 38G tank). I would guess you have a couple gals in reserve after the meter reads 0, but that's not many miles with these things.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad, California
I've run mine down to 1 before and went further than 1 mile. It just kept reading one for a couple miles. I was sweatting it all the way to the station.
I had pulled through a really heavy headwind and then missed my turnoff for the desired station and had to run quite a ways further than I'd expected to find another station. Don't normally like to run it that low. It took 32 gallons at the pump to fill my 29 gal tank to the filler neck
I've put in 30+ a number of times though . . .
I had pulled through a really heavy headwind and then missed my turnoff for the desired station and had to run quite a ways further than I'd expected to find another station. Don't normally like to run it that low. It took 32 gallons at the pump to fill my 29 gal tank to the filler neck
I've put in 30+ a number of times though . . .
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Metro DC
Right on DH. I think if you have the 38 gal tank, and you run it darn near dry by the overhead, you'll put in 34-35 gallons to the first click. Probably 38 to the neck. If you continue to run after the MTE says 1, you'll put in more to get her filled back up to the neck. And I would guess it's not more than a couple gallons.
One of these days, I'm going to put a 5G can of fuel in the back and find out exactly. Maybe 2 cans.
I understand these motors self-bleed. Can you damage anything or reset anything that's adapative by running dry?
One of these days, I'm going to put a 5G can of fuel in the back and find out exactly. Maybe 2 cans.
I understand these motors self-bleed. Can you damage anything or reset anything that's adapative by running dry?
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Metro DC
Ouch! Not going to try this then. Or, is there by any chance a failsafe mechanism built into these motors whereby injection and operation shuts down with low/no fuel? I'm not going to try this unless we know for sure 
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Marysville, Wa
No, ask me how i know... i have run the truck out of fuel on the freeway. Also, when you install injectors on these trucks, one of the steps to bleed air to prevent damage is to run the trucks starter severals times with the injectors disconnected to prevent them from firing.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Edmond, OK
When I "harpooned" my tank and then drove 10 miles to the station I put 33.13 gallons in the tank. The overhead went to "zero miles to empty" about 1-1/2 miles from the station. I am guessing that there was about 1-1/2 gallons of fuel in the tank when I dropped it; so there would have been less than a gallon when I made it to the station. I do carry 6 gallons of diesel in the back; just in case.
Prior to the tank mod I could get about 5-1/2 gallons of additional fuel in the tank after the pump initially clicked off; but this would take an additional 5 to 8 minutes. Now I can squeeze an additional .5 - .8 gallons after that first click; but the additional small amount also will go in quicker.
What I do not understand is that prior to the tank mod my lie-o-meter was always about .6 MPG optimistic (I reset it every fill up; and keep track of it in Excel too); that thing has been amazingly accurate since then, or the last six tanks
.
Bob
Prior to the tank mod I could get about 5-1/2 gallons of additional fuel in the tank after the pump initially clicked off; but this would take an additional 5 to 8 minutes. Now I can squeeze an additional .5 - .8 gallons after that first click; but the additional small amount also will go in quicker.
What I do not understand is that prior to the tank mod my lie-o-meter was always about .6 MPG optimistic (I reset it every fill up; and keep track of it in Excel too); that thing has been amazingly accurate since then, or the last six tanks
.Bob
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Metro DC
Originally Posted by bnmccoy
What I do not understand is that prior to the tank mod my lie-o-meter was always about .6 MPG optimistic (I reset it every fill up; and keep track of it in Excel too); that thing has been amazingly accurate since then, or the last six tanks .
Bob
.Bob
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Eastern Oregon
Just today I rolled in to get fuel. My lie-o-meter was at 25 to zero and my low fuel buzzer came on at the same time. It took 29.5 gallons to the neck. Since I've put in 31 gallons before, I'm estimating there was 1.5 gallons left. And since I'm getting about 16 mpg right now, that's pretty darn accurate computer estimating.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 688
Likes: 3
From: Fairbanks, AK
I believe miles to empty is computed from the fuel consumption rate from the previous tank.
For example, if you were towing and getting 10 MPG then refilled your 38 gallon tank, the gauge should read 380 miles to empty. If you were unloaded and getting 15 MPG and refilled the same 38 gallon tank, it would read 570 miles to empty.
I don't believe the Distance To Empty is smart enough to recalculate based upon changing fuel consumption, at least not in my 2004 F-350's.
For example, if you were towing and getting 10 MPG then refilled your 38 gallon tank, the gauge should read 380 miles to empty. If you were unloaded and getting 15 MPG and refilled the same 38 gallon tank, it would read 570 miles to empty.
I don't believe the Distance To Empty is smart enough to recalculate based upon changing fuel consumption, at least not in my 2004 F-350's.