Miata Mailing List: December 1992, Message #17
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   From: (none)
Subject: Re: Fuel Gauge Accuracy
   Date: (none)


In message , ctsx!ctsx!alan@uunet.uu.net
writes: 
> email.ncsc.navy.mil!moore (Moore) writes:
> >I haven't seen anything about how far you can stretch the E reading
> >on the fuel gauge: anyone gone significantly beyond the empty mark?
> >Not that it would be too much effort to push the car, but the most
> >I've ever made is 280 miles. Post to me if you think it's of limited
> >interested please.

Hmm, it wouldn't be very hard to push, yes, but I'm paranoid about running the
fuel system of an electronically fuel injected engine dry.  Can't remember
where I heard that this can trash the injectors.  Anyone else heard this?

Also, is it safe to push start a Miata fitted with a viscous LSD rear end?

> My gas gauge always seems to be pessamistic. I usually have about 3 gallons
> left when it hits "E".

I can't remember the nominal fuel capacity -- 12 US gallons?  If that's
correct then my experience gibes with yours: I usually take around eight
gallons when the needle's just above "E."

> Well, I've gone as much as 360 miles, though I'll usually fill up
> about 280-300 miles or so.  The best mpg I've ever got is around 40
> on a long trip on flat ground and the worst was about 24 on another

On a long *very hilly* trip where I tried to keep it at 2900-3200 RPM and in
the top gear, I was getting close to 36 MPG.  It town, with lots of warm ups,
stops and some freeway driving, I'm getting 27-29 MPG.

> trip with some "hot-car" friends where I spent most of the trip at
> or near readline in 3rd or 4th (*) trying to keep up with a Ferrari Mondial,
> an Eclipse GSX, a Taurus SHO and others.

What kind of road was it?  Were you successful? =8^)

> As always YMMV :-).
            ^^^^
            Huh?

(ObGripe: Do you feel slightly, uh, *patronized* by the 'toy' gauges in modern
cars?  How many non-automotive thermometers have you seen that are simply
labeled "H" (with a cute red blob next to it) and "C" (with a cute blue blob
next to it), for instance?  I mean, why doesn't the speedo just have four
ticks on it labeled "Rock," "Snail," "Bunny Rabbit" and "Rocket Ship," with
little pictograms to match?  (Wait, I know.  Traffic cops wouldn't tolerate
getting on the stand for their prosecutor to nail someone for doing a Bunny in
a Snail zone.)  If you want to feel jealous, take a look at the dash of a
twenty year old American truck, or better yet a thirty year old British
roadster.  Wowwee!  Real numbered, labeled gauges, just like the ones the Big
Guys use!)
_________________________________________________________________

  James Miller -- developing Unix software at (!) IBM -- Austin
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  Internet:  jamesm@voyager.austin.ibm.com   (129.35.131.245)
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