Miata Mailing List: July 1996, Message #79
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   From: mja@trudge.engr.sgi.com (Mike Abbott)
Subject: 1/2 gal left
   Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 21:32:45 -0400

Driving home from a party the other morning I calculated that we would make
it home with plus or minus half a gallon of gas remaining in my '90 Miata.
We had been in this situation before, and that time I decided to stop and
fill up (it was late, we were hungry, etc.).  Turns out we could have made
it home that time without stopping.  So this time I pushed it.  With 30
miles to go, I was a little nervous, as the gas gauge had been pinned below
E for a while.  With 10 miles to go, I started noting where each emergency
call box was.  Within sight of our exit, on level freeway, the engine
stumbled; it kept running but could no longer maintain 65 mph.  I exited
safely and made it to the gas station under power.  Filled 'er up, 11.4
gallons.

'90 Miatas hold 11.9 gallons.

How come I "ran out of gas" with 1/2 gallon left?  I suppose the gas pump
could be off, but I think the major-brand stations would keep their pumps
calibrated to better than 4% tolerance.  Could I have that much water and
gunk in the bottom of my tank?  Actually, I guess it would be floating on
top.  Is there anything I can or should do about this?

Got lousy mileage on that tank too.  :(
--
Michael J. Abbott			mja@sgi.com
Silicon Graphics Computer Systems	Mountain View, California
  Leave only footprints.  Take only pictures.  Kill only time.