Can I get home or not?

[nickjm]

Hello everyone.

My Honda Civic Diesel has a fuel tank capacity of 50 litres, 11 gallons or thereabout I believe, according to specs.

On average I do about 50MPG.

50 x 11 = 550 miles.

However, my fuel warning light comes on after only about 350 miles, does this really mean that I have screwed my calculations up, or do I really have 200 miles left in my tank?

Anyone else come across this?

[nickjm]

Gazboy said:

Is it worth taking the chance?

hmmm, I don't think my wife would be happy being stranded in the car with no fuel, she'd probably 'bobbit' me

Another thing is, that when the light comes on and I fill up, it lets me put about 30ish litres of diesel in before getting full. Which lends itself more to the '200 miles left in the tank' arguement.

>> Edited by nickjm on Friday 1st April 16:55

[foggy]

For comparison, when the light comes on in my CTR you get 42 litres of jungle juice in virtually every time, so I've got another 8 or so litres or 50ish miles of normal driving (or about 20 miles of VTECing) still available if required.

[tuttle]

I've gotta side with Foggy & co here,round about 8ltrs 30-50 miles is kinda the norm.Unless your civic is wierd.50mpg sounds a bit high.
Think your self lucky chap,If the warning light comes on in the 'liner I've got about 5mins left-literally.

[mxdi]

Can you not fill a secure fuel container with emergency supply of diesel and go on a little trip?

[nickjm]

tuttle said:

50mpg sounds a bit high.

Well the 'official' stats give it a figure of 56.5 mpg on average (we all know what official stats are like, probably done downhill wind-assisted), but it is a diesel and I'm quite 'fuel conscious' I reckon 50mpg is about right.

But maybe it's a standard 8 litres left like you say. I'll stick with filling it up when the light comes on, or making sure I'm within 50 miles of a petrol station when the light comes on.

Thanks for your replies!

Nick