AgisA

I dared to run my S4 6mt to 0 miles to empty on the display, I pulled at a gas station and the tank only took 15.3 gal. If the tank is 16.9 gal that means I had 1.6 gal left!
Anyone agrees with this?

rktskicar

yes, typical.

Hobbes

Audi (and most manufacturers) build a safety margin into the fuel gauge. Reading "empty" almost always means you have at least a gallon left.

ph-avant

You still don't want to run it out of gas. When I took delivery of my car it said 0. The salesman and I went to put gas in and the car drove terribly plus a check engine light. Neither of us knew how long it had been at 0 before we saw it, but the line had to be purged of air before I left.

So there likely is a 'buffer', but don't push it too far.

drrick89

Yeah, as I was *driving* to gas station when the fuel pump icon came on (though I didn't check the digital miles remaining). But, I could only put 14.5 or so gallons into that 16.9 gallon fuel tank. So I had over 2 gallons left! Of course, I had just passed the 600 mile breakin period - so maybe the remaining fuel was sloshing around a bit and hit a sensor?! (grins)

Hobbes

Agreed. One reason they build in the buffer is because it is a very bad idea to run out of gas in a car with fuel injection. I treat 0 as true empty and get gas before hitting it, but it is nice to know the buffer is there if I'm on a trip and I don't come upon a suitable gas station by then.