a

[Brettly-2008]

So wouldn't running the tank out of fuel mean the pump runs dry? If the pump runs dry, wouldn't that cause premature failure?

Dry and low levels are two different things, but yeah I reckon regularly running a tank dry isn't great for a fuel pump. Having said that, I think the durability of components like fuel pumps are better than most people give credit. I'm sure manufacturers test these things beyond the limit of any customer before they put them into mass production.

 

[07GTS]

running low is fine as the fuel goes thru the pump also cooling it, then if u run dry the engine also splutters n cuts out so pumps stop, then if u do run them dry on purpose we tested one and u may get 1-2 mins before they melt solid inside (pump dependent of course)

 

[vc commodore]

I would see it running them really low, would cause the pump to sucking air periodically, especially during cornering....

So judging by what has been said, yes running them low could cause them to fail prematurely

 

[Immortality]

Isn't the pump in it's own fuel bucket inside the tank, where the return feeds into the bucket so in theory it should always be covered with a little fuel?

Also, isn't it normal for there to be some fuel in the tank that isn't usable, the bit the pump can't suck up unless maybe the car is sitting at the perfect angle? Fairly sure on our older VX you have the fuel light come on and it beeps, then when it gets real low it beeps again and the light starts to flash for a bit.

 

[greenacc]

I think the low fuel warning is supposed to give you a heads up at 100km to go.

 

[Subju]

a

 

[J_D 2.0]

Dude, this is only in case a zombie invasion occurs, its not for a real situation. I've done the science and seen that Zombies are evolving in movies, I want to be ready!

I’m all good for the upcoming zombie invasion. 120 litre LPG tank plus 73 litre petrol tank FTW!

 

[J_D 2.0]

running low is fine as the fuel goes thru the pump also cooling it, then if u run dry the engine also splutters n cuts out so pumps stop, then if u do run them dry on purpose we tested one and u may get 1-2 mins before they melt solid inside (pump dependent of course)

I never let my cars get below a quarter tank. Makes sure the pump isn’t overly stressed and isn’t sucking dregs out of the tank. That’s my personal choice though, lord knows the missus doesn’t agree as she never lets her car get above a quarter tank!

 

[krusing]

I have read many times that the V6's and V8's VE's Sedans and Wagons have 73 Litre tanks,
But what I can not fathom out, why would you not put longer range tanks in the V8's ?

I have put 75L in mine once, and that was trickling it in,
otherwise I have put 69 > 70 litres it a few times.
However the average Litrage I have put in is 65L > 68L, and going by the "fuel used", it pretty accurate,
being that is on some work country runs and filling up between towns, as some of the regional towns have cheaper petrol than Melbourne
[eg, Melbourne Petrol is approx 146.9 cpl for 91, Ballarat was 109.9 cpl for 91, and Bendigo was 112.9 cpl [last thursday].

Mine activates Low Fuel at
80k for E10,
70k for 91
60k for E85
It does sounds strainge, but I made notes on my Daily Running Sheet I fill out everday [for the Tax man]
I know you only need to do it for 12 weeks, but I opted to do it for every trip, every day, as it a great record, and for making/keeping notes.

Back to the original post -
I am running 98 at the moment [for the second time in owning the car] so it will be interesting to see at what k's the low fuel will be activated.
The Distance to Empty was 620 km/s.

Also the range is different with the different grades of fuels, with filling up on the way out at the Westgate Bridge Petrol Station -
[based on trips from Melbourne to Mildura on the Calder Highway at 565k/m, same route and using Krusing Control ] -
E10 - 1/8 of a tank left
91 - just under a 1/4 of a tank left
E85 - had to stop at Ouyen [100k's south of mildura] and get fuel.

The Distance to Empty is always interesting after filling up [these are an average] -
E10 - 480, were I can queeze 540 out of it
91 - 550, were I can squeeze 600 out of it
E85 - 460, were I can squeeze 520 out of it
Taking into account slowing down through the regional/country towns mess's with the fuel economy.

 

[J_D 2.0]

I have read many times that the V6's and V8's VE's Sedans and Wagons have 71 Litre tanks,
But what I can not fathom out, why would you not put longer range tanks in the V8's ?

I have put 75L in mine once, and that was trickling it in,
otherwise I have put 69 > 70 litres it a few times.
However the average Litrage I have put in is 65L > 68L, and going by the "fuel used", it pretty accurate,
being that is on some work country runs and filling up between towns, as some of the regional towns have cheaper petrol than Melbourne
[eg, Melbourne Petrol is approx 146.9 cpl for 91, Ballarat was 109.9 cpl for 91, and Bendigo was 112.9 cpl [last thursday].

Mine activates Low Fuel at
80k for E10,
70k for 91
60k for E85
It does sounds strainge, but I made notes on my Daily Running Sheet I fill out everday [for the Tax man]
I know you only need to do it for 12 weeks, but I opted to do it for every trip, every day, as it a great record, and for making/keeping notes.

Back to the original post -
I am running 98 at the moment [for the second time in owning the car] so it will be interesting to see at what k's the low fuel will be activated.

Also the range is different with the different grades of fuels, with filling up on the way out at the Westgate Bridge Petrol Stations -
[based on a trips from Melbourne to Mildura on the Calder Highway at 565k/m, same route and using Krusing Control ] -
E10 - 1/8 of a tank left
91 - just under a 1/4 of a tank left
E85 - had to stop at Ouyen [100k's south of mildura] and get fuel.

The Distance to Empty is always interesting after filling up [these are an average] -
E10 - 480, were I can queeze 540 out of it
91 - 550, were I can squeeze 600 out of it
E85 - 460, were I can squeeze 520 out of it
Taking into account slowing down through the regional/country towns mess's with the fuel economy.

I’m guessing that the tank is as big as it can be for the packaging of the car so a bigger tank can’t be used. I know in the old days they could just sling a bigger tank under the boot so my VN Commodore had an 85 litre tank. New crash regulations obviously put paid to that so now you only get the under seat area to try and package the tank in.