New to Caravans. Picked one up last month and find it's perfect for me. VERY surprised at the power it has for a vehicle like this.
Anyway, I was wondering how far (miles) I could go AFTER the fuel warning light comes on just so I know.
thx
rahfolife209
07-19-2009, 08:04 AM
in my 2002 the longest i've gone was about 17miles and that was driving fast and taking off fast..
vabear
07-19-2009, 08:29 AM
Not far enough. In reality you have 2-3 gallons left at the warning (I have told my children that E does not stand for enough).
mistypotato
07-19-2009, 11:03 AM
I was curious as to absolutely how far...so I filled a 5 gallon fuel can to carry with me and drove 42 miles after the warning light came on but storms were approaching and I didnt want to have to fill the tank from the gas can during a downpour so I stopped and got gas.. Never ran out.
My onboard fuel economy computer routinely shows 14mpg in city driving. I had expected closer to 18 as advertised. It has new plugs and wires.
Anyway, I had not expected to go 42 miles (city driving) but I think it was good for at least another 8 so I'm going to try again and hope for better weather next time. I would always fill the tank when the warning comes on under normal circumstances....but it's good to really know the range AFTER the light comes on just in case.
I think Grand Caravans have extended range fuel tanks? Mine holds more than 20 gallons. When I look underneath, it's HUGE.
I suspect that I have a 3 gallon reserve (after warning light comes on).....and 14 x 3 = 42.......bingo.....I was probably about to run out.
mfahey
07-19-2009, 03:01 PM
Take it from me that using the fuel economy readout to calculate how much fuel you have left is a sure bet to run out. Also remember that the fuel in the tank cools the fuel pump so consistently running with a low fuel level may shorten the life of the pump.
locogk
07-19-2009, 03:08 PM
i sell auto parts and thats what will kill a fuel pump like above the gas keeps the pump cool and my wife does it all the time
mistypotato
07-24-2009, 11:39 AM
I haven't had that experience...at least with NON-DODGE cars.
I consistently keep my tanks low because I don't like hauling around an extra 100lbs every day. Only time I fill up is on long road trips.
How much fuel do you think is enough? 2, 3, 4 ,5 gallons ?
vabear
07-24-2009, 12:56 PM
From personal experience with Ford, BMW,and Chrysler products on the condensation issue, I keep mine at 1/2 tank if they are going to be sitting around, on the road I refill at 1/4 tank. Just my anal way of doing business.
mistypotato
07-24-2009, 02:55 PM
When you mention condensation....are you referring to fuel pump damage, fuel tank damage or both ?
dizzyD
07-24-2009, 03:39 PM
The fuel pumps need to be emerged in the fuel, it's used to keep it lubed. Now the 93 dak I could run about 30-35 miles before running out (done it 3 or 4 times). MY mom's 2000 GC seems to do about 40 Miles, but never ran it out. the overhead seemed to be really acurate unlike my durango or worse yet, ram's!
Now since I had run my Dakota's tank down to empty, allot, I did have to replace the fuel pump
vabear
07-24-2009, 06:15 PM
What I meant was that allowing the fuel level to drop too low(maybe a quarter of a tank) and remaining at that level over a period of time allows condensation to form in the tank (like opening a can of soda or beer and letting it set and you see the condensation form on the can) this then becmes water in the fule (or below the fuel as the two do not mix and the water will settle to bottom of the tank) then eventually you end up trying to burn water and that does not work. You can filll the tank and all is well until the fule level drops to a low point and we again are faced with trying to burn water. So, keep the tank realatively full especially if she is going to sit around.
Wrenchgear
07-24-2009, 10:41 PM
I've wondered myself if I'm going to run out anytime soon while the light is on. I've never run out yet, but I'll bet I've been pretty close a few times. I can make a round trip to work with the light on, and thats just over 40 miles. I don't make a habit of doing it, but I have done it.
As far as keeping a bunch of gas in the tank to cool/lube/discourage condensation.... I've never worried about it and constantly have less than half a tank of gas. My 2001 GC Sport 3.3 has 150 000 miles on it and still has the original fuel pump. (I probably just jinxed it, Doh!) It's probably not a bad idea to keep the pump submerged, but not doing it may not have effected mine.
(oh yah, ask any racer about the advantages of a water injected engine and you'll be surprised to here of the hp gains that a little bit of steam will get you in a cyl)(doesn't work so well in the winter when the gas line is froze)
Wrench
mistypotato
07-25-2009, 07:58 AM
Wrench,
Your account is more in line with my experience.....(so we've both jinxed our fuel pumps by the way) ;)
My GC feels a LOT less peppy when I fill the tank. To me the diff is huge and I can certainly feel it (I'm performance oriented). So, unless Im going out of town, I keep my tank low on fuel and have done this with all my cars for many years.....(never had a fuel pump fail).
I usually keep 3 - 4 gallongs in the tank. I pass the gas station everyday so it's never out of my way to get gas.
As long as you have even one gallon of fuel, there will be a cooling effect. What may actually damage the pump most is actually running it dry...not so much running low.
I have a feeling if just running it low was the major culprit (especially in this day and age where gas is often $3 per gallon (and I would venture a guess a LOT of people dont keep much gas in their tanks), then there would be an avalanche of burned out fuel pumps.
I haven't gathered that.
mistypotato
07-25-2009, 08:13 AM
What I meant was that allowing the fuel level to drop too low(maybe a quarter of a tank) and remaining at that level over a period of time allows condensation to form in the tank.
Yeah, I agree about the condensation. It really can collect. However, If the tank is properly vented, that problem is reduced but most fuel tanks MUST be able to take in air to replace the volume left empty as the fuel level drops, otherwise the resulting vacuum could become quite powerful.
If a vehicle is used often, the small amount of condensation that may form is passed with the fuel and often never noticed. Water is much heavier than fuel and will allows go to the lowest point in the tank, displacing gasoline.
That's why if you DO get water in the tank, you only need to drain a little (until all the water is out). You could for example have 15+ gallons of fuel and one ounce of water...the 1 ounce of water will drain out first.
Wrenchgear
07-25-2009, 12:02 PM
Misty...
$3 for gas almost seems like a bargain nowadays. Up here in Cold Country Canada, we are paying 0.93 cents per litre this morning. That works out to about $3.50 a US gallon. Still better than last summer though when we were at $1.39 per litre equalling $5.20 a US gallon.
Almost makes you wish that you had some water in the tank to use up some room in there :)
Wrench
mistypotato
07-25-2009, 12:56 PM
Ouch,
I forget you guys pay more. I can get gas here for $2.39 a gal right now.
I offset a LOT of my fuel expenses by riding motorcycles....again....not really a great option up there unfortunately. At 45-55 mpg city, the bikes make gas prices a non issue ....until I start driving the Caravan.
I have a 125cc bike that gets 55mpg EASILY around town and a larger sport bike that still gets 35-45 mpg around town as long as I'm easy on the throttle.
I think if I lived in Canada I would still use my 125cc bike year round with knobbie tires and cold weather riding gear.
Oh...and my forum name is in honor of my Cat that I love :rck:
Wrenchgear
07-25-2009, 02:41 PM
I've thought about getting a bike again to get some fuel milage, but....
1) the wife won't let me,
2) the cost of buying one, insurance, and upkeep would equal alot of gas in the van,
3) I don't even ride my ATV's in the winter cause I'm too much of a whimp,
4) she says that I've got quads, and a boat, so I don't get to have a bike,
5) the wife won't let me.
(I know, I know, be a man,.... but the wife won't let me)
Wrench
mistypotato
07-25-2009, 04:12 PM
I've thought about getting a bike again to get some fuel milage, but....
1) the wife won't let me,
(Yeah, I quit making THAT mistake)....no more wifey...GF's are disposable if they get like that.
2) the cost of buying one, insurance, and upkeep would equal alot of gas in the van,
Got the 125 I use most for $500 off ebay (delivered!!) Insurance not required here.
Upkeep? I think I've spend $20 on it in 4 years....maybe (other than gas and oil).
3) I don't even ride my ATV's in the winter cause I'm too much of a whimp,
Hmmm..can't help ya there :D
4) she says that I've got quads, and a boat, so I don't get to have a bike,
Well, if your wife is important...better listen to her I suppose
5) the wife won't let me.
(I know, I know, be a man,.... but the wife won't let me)
No wife, no "wife won't let me" I say.
Man, I hope she's a knockout that takes you to heaven and back on a daily basis :rck:
Wrench
ss
blamp28
07-27-2009, 08:55 PM
I have checked multiple times in the past 160000 miles and have approximately 5 gallons left when my warning light comes on. If I'm traveling on the highway, I usually get 23 - 24 mpg so I will generally wait till a known decent exit - clean restrooms and or preferred stations etc. as long as it is in the next 50 - 75 miles. Have never had a problem with the fuel pump or ran out of fuel.
mistypotato
07-27-2009, 09:06 PM
wow....and cool.
I figured 3 gallons but 5 would be super. I intend to try my experiment again (with gas can in car)...to see for my vehicle.
So far, farthest I have gone is 42 miles (in town driving) after the light came on.
blamp28
07-27-2009, 09:16 PM
I've never tested it that way. I simply pull into a station immediately after the light comes on and the van takes 14.5 - 5 gallons to fill up. It has a 20 gallon tank. This has been very consistent for the last seven years so I'm confident. I was just on a trip last weekend and traveled 80 miles to a preferred exit after the light came on. This 3.0 still gets 24mpg on the highway.
mistypotato
07-27-2009, 09:41 PM
Are U sure it's a 20 gallon tank? If you've never run it dry, then filled it....could it be 20.5, 19.5 etc?
I've had mine for a month now and figured it was around that, but couldn't find anything in the Haynes manual where it stated the capacity....so my method was an "absolute method" with at least one variable...the tanks capacity.
I guess all Caravans have the same tank capacity? (Grand Caravans too?)
