You're right, it does take a lot of patience, but knowing the results makes it a lot easier. It's like a video game to me, just stay at it and it's very rewarding. And yes, I top off til I see the gas, it's the only way to get accurate tank-by-tank numbers. If you're getting 35-36 mpg's with somewhat normal driving, be happy, you're still above the EPA estimate and I believe ahead of the average HS250h driver, too. I still can't believe the tank is that large, I was very (pleasantly) surprised.

 

Another question: When the warning light comes on how many miles does it say before you are empty? And how many miles beyond that have you been able to go?

Thanks in advance

 

On my second last tank the Low Fuel warning light came on at 835 miles and the display read 25 miles to empty. I went another 203 miles until I had to refuel. I estimated that I had approx 2.9 gal left once the light came on.

On my last tank the Low Fuel warning light came on at 879 miles and the display read 28 miles to empty. I went another 186 miles until I had to refuel. I again estimate that I had approx 2.9 gal left once the light came on.

Hope this helps.

 

I'd be careful with this data, as hyperme overfills his tank by 2 gallons or so. So while the computer sees he's gone through, say, 13 gallons when that light comes on, and assumes he has only 1.5 left, he actually has 3.5 left. But someone who does not overfill might have substantially less left when that light comes on. Drive on a hill or take a hard turn with insufficient fuel left in your tank, and you could damage your fuel injectors and pump by starving them of fuel. So the risk is greater than just being stuck on the side of the road.

As a general rule, those lights come on with maybe 50 miles of usable fuel left in the tank. That of course depends on your mpg, but this is based on epa ratings. IMO, it's just not worth the cost to take the tank below "empty", unless you really are on some isolated road with no gas stations around.

 

Is the fuel pump in the tank? what keeps it cool ? Gas If you run it dry you must be running the pump hot put gas in when the light comes on and be happy with what ever you got out of that tank or save a lot of $$$ to pay for the new fuel pump

 

How depressing, I got on here all excited that I drove back from our lake house and was able to do 48.3, now I see that it was a week effort.

 

Dude, 48 mpg is awesome! It depends a whole bunch on how fast you drive - doing 10 mph under the speed limit does wonders for mpg. It all depends on what your time is worth.

 

You should be thrilled with 48, I haven't seen too many people get that. Congrats and keep it up. Was that freeway driving or what?

 

I will second that 48 mpg is very good! There have been very few comments about getting this kind of mileage.

Always remember that environmental constraints (route, temp, traffic, etc) are directly related to the mileage able to be achieved.