A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

When your low-fuel light comes, how many more miles before your run out of gas?

Posted: Oct 16, 2014

I have a 2003 Chevy Cavalier. It doesn't have an actual "low-fuel light." It has a light that says "check gauges" when the gas gauge hits E. Normally, I would have filled up before now, but I'm broke and payday is tomorrow. So I really I just have to make it until tomorrow morning. I work in the office and have to drive about 40 miles to get back home. The light came on this morning on my way to work and I had 15 miles left of my commute. So to put my mind at ease, I was hoping someone could say "yeah you'll make it home." That's all I really need to do, drive 40 miles to home and then I can fill up first thing tomorrow. It sucks living from paycheck to paycheck!

;

I should add, I've googled and can't find a consistent answer. - TKN

[ In Reply To ..]
Some say 1 or 2 gallons or 30 more miles. Others say some makes and models low-fuel light comes on when you have 5 gallons left.

It's iffy. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Gosh, I hate to think of you trying to get home basically on fumes, TKN. Could you borrow a few bucks from a co-worker to buy gas and pay them back tomorrow? If it's already on E, I just don't think you can make it 40 miles. I might be wrong, though. Please be careful.

Check Owner's Manual - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
Your owner's manual (if you still have it) should say how many gallons. From there, you have to know how many miles per gallon your car gets.

However, I wouldn't mess with it. If you're living so much on the edge that you might have to drive on fumes, you need to either re-think your lifestyle and/or spending habits, if that's the problem,or get another job. If you're doing MT, leaving MT is good advice anyway.

My lifestyle is I'm a single mom who receives no child support. - TKN

[ In Reply To ..]
If I could change it, I most certainly would in the blink of an eye. I live paycheck to paycheck because I have to pay my bills and feed my kid. I would leave MT for a new career, but I don't have that luxury right now. Can't go back to school because I'm too busy working 12+ hours a day to make ends meet. My bills consist of rent, utilities, groceries, gas, and car payment (yes, CAR PAYMENT on my 10 year old car).

But thanks for the advice. It's good advice, even I can't take it right now. :)

do u have a debit card? I can get more $ from mine even when there is no money... - have you ever tried that? At worst, they'll c

[ In Reply To ..]
My guess is you have about 40 miles when that light comes on. You've gone 15 already...Ima say NO! Don't do it. Stick your debit card in the thing and hope for the best...I've been in your shoes, I'm in them now really. No money, can't go anywhere. Best to you.

forgot that my credit card or debit used as - credit only takes $1

[ In Reply To ..]
and then usually 2 days later it comes through.

Suggestion - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't know your circumstances, but you might qualify for food stamps or other public assistance. If you have not considered that, please do. Don't be like me ... I went for several years not knowing that I was eligible.

That's when I charge my gas, and then I do - without something else down the - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
line in order to pay the gas card bill when it comes due. Robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Borrow $3 and put some gas in it. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I drive a car that gets 16-17 in town and 23 on highway. I would hope most of yours is highway since it is so far.

Chevy Cavalier --maybe 25-30 on highway? You are probably okay. What is the most gas you have put in it to fill it? (I know it has been a long time ago for me too) and what does the book say it holds. And have you filled it from when the light just came on? You can subtract around with that info. I have found my gas light comes on at about 2 gallons left in tank. Also, my light will come on depending on how I am parked (uphill/downhill), but if you were moving it is probably "real." If I were there I'd give it to you--LOL--Check for change under the seats and glove box and cup holders????bottom of purse??? Maybe you've already been there---been there and understand---good luck.

My truck generally has 3 gallons at that point --sm - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Before I knew that though, I would not want to risk it and would scrounge up some change or borrow from someone to add another gallon or 2. You are right, it does suck living paycheck to paycheck. Good luck.

Too many variables. - Weekender. sm

[ In Reply To ..]
How many potential red lights? Any hills to go up and/or down? Highway or city street? These all make a difference in gas mileage. I would prefer you borrow money, just to play it safe. Sorry I cannot be more optimistic, but I tested low-gas fate once, and lost. I always keep at least $10 in the car now.

what a disaster. No, I don't think you can make it. 55 miles on empty? No, you can't take - try to borrow a few bucks! U poor thing--wishing y

[ In Reply To ..]
:)

I found 4 bucks in my glove compartment which will get me home. - TKN

[ In Reply To ..]
My sister is going to meet me at the gas station at home and put at least 10 more in it until tomorrow.

God I'm pathetic...

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and advice.

yea! - wish i had a sistah! Good luck! :)

[ In Reply To ..]
:)

Being poor sure does suck! I've had to choose - sm - Lotus

[ In Reply To ..]
between putting a gallon of gas in the car to get home after buying groceries, or buying a half gallon of milk. Since the two items cost about the same, and since gas is cheaper per gallon than milk is, I usually opt to buy gas to ensure mobility, and just eat my cereal dry.

I know how that feels! sm - Deb

[ In Reply To ..]
and it WILL get better. I was just like that a couple years ago... in fact I totally remember googling "how far can a jeep go on E" It feels terrible. But you made it through that crappy little situation, it will be payday soon, you will get by, you are not pathetic. You are working your tail off. Take it easy on yourself.

I think it varies from car to car, even when it's - the same make and model. sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Even though you might have a little more than a gallon left in the tank, because it can vary depending upon where the fuel sensor is placed, you also have to assume you're truly close to empty.

Well I hope you made it home, but doubtful - sm - XXX

[ In Reply To ..]
But your car manual should give you the answer, if not call a Chevy dealer. But usually when the light comes in there is anywhere from 1-2 gallons depending on the vehicle. With my Chevy Trailblazer, I have 1 gallon of gas in there so 15-18 miles is all I have left before it will sputter and die. I have run it pretty dry a few times, actually died once while I was pulling up to the gas station and a bunch of guys jumped out of their car and pushed me up to the pump when I couldn't coast that far!-------I hope you borrowed $10 from someone and got gas to get home!

my tank gives me 23 miles - radmt

[ In Reply To ..]
it would be so nice to have money in the bank for gas. I know how ya feel. My car gives me 23 miles when low light comes on. yet to fail me.

low fuel light - oa

[ In Reply To ..]
Depends on the size of your gas tank. In newer cars however, try not to get that low - apparently the engine doesn't like it (I've been told). Keep $5.00 in the glove box. I always have an extra $10. stashed, 5 for gas and 5 for an emergency latte'!

Similar Messages:

Apr 04, 2012
"an idea whose time has not come." Meanwhile, Volt sales doubled between February and March form 1,023 to 2,289 (link 1). Of GM's surging sales in March, 40% were fuel-efficient cars with greater than 30 MPG, with overall sales up 13 percent from the same month a year ago. Edmunds.com said this represents the most vehicles sold since August 2007. General Motors, Chrysler and Toyota all reported double-digit gains over last March. Nissan and Hyundai set company records ...

Aug 15, 2014
Get out your checkbook. ...

Aug 13, 2010
Iran’s first nuclear power plant will start operating Aug. 21, with electricity generation to begin “several months later,” said Rosatom Corp., the Russian state nuclear holding company building the facility. “On the 21st, nuclear fuel will be delivered to the reactor storage facility and from that moment on the plant can be certified as a nuclear power installation,” Rosatom spokesman Sergei Novikov said by phone in Moscow. “This means the end of the test ph ...

Aug 06, 2013
I want to move 2000 miles and have 2 cats. Do not want to subject them to air travel. I know the vet can provide a sedative, but I don't know what to expect from it. Will they still be awake but groggy, will they (hopefully) sleep for 8 hours a day? If anyone has any experience with this, I would certainly appreciate input. Thanks in advance! ...

Dec 01, 2012
...

Dec 29, 2012
Don't forget to get your 75 watt incandescent light bulbs before January 1st, when they will be removed from the shelves. We lost 100 watt bulbs in 2012, and will lose 60 and 40 watt ones in 2014. The Fed claims the new corkscrew bulbs are "more energy efficient," but that's just another lie. There is little profit margin in the incandescent bulbs, and the corkscrews are made off-shore and cost us, the consumer" a fortune. ...

Dec 29, 2014
I have light sensitivity that is driving me nuts. I consider it to be severe because even inside my house if the curtains are open, even if the sun is not shining in (like on a rainy day) I am sitting here squinting. Sometimes my eyes are almost closed and I can just look out a little cos the light hurts my eyes and they ache. I've tried wearing sunglasses, but they don't help. My eyes still ache, only everything is a little darker, but I still squint. I ...

Nov 09, 2016
At least I can get high for the next 4 years. ...

Jan 18, 2012
I need to find a remedy and fast. I've got too much work to deal with this. I have such extreme light sensitivity. I'm typing with both eyes squinted almost shut. One iI hold closed the other one all I'm seeing is a little bit. The light is so bad. What I'm typing looks blurry so I type then shut my eyes a few seconds open and try and read a sentence at a time. This is no way going to work. I put a warm compress on my eyes every ...

May 19, 2010
I have been transcribing for 32 years now, am 54 years old. I started menopause 1-1/2 years ago (so I guess since they say you have to have missed a period for 1-full year that I am officially menopausal). My world seems topsy turvy. Is there light at the end of the tunnel. I have tried working a second job for the past year off and on, but it has been too difficult to concentrate. After 10 years of working from home, because of the slump in production decided ...

Mar 20, 2013
This guy is a real gem! He claims he can use the "power of humiliation" to stop efforts to offer drug abuse resources to LGBTs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1J_pvvYYeVw More blather regarding psychotropis and welfare moms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIops72Xua4 ...

Feb 26, 2017
getting ready to move and I need someone that can tell me what brand soft seems to be a good value. It seems so many people complain about sofas when you look at the reviews. This can be a large sofa or even a sectional but dont want junk. Also the Samsung 24 inch for my bedroom tv what is the difference between the LED and the Smart LED. I just need it for my bedroom not to jump cartwheels. Appreciate any input so I can get something decent with the way things ...

Feb 18, 2014
What a perverted subhuman! ...

Oct 04, 2012
I'm not sure if this is appropriate to post on here, but I'm participating in the Light the Night Walk this Saturday, October 6, in honor of my sister-in-law who just beat Hodgkin's lymphoma. I'm in desperate need of donations for my team. Being an at home MT, I don't have many people to ask for donations, so I'm asking if anybody reading this post would like to donate. Feel free to email me. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a li ...

Nov 25, 2012
I like the way the grayish sky contrasts with the white of the snow, and the pine trees. Just read a strange poem by Emily Dickinson about a pine tree, I'm sharing the whole thing here. Love the line, "a sea with a stem." I had to stop and look out the window at a pine, when I read this line. Yep, that's right - a sea with a stem. By my Window have I for SceneryJust a sea—with a Stem—If the Bird and the Farmer—deem it a “Pine”&mdas ...

Jul 09, 2013
None. That's the MT's job - included in the line count. ...

Apr 29, 2010
...

Jun 28, 2011
in annual Medicaid benefits payments from the Minnesota Dept of Human Services since 2005, in addition to the $24,000 "one-time only" cash infusion MB was willing to admit to when Chris Wallace asked her how she and her family had benefitted from govt programs. Annual Medicaid payments x5-6 are not one-timers, so those, along with that $24,000 in training funds, the 3 years of farm subsidies they has received directly since 2007, the one year she has yet to report (2008), and all the years ...

Jul 28, 2012
All he really needed was a pair of flip flops. ...

Oct 24, 2012
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST: Here's what upset me last night, this playing fast and loose with facts. And the President Obama cites the op-ed piece that Romney wrote about Detroit, “Let them go bankrupt, let them go bankrupt,” and last night he brings it up again. “Oh, no, Governor, you said let them go bankrupt, blah blah blah, let them go bankrupt.” And Mitt said, “No, no, check the thing, check the thing, check the thing.” Read more: http://new ...

Aug 11, 2016
Washington (CNN) — Newly released emails from Hillary Clinton's tenure as secretary of state raise questions about the nature of the department's relationship with the Clinton Foundation. Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group, released 296 pages of emails from the Democratic presidential nominee, including 44 that Judicial Watch says were not previously handed over to the State Department by Clinton. The emails, many of which are heavily redacted, raise questions about t ...

Oct 21, 2009
Made me laugh even with a pounding headache! ...

Nov 28, 2012
Never thought of this in the long term, but I can see the strategy. Anything to keep in power: "Forget that any tax increase is bad economic policy (especially in this economy), it's also a trap. The damage the passing of this tax increase would do to Republicans with their base is the primary motivation behind what Obama and the media are up to. Raising tax rates would almost certainly suppress Republican turnout in the 2014 midterms. As a result, Democrats would make gains and possibl ...