Gas Gauge miles to empty - out of gas

[sigmajam]

For the first time in my life, I ran out of gas - on the PA Tpk. at night in a rainstorm GRRRRR! Have any of you had issues with the gas gauge? The readout told me I had 50 miles of range, then 10 miles later the Fuel level low light came on and needle was about 1/8 of tank. In another 15-20 miles, the needle just got to the empty mark and that was the end - dead on the side of the road. In any other car I've driven, there would be 2-3 gallons of reserve fuel when the needle just hits empty. How much margin do you have?
06 STS V6

[dkozloski]

Let's see if I have this right. The readout, which is an estimate, said you had fifty miles left. You drove thirty miles more as you drove past gas stations and then ran out. Are you trying to wean it?

[Superjim]

What Koz said.

That don't make any sense... fuel THAT low... drive by gas stations.. then run out of fuel.

Sorry, I have no pity for you this time. You brought that on yourself.

Another thing to consider, you may be overheating the fuel pump just a little every time you run it extremely low on fuel. It is in the fuel tank and is cooled by the fuel. At least that is what I have been told.

At 1/4 tank... I start looking for a station.

Jim from Texas

[ewill3rd]

I'd say pretty much the same thing as the other guys said... maybe nicer though

My dad was like that for years... heck I think he still is! "Let's see how far I can drive this baby until it runs out of gas!"
The only award you get for driving the car as far as you can on a tank of gas is a call to your local AAA office.
I wouldn't get on a public highway with a low fuel level. Suppose you run out with a Mack truck barreling down on your rear bumper in a hurry?
The STS actually has 2 fuel reservoirs in the tank and a transfer system. There can be a myriad of issues with that fuel system that could cause you to run out of fuel even though you think you shouldn't.
As mentioned, my advice would be when it gets to 1/4 tank start looking for a gas station.
Especially if you are going to be getting on a public highway and traveling for 20+ miles.

[hazcaddy]

This weekend my gauge said just below 1/8 and my DIC range was 57 kms, so I filled up. The tank is allegedly 60 liters, and I put in 58.8 liters.

Somehow I don't think I would have made 57 kms on 1.2 liters (1/3rd of a gallon).

[MARKVIII]

i had an '01 ETC and i let it run down very low. to make matters worse it was very early in the morning and there were no stations opened. when i finally got to a station i filled it up and it would not start. to make a long story short i was told that i had run the tank down so low so many times that the fuel pump stopped working. $800 later i was back on the road.

[dkozloski]

Since everybody realizes that running out of gas is a female thing, when it happens to them it must be a design or manufacturing fault in the car. It couldn't possibly be their own stupidity.

[Cajonkev]

Although I certainly agree with the "fill it when it goes low" comments I will add this.

The STS has the lowest usable capacity of most any vehicle I have had. A combination of the saddle tanks with only a single-side x-fer pump I imagine. For what is a total capacity of 17.5 US gallons; running it over 16 used is VERY risky...

For the 05 models there was a TSB for a fuel starvation issue as well.

[sigmajam]

Well thanks for the support on that one. Next time I'll fill up as soon as it drops below 3/4, just like my Grandma. You're just a bunch of nervous nellies!

Based on the past 6 cars I have owned I think the Cadillac is poorly designed. Digital readouts as well as gas gauges should estimate conservatively, not run out just as the needle hits empty.

It's just another example of Cadillac's lack of attention to detail.

[thefred]

Originally Posted by sigmajam

Well thanks for the support on that one. Next time I'll fill up as soon as it drops below 3/4, just like my Grandma. You're just a bunch of nervous nellies!

Based on the past 6 cars I have owned I think the Cadillac is poorly designed. Digital readouts as well as gas gauges should estimate conservatively, not run out just as the needle hits empty.

It's just another example of Cadillac's lack of attention to detail.

Don't feel so bad. It goes across the whole Cadillac line. I ran out of gas on my first tank in my CTS. I had no idea that I could only go 8 miles when the light came on. I was used to my Acura where I had 60 miles left when the light came on.