Saturn S Series Sedan SL, SL1, and SL2

Useable fuel capacity

Old Jul 14, 2008 | 08:07 PM
  #1  
keith's Avatar
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How much is the most gas you''ve put in at a fill up? Normally I fill up shortly
after the light comes on and it take around 9.2 to 9.3 gallons. The other day
I sorta had to push it a little and drove till the needle was about halfway
between the left side of the last line on the gauge and the "E".

When I fill, I stop at the first click and the needle is half way between the
right line and the "F" so I figured I probably shouldn''t try for the next gas
station 19 miles away. Anyway, it only took 10.3 gallons to fill it. I know the
capacity listed in the owners manual is 12.2, but some of that is not
useable. At 36 mpg, could I have made the next station?
 
Old Jul 18, 2008 | 06:34 AM
  #2  
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I am yet to drive a car whose gauge did not indicate that less gas was in the tank then was really the case.

As far as S Cars go, I have 2 and have driven both with the needle completely past the E (Empty). When I fill up I have never gotten more than a little over 11 gallons into the tank.

Don''t recommend doing this as a regular practice, but in a pinch, there''s not much to worry about if your gauge seems to be functioning properly.
 
Old Jul 18, 2008 | 07:23 PM
  #3  
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Thanks, anyone else?
 
Old Jul 25, 2008 | 01:48 AM
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Just to add my 2 cents... I filled up my gas tank todaywith 12.3 gallons.... I drove it about 20 miles (maybe a bit more) after the fuel light came on.
 
Old Jul 28, 2008 | 07:24 PM
  #5  
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cassie, Thanks for your 2c worth. Update, I went about 46 miles past the
fuel light on point this weekend and put in 10.7 gallons. I would be
concerned about the accuracy of the pump you used though because my
owners manual says the gas tank is only 12.2 gallons max.
 
Old Jul 29, 2008 | 08:31 PM
  #6  
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yes but there is usually a reserve ammount in every gas tank so you can get to a station. My guess is you may even be able to get to 14 gallons. But what is the point. Just gas up.
 
Old Jul 30, 2008 | 08:15 PM
  #7  
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The point is to know the edge of the envelope in case it ever becomes
necessary to make a critical decision. In most places, the decision isn''t
that critical, but I remember when my dad and I were on a camping trip.
We had stopped for gas and headed down a new highway when about 50
miles later, there was a sign, 150 miles to next gas. The car had a 21
gallon fuel tank and with the trailer, it got 9 mpg. We had a 5 gallon
spare gas can but had not filled it. Do we go back and fill up again, this
time including the spare gas can or take a chance and go on.

We went on, my dad counted on making the last peak and coasting the
last 12 miles or so. We ran out about a quarter mile from the last peak.
We used some Coleman lantern fuel to get over the peak and made it to a
gas station by coasting.

Its just nice to know what the limit is even though I don''t plan to go
anywhere near the limit. But I don''t want to be caught by surprise either.
 
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 10:22 AM
  #8  
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In a 1993 SL2 I''ve put in 12.7 gallons. I wouldnt of made it to the next gas station.

1991-1995''s hold 12.8 gallons
1996-2002''s hold 12.2 gallons.
 
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