Ran out of Gas (5-gallon tank?)
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 2,261
From: Ft. Wayne IN
Ran out of Gas (5-gallon tank?)
I took a 165 mile cruise on my new 2022 Heritage yesterday and pushed the reserve fuel warning a bit too far. When I exited the Interstate the reserve/range (miles remaining) on the speedo LCD said 10 miles to go (3-4 miles from my local Shell gas station). As I left the ramp and got to the first traffic light (1/4 mile) the LCD display changed from a number to a "LOW" message. As I pulled into the gas station, the bike RAN OUT OF GAS, and I coasted right up to the pump. I probably should have bought a lottery ticket with that kind of luck!
I filled it the bottom of the filler neck; gas was at the small holes surrounding the main nozzle opening and the pump registered 4.64 gallons. A few thoughts came up. Is the tank really a 5 gallon capacity or does the fuel pump (etc) displace that much? Could I still have had a bit of air in the tank due to the slightly downhill nature of the gas station driveway? Does the fuel pump inlet position allow as much as 1/3 of a gallon of gas to remain in the tank? Could the accuracy of the pump at the station be off by that much? All of the above?
I got 215 miles on that tank of gas (46.3 mpg) which is not bad, but I'll never avoid re-fueling when the reserve/range below about 25-30 miles again.
I filled it the bottom of the filler neck; gas was at the small holes surrounding the main nozzle opening and the pump registered 4.64 gallons. A few thoughts came up. Is the tank really a 5 gallon capacity or does the fuel pump (etc) displace that much? Could I still have had a bit of air in the tank due to the slightly downhill nature of the gas station driveway? Does the fuel pump inlet position allow as much as 1/3 of a gallon of gas to remain in the tank? Could the accuracy of the pump at the station be off by that much? All of the above?
I got 215 miles on that tank of gas (46.3 mpg) which is not bad, but I'll never avoid re-fueling when the reserve/range below about 25-30 miles again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,121
Likes: 3,636
From: backwoods
Probably bad for fuel pump operating in air. The gas probably cools it.
I wonder if the pump can suck all the gas out
Take tank off. Shake it out. Fill 5 gallon milk jugs with water, and measure. Number jugs so you don't forget how many you put in
Joking aside someone asked this before
I wonder if the pump can suck all the gas out
Take tank off. Shake it out. Fill 5 gallon milk jugs with water, and measure. Number jugs so you don't forget how many you put in
Joking aside someone asked this before
Last edited by Rounders; Nov 11, 2022 at 06:37 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,757
From: Omaha,NE
Advertised fuel capacity does not take into account the intentional airspace in the top of the tank, nor the displacement caused by the pump/sender assembly.
Quit yer bitchin'. 3.7 gallon tank on the V-Rod (advertised).
Quit yer bitchin'. 3.7 gallon tank on the V-Rod (advertised).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 11,155
From: San Diego, CA
I always use the trip odometer, mileage, as the final word on when to refill.... I never rely completely on gauges of any kind....
Many years ago (seems like another lifetime ago) I went across country on a '78 FXS Low Rider with 3.5 gallon tanks. It didn't have a fuel gauge of any kind, and I never ran out of fuel...
OP, IMHO.... I suggest you start looking for gas stations @ 170mi..... MPGs can vary quite a bit with conditions... and hell, 170 miles is long enough to take a break...
Many years ago (seems like another lifetime ago) I went across country on a '78 FXS Low Rider with 3.5 gallon tanks. It didn't have a fuel gauge of any kind, and I never ran out of fuel...
OP, IMHO.... I suggest you start looking for gas stations @ 170mi..... MPGs can vary quite a bit with conditions... and hell, 170 miles is long enough to take a break...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Fuel gauge is nice but experience relies on the odometer between fill ups.
I'm guessin HD finally got around to addressing that rattling filler cap, heh?
That aggravated me for 3 days, oh we got one on back order for ya, sir. Screw that, give me that fancy one hanginf on the wall, and the matching left side too....lulz
I'm guessin HD finally got around to addressing that rattling filler cap, heh?
That aggravated me for 3 days, oh we got one on back order for ya, sir. Screw that, give me that fancy one hanginf on the wall, and the matching left side too....lulz
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 11,290
From: Colorado Rockies
Closest I ever came to running out of fuel was putting 3.1 gallons into my Sportster 3.3 gallon tank. Almost didn't make it to Vernal, Utah.
Even though the Indian and FLHTK have gas gages, I typically fill up using the odometer. I start looking for gas stations at around 175 miles.
Even though the Indian and FLHTK have gas gages, I typically fill up using the odometer. I start looking for gas stations at around 175 miles.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 380
Likes: 153
From: Hot Springs, SD
My 05" Softail Springer Classic holds 5 gal according to the book.....I replaced the OEM speedo with a combo one so I have the original fake gas cap gauge (seems pretty accurate) and a speedo gauge (reads 1/8th low when full which I was warned about). I ran it til the "low fuel warning" light came on (196 miles-both gauges seemed to agree) then did another 10 miles to the nearest fuel station. I put in 4.6 gals (the manual indicates that when the low fuel light comes on you have 1/2 gal remaining). All seems pretty kosher but I usually never run more than 150 miles before filling up. Better to be safe than sorry.....and I'm way to old to push a 600 lb bike any distance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,851
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From: NE Ohio
don't where/how the pump pick-up runs
So is it possible the lean turn into the gas station moves what little is left in the tank ?
(enough for the pump pick-up to suck air??)
..L.T.A.
So is it possible the lean turn into the gas station moves what little is left in the tank ?
(enough for the pump pick-up to suck air??)
..L.T.A.