Gas Tank Capacity

[joramed]

This is an open question to anyone. The gas tank capacity of the Pilot according to spec is 19 u.s. galllons. However, each time I fill up my tank when the needle is at the empty level, I can only fill it up to about 17 u.s. gallons. Does this mean that at empty level, there is still 2 gallons available? Maybe this was designed as a margin? On my Accord, the situation is the same. Spec is 17 u.s. gallons but I usually fill up to 14 only. Does anyone have the same experience?

[N_Jay]

This is an open question to anyone. The gas tank capacity of the Pilot according to spec is 19 u.s. galllons. However, each time I fill up my tank when the needle is at the empty level, I can only fill it up to about 17 u.s. gallons. Does this mean that at empty level, there is still 2 gallons available? Maybe this was designed as a margin? On my Accord, the situation is the same. Spec is 17 u.s. gallons but I usually fill up to 14 only. Does anyone have the same experience?

Hondas seems very consistant that way.
My old '83 Civic was exactly 2 Gal from the "E" to dry, and as far as I can tell my CR-V and Pilot are also.

[joramed]

Thanks N_Jay for the reply. It means that at empty, I can still drive 75 miles on my Accord and 32 miles on the Pilot. By the way did you notice that on the Pilot, the empty lamp goes on before the needle reaches the "E" level (about half a marker)?

[Pilot Critter]

i've noticed it on fords also....you can never fill the thing completely up. they allow some room for the expansion of the gasoline. critter

[wbhikergirl]

I think they make the light come on and the gauge read empty for all of the lazy people out there (like ME) who sometimes wait too long to fill the tank.

[N_Jay]

Thanks N_Jay for the reply. It means that at empty, I can still drive 75 miles on my Accord and 32 miles on the Pilot. By the way did you notice that on the Pilot, the empty lamp goes on before the needle reaches the "E" level (about half a marker)?

Yes the Civic did not have a low fuel light, but the CR-V and Pilot low fuel light goes on at almost exactly 1 gal above the "E" mark.

Of course hills, turns, starts and Stops can make it go on earlier.
Once on it does not like to go off till the tank is filled. Guess that is to keep it from flashing all the time.

[Arthur Stiffleman]

Last night my "Low Fuel" indicator light came on, as you mentioned, the gauge was slightly above the "E".

I immediately filled the tank up to capacity, which according to the pump, was 14.2 gallons of gas. This would seem to indicate that there were still almost five gallons in the tank, which is a lot.

Has anyone else found that they can only add 14 gallons on a fresh "E" warning light?

[joramed]

if i filled up my tank at the moment that the light came on, i would probably have the same result as yours since it comes on way before the empty marker. at the empty marker, it still fills up to 17gals only. therefore, i now know that i can drive, at most, 32 miles more from the moment the needle hits empty. after this, i usually would fill up to about 18.6, closer to 19. i still don't understand need for the too early warning (at about 5gals left). :?:

[redn22]

it's a good indicator especially when you're on the highway... it gives you enough warning to fill up at the next gas stop (that's of course if you play your cards right...)