I’m an idiot (car related)

[Merryoldgoat]

I’ve just had my car collected for its annual service and MOT.

I’ve just realised that the fuel tank is nearly empty. I meant to refuel yesterday but given how little I’m out these days I forgot.

The light hasn’t come on but will soon I’m sure. Will it make the journey to the garage and back?

It’s probably about 6miles each way

YABU - the man will breakdown on the way

YANBU - it’ll be fine but you’ll get (rightly) told off when he brings it back.

I’m so annoyed with myself - I feel like my brain is a foggy bog these days.

I hope being sanctimonious is fun for you

Wow. Nobody is expecting you to be a mechanic, OP. A level of knowing when you need to refuel you car should be an assumption for safety on the road though.

@Eckhart

I hope being sanctimonious is fun for you

Wow. Nobody is expecting you to be a mechanic, OP. A level of knowing when you need to refuel you car should be an assumption for safety on the road though.

But it’s clear I DO know - this has literally never happened to me as I normally refuel at 1/8 of a tank.

What I don’t know is how long I have after the light has gone on.

The poster I replied to was being sanctimonious - I didn’t say everyone was and I have already acknowledged I’m an idiot for letting it happen.

As others have said it'll be fine

I remember buying 'my' first car and the dealer said when the light came on I'd have about 50 miles - DH groaned and said not to tell me that, because I'd take advantage I should be thinking 'light on - got enough to get to the petrol station'

My current car counts down miles left (goes blank when it gets to 30) but light comes on at 60miles

@Merryoldgoat

But it’s clear I DO know

Your OP is literally because you don't know

I’ve never heard of them picking up and dropping back a car! That’s amazing! I’m jealous.
I have to drive to the nearest town and wait around until it’s done so can only do it on a day off.

Consumption generally is linked to the size of tank for example a car that does 56MPG (as advertised, rarely do they do that in real world driving) will have a much smaller tank than one that is advertised as 28 MPG. I'm surprised people didn't learn all this in driving lessons...

Probably because it’s not that accurate. Some real world examples from my commute, same journey, same driver, same traffic. Three different cars with fuel tanks of 50, 65 and 70 litres. The ranges of these cars when used for this commute are 270, 520 and 200 miles respectively.

I've run out once, fortunately on the forecourt in the queue. I'd probably done 40 miles with the light on on rural roads in a very inefficient sports car (my planned garage had no fuel much to my horror!)

Most cars I’ve had have 30+ miles from the low fuel warning - I once drove more than 30 miles with the range showing zero (in France pre-google etc and lost)

Most garages do this free of charge as a courtesy not a god given right - hence my reference to entitled customers. Maybe you fall under this category?

Yes I agree it’s the drivers job but most are on minimum wage and take some amount of sh*t from people on a daily basis so there isn’t much job satisfaction and a little appreciation goes a long way.

Picking customers cars up and running out of fuel is way more common than you think. And in answer to your question “how on earth can you know this?” I have worked with these drivers for over 25 years.

My previous comments were aimed @BarbaraofSeville

I was always told not to let the fuel run low because it drags all the sludge through the engine ( I've been driving since cars had to be cranked up with a starting handle )

Present car isn't content with A Light . It has a screamy liitle arsey alarm to let me know (and scared the bejeesus out of me when I heard it)

My light goes from static to flashing when I am down to the last few miles (and even then I think I get 20 miles out of it until it cuts out). The light always makes me freak out a bit too.

@Reinventinganna

I’ve never heard of them picking up and dropping back a car! That’s amazing! I’m jealous. I have to drive to the nearest town and wait around until it’s done so can only do it on a day off.

It's a really really helpful service they offer - they are a dealership as well as a garage so I don't know if that makes a difference and they are local-ish (well - 6 miles!!)

They also offer a courtesy car drop off and exchange if you need it but I don't generally take that up unless absolutely necessary.

I really like them and have used them for some years.

[quote Eckhart]@Merryoldgoat

But it’s clear I DO know

Your OP is literally because you don't know [/quote]
No, my post is literally asking how long before it runs out, not if it will run out.

Yes, so you don't know when to refuel your car, which was the point I was making. You're arguing my point for me.

Anyway, hope you get it sorted. It's a warning light, not a 'you are an inch from running out' light. It gives you time to get to a petrol station, so your 12 miles should be fine. But get them to top it up for you if you're not sure.

Yes, I make a point of understanding how to work and safely maintain any bit of heavy machinery I use.

I'm not sure why people are being so pissy. There are two types of drivers- those who are uneasy when they get down to quarter if a tank and those who enjoy petrol light roulette. I'm in the former category and have probably seen a petrol warning light come on less than a dozen times in 25+ years of driving. I have no idea how far any of my cars would have gone once it showed!

My car has 50 miles left (according to the car) when the light comes on, and 30 miles left once it says there are 0 miles left, on a level road surface.

@eurochick

It would be a good idea to find out, in case you get in a spot. Especially if you get anxious when petrol gets low.

@whoami24601

There was a Top Gear episode a few years ago where they had to drive from lands end to John o groats on one tank of petrol. The distance they all did on empty tanks was shocking!

I always think of this episode when I'm running low.

Worse case is they will add £10 fuel and add it to your bill.

Just chill out, all pretty standard stuff for them.

/worksinmotortrade

As long as its not a Saab, as soon as its at 0 that's it for ours.

@MrsVeryTired

As long as its not a Saab, as soon as its at 0 that's it for ours.

Deffo not as fancy as a Saab.

It’s basically a shed on wheels I’m trying to get through another 2 years when we can afford something better. Drives nicely though.

@Mycomfyplacetochill

Worse case is they will add £10 fuel and add it to your bill.

Just chill out, all pretty standard stuff for them.

/worksinmotortrade

Thank you - they were very nice when I called and said ‘don’t worry - we’ve sorted it’.

Yes, I make a point of understanding how to work and safely maintain any bit of heavy machinery I use.

Quite agree. I extend that to every piece of machinery to which I entrust my life. I’m not a pilot but understand how a plane works etc.