Date:         Fri, 30 Jan 2009 08:37:09 -0500
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Odometer fixed..and "how dumb am I? (gas guage)
Comments: To: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <497FBDAA.4090303@verizon.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

This can vary, vanagon to vanagon. On two of my vanagons (86 syncro,
and 91 westy syncro), when I get to the RED area I figure that I've
used about 12 gallons (from fillup), so I have about 6 gallons more to
go.

On another of my Vanagons (91 syncro) it is closer to about 14 gallons
when I get to RED area (so I only have about 4 gallons left).

On my 90 Tristar, when I get to the RED area I have about 2 gallons
left.

Also, since the fuel guage is driven by voltage, if you have low
voltage from your alternator (or are running on battery), the gauge
will read lower. Conversely with a subaru alternator putting out 14
volts, it will read higher (and hence mislead you as to how much gas
you really have remaining.)

Data on my tristar, however was with stock VW engine.

On Jan 27, 2009, at 9:06 PM, Mike Collum wrote:

> Mike S wrote:
>> Red _is_ reserve. It's just that to the Germans, empty is empty, so
>> the
>> reserve is the last bit before the tank is empty. Consider the red a
>> warning that it's time to buy gas.
>
>
> Well, FWIW, the red or "Reserve" area on a Vanagon fuel gauge is 1/4
> tank ... or just under 4 gallons left in the tank.  I wouldn't count
> on
> it being more than 3 gallons, though.
>
> Mike