I have the 26 also. Most I've ever got into it was 23.5 gallons and the EVIC was showing only about 10 miles left and the neddle was really on "E". Has to be a few gallons reserve built in.

 

Well, it's a cheaper fill the less you have to put in right? LOL

 

My 02 Silverado would have the low fuel light come on with about 3 gallons left, and it had a 26 gallon tank. I guess I just don't understand why we need a 6 gallon reserve on a 32 gallon tank.

 

They do this to help cool the fuel pump. If you run it dry it's hard on the pump. It will be on E and still have 2 gallons left. That held true on my '97.
--Hop

 

I thought this applied to diesels (the recirculating of the fuel to act as coolant)?

 

I was told once, to never let your tank run empty. It can cause all kinds of problems with junk that settles at the very bottom. I never let my tank get below 1/4 mark.

Never know when you need to make an emergency run when the brew runs out!!!

 

You know I have heard that a 1000 times, but the problem I have with that reasoning is this:
The fuel pickup is at the bottom on the tank, so it's always picking up whatever has settled to the bottom. I had someone say "when you run low on fuel you pickup up the water that has collected in the tank over time". My response is that gasoline is lighter than water (as is crude oil) so the water settles to the bottom anyway. I totally disagree with that "wives tale", but welcome any points I may be overlooking. I am not saying you are wrong since you are just repeating what you have been told. I just can't find the logic in it. I am no fuel systems engineer, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn last night..

 

Maybe the "Mythbusters" crew should check into this!

 

I always felt the same way...as I felt it did not make sense...like you said, the fuel line is at the bottom. I know when I dropped a tank on a 1982 CJ 7, years ago, the opening to the fuel line stick out in the tank a little bit! And it did have some junk in the bottom!!!

I guess that is why they have filters!!!

 

I had a chance to test the original topic of this thread. My EVIC showed that I had a range of 73 miles left. I was averaging on the computer 17.8 mpg. That meant that I should have about 4 gals left in the tank. I expected to add 28 gallons to the tank and it held 27.1. That makes it pretty accurate to giving you about a gallon reserve.