How to Keep From Running Out of Gas (if your car is a little older)

Not all of us can drive brand new cars these days even with government and dealer incentives. If your car is old like mine, one of the most annoyings things that I have to put up with is A GAS GUAGE that doesn't work right!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Common sense
• A pen or a pencil

1. 
    
   Typical 4 door sedan

   First, I am assuming you have driven your current car for several years and basically "know" it inside and out. I mean you anticipate certain noises at certain speeds, you expect certain squeaks at various times and you know about how many miles to the gallon (mpg) your car normally delivers in everyday driving that you normally do. If this is true, then continue.....

2. Most cars provide around 13 - 15 miles per gallon in overall driving. Again, I will assume that your car is "normal". This eliminates diesels, trucks and excessive gas guzzlers. If this you feel your car is within this range of normality please proceed....

3. One should know how many gallons of gas your particular tank holds. Think back or go fill up your vehicle and note the number of gallons it took. If your tank was nearly empty, then keep that number of gallons of gas in your head or jot it down on a notepad that you can reference in the future.

4. 
    
   The LOWER odometer is the Trip odometer

   If you are lucky enough to have a trip odometer on your vehicle's dash, this is the most important tool you'll need to keep from running out of gas. Re-set the trip odometer each time you refuel. Watch for your magic number as you drive then stop and fill up when you see it on the odometer.

5. 
    
   It's simple math......

   Take the number of gallons your tank holds or the number of gallons you purchased the last time you filled up (realize that these gallons will be a minimal number to work with) and multiply them by about 12 mpg. This will give you a general idea of how far you can go before your tank is depleted.

6. After having filled up, re-set your odometer on your dashboard to zero. Do the computation of mpg times your gallons (previously discussed) and write down your number or remember it in your head.

7. 
    
   These are cheap and easy to use

   Using that little notepad, write down the current mileage on your car.

8. Add your estimated distance to this mileage.

9. 
    
   Now you can keep going

   Write this mileage down on your notepad. Keep this notepad in your vehicle at all times. I'll bet, on the average, that you can go about 300 - 400 miles without worrying about running out of gas.

10. 
     
    All Smiles Now!!

    Drive safely respecting all laws and quit worrying about a gas gauge that doesn't work. You have just built yourself a safeguard using common sense to insure when to fill up next without the risk of running out of gas. You can drive into the rainbow searching for the proverbial "pot of gold" relaxed now.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes a gas gauge can be fixed by replacing a bad fuse.

Resources

• Additional D-I-Y help