When does it really run dry ?

[Dog Licked Racing]

Last weekend I pushed the fuel range on my 04 dodge a bit. I ran until the overhead distance to empty was 0 (zero) for about 5 miles. Then I out 36 gallons into a 35 gallon tank (owwners manual number).



The overhead read 12. 5 MPG, I hand calculated 12. 6 MPG so that a match, a 454. 7 mile range per tank.



The only thing I noticed was extra boost and 200 to 300 degrees higher EGT the last 20 miles.



How far into empty do these trucks really go?

 

[B.G. Smith]

Last weekend I pushed the fuel range on my 04 dodge a bit. I ran until the overhead distance to empty was 0 (zero) for about 5 miles. Then I out 36 gallons into a 35 gallon tank (owwners manual number).



The overhead read 12. 5 MPG, I hand calculated 12. 6 MPG so that a match, a 454. 7 mile range per tank.



The only thing I noticed was extra boost and 200 to 300 degrees higher EGT the last 20 miles.



How far into empty do these trucks really go?

You just about got there. Some fuel is used for injector cooling and is returned to the tank, when the tank gets about empty the fuel remaining in the tank gets pretty warm. I would not rely on the DTE reading as it is a calculation using the MPG average registered on the overhead readout multiplied by what the fuel gage indicates is left in the tank. My overhead has never registered within two miles per gallon of the actual MPG, I usually have six or seven gallons left when the gage is at or near empty. bg

 

[klenger]

I think I have about 2 gallons left at "E", and I've gone well below that. I think I had one tank with 700 miles on it, and I don't over fill at all.

 

[Matt400]

I ran mine down to 10 miles before pulling the tank and there was only an inch left, be cautious doing this cuz its hard on the lift pump when they pull air.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

When I did the fuel tank vent kit a ouple of months ago, I ran my tank 50 miles past empty before I dropped the tank. I still had at least 5 gals left. My range empty is right around 700 miles now, and about 500 towing. The downside is now it cost more to fill up the tank from almost empty.

 

[DieselFiend]

The owners manual says when the fuel light comes on you have about 15% of the total tank capacity left. This is pretty accurate because I had to calculate how far I could go to make it to the cheap fuel in boise (had to run errands there anyway). Less accurate would be the DTE on the overhead. It says once the overhead reaches "0" you have about 8% of the total tank capacity left. Hope that helps.

 

[Big MAK]

Put over 38 gals in my '06 one time. After a while the overhead says "Fuel Lo" and no DTE. It's a really bad idea to run a fuel injected engine too low. Wasn't having any heating or running problems.

 

[Eric_77]

Someone has posted 42 gallons from total empty(dropped tank) to total full with vent kit.

 

[Patriot_RAM]

I'm one of the ones that posted that... . I intentionally ran mine dry to see how big the reserve was. After it was dry, it took almost exactly 42 gallons up to the neck -- and my manual says it's a 35 gallon tank. My mileage on that tank was about 20. 5 because I was driving 65mph the entire tank and at that mileage I made it 90 miles beyond the DTE reaching zero.

 

[machinemover]

I have an 06 with the vent kit, I have put in 40. 2 gal already.

 

[Matt400]

Someone has posted 42 gallons from total empty(dropped tank) to total full with vent kit.

I posted 38. 5 here on a short bed.

 

[JCasper]

How hard is it to install the vent kit? Does it take very long? How much extra capacity do you get?



Thanks,



Joe

 

[Matt400]

Check out the thread I linked to, lots of good info there.

 

[wcjp]

Someone here accidentally ran the truck out of fuel on a 3rd Gen. He ended up with all kinds of issues. Dealer ended up with truck for about a week.

 

[Pawpaw]

How hard is it to install the vent kit? Does it take very long? How much extra capacity do you get?

It's not hard, but you do need to drop the tank. Get a friend to help you.



The vent kit does not add any capacity. If you're patient, you can fill a non-modified tank just as full, but it will take about 20 minutes (after the pump first kicks off) to get it full up to the neck.



With the vent kit, it only takes about a minute.



Bob

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Someone has posted 42 gallons from total empty(dropped tank) to total full with vent kit.

I have also posted that. I didn't run it dry but when I dropped it for the vent kit I drained all of the fuel out of the tank into 5-gal buckets. I had approx 6-7 gallons between 2 buckets and when I filled up (drove 6 miles) I put in 36. 5 gallons.



Jeff