As many GM vehicle owners know, the standard distance-to-empty gauge in the instrument cluster can be vague, often displaying a “LOW” warning once the range dips below about 35 miles. While this design may nudge drivers toward earlier refueling, it also hides precise data, making it harder to judge exactly how much range actually remains. Thankfully, there’s a straightforward workaround to figure out a better estimate of how many miles are left in the tank before it runs dry.
To use this workaround, make sure you have the GM myBrand app (myBuick, myGMC, myChevrolet, or myCadillac) installed on your phone. In the app, users can uncover a wealth of detailed fuel information – right down to the last mile.
In the “My Vehicle” section of the app, users can view not only the fuel level percentage, but also a numerical estimate of the remaining driving range. For example, as shown in the screenshot featured below for the GMC Sierra AT4 pickup, the app clearly displays a 2 percent fuel level and an estimated nine miles to empty, all crucial information that’s not visible in the vehicle’s cluster at that stage.
This level of detail is likely appreciated by drivers who prefer exact data over vague warnings. As covered previously, competing automakers like Ford continue to provide mileage estimates even at low fuel levels, offering a more transparent user experience in that regard.
While it’s helpful to know precisely how far you can go, it’s also important to remember that repeatedly running low on fuel can damage various vehicle components. For example, fuel can act as a cooling and lubricating agent for the pump, which means running on low all the time could actually damage the pump in the long run. Still, for those GM owners looking for more accuracy and planning confidence, the myBrand app remains the best option to determine how many miles are left in the tank.
Comments
Old school: Haul a can of gas until it runs dry, keeping track of the miles/fuel left. Write down the true MPG by recording the gallons filled and real miles driven.
Riiiight.
Tell me how out of touch you are without actually telling me.
Also, this is about miles to empty. Not mpg. Your comment is about as useful as a happy meal.
Oh great!, now idiots have another reason to take their eyes off the road and fiddle with the app. Not a great look for GM Authority to point out. I’d be willing to guarantee that at least one accident will result from this useless information.
Can you say where it is that GM Authority is recommending to look at the app while driving?
I once rolled my Chevy Truck into a gas station without knowing it was about to quit at the pump.
That comment reminded.me of a Chrvy wagon owner whose fuel gage went bad. He stuffed a few golf balls into the tank. Since they float in gasoline, he knows when to refill when he hears the golf balls rolling around the tank bottom.
Find out how many gallons your tank holds. When the light comes on, note how many gallons you put back in. Do the math.
In my experience of 50 years of driving, they’re always seems to be a reserve beyond what the book tells you the gas tank holds. But that’s playing games with your traveling.
How useful is this? If you know how many gallons you have left you can better predict when you have to stop. Therefore you avoid hillbilly gas stations and can make it to the next gas station of your choice.
I live in the mountains of Georgia so I have a right to say the word hillbilly.
They keep us guessing with lifter issues too.
EVs are more exact in reporting the miles left because it uses the battery voltage to calculate the miles. The battery has a low charge reserve for a few miles because the manufacturer never wants anyone to really drive to “EMPTY” or zero charge, which can damage the battery
It does not use the battery voltage. that works for lead acid, but not Lithium. lithium maintains the battery voltage all the way down to less than 10% capacity (or around that level) What they really do is measure the amount of energy that has been extracted. the capacity of the battery is in amp hours. so they tell you how many AH have been consumed. (capacity – cunsumption ) / capacity is percent capacity left.
Other than for max battery life, it’s recommended to charge from 20% to 80%, so that’s hard to justify an EV advantage for max milage per charge.
Life is not a challenge as to how far you can drive. When you see it getting to E stop and fuel up. The fact is these miles to empty can all vary and you may risk running out.
I was always taught to keep at least a quarter of a tank of of fuel at all times ! It keeps the fuel pump cool and may save you from running out of fuel especially being stuck in a traffic jam ! Running out of fuel will definitely damage a fuel pump !
At last, someone with a brain.
Right, when you guage hits low, pull over at the next fast station immediately! It’ll save your gas pump from premature failure. Actually, I’d say aim to refill at 1/4 tank, no lower than 1/8 so you have your choice of gas pump anyways. That way you know your not in a crunch for the closest fuel station and can fill up at a top tier station that’s not ripping you off.
Scott, you are an intelligent man. And Police should give a ticket when someone runs out of gas on a bridge, for exemple, and specially during rush hours.
The German Polizei does that as failure to exercise due diligence. This is considered a preventable human error that can endanger other drivers by causing a vehicle to stop on the high-speed highway. The fine typically ranges from €30 to €70.
I just keep my 60 gallon transfer tank in back of my ‘24 3500 filled. Besides: it has an additional filter on it for fuel and water. I can also fill up with almost have price diesel before crossing back into Commiefornia.
I think some foreign brands already have that feature …
It doesn’t cost any more to keep the top half of the tank full as it does the bottom half.
In theory less gas in the tank equals less weight to haul around. Less weight equals greater MPG. But in general, I do agree with the sentiment as the difference is negligible.
Slow news (story) day.
I think this demonstrates GM’s desire to find revenue streams beyond the sale.
There is probably a charge to have the app link with your vehicle.
This is very frustrating. Gone are the days when I purchase a vehicle and it’s truly mine. Now they want a way to extract further funds from you every month or as long as you own that vehicle. Personally, I can just live with the gas gauge ans is and fuel up when it hits a quarter of a tank. Screw that greed!
“While this design may nudge drivers toward earlier refueling, it also hides precise data, making it harder to judge exactly how much range actually remains.”
That’s the thing: fuel senders and gauges are NOT precise! Many aren’t accurate under 1/8 tank much less to the mile. Just use the gauge as a general indicator, which it is, and don’t run it under 1/4 tank.
Cannot believe this is an actual article again. Just refill the dang car.
How about they just display the information the car clearly has, so I can decide when to refill the dang car?
TBFH, this is part of the reason why I’m not considering the 6.2 recall big news. If this is what this site is worried about, then the 6.2 issue is more or less none existent. Slashgear ran an article last week that GM’s V8’s are still perceived as the most reliable engine on the market. Funny what everyone gets worked up about.
I ran out with the gauge saying I had 40 KMs left. Only once will that happen.
You mean install the apps that just months ago GM was harvesting data regarding our driving trends and selling it to insurance carriers without our knowledge or consent?
Sure… let me do that right now.
Nice to have in the app on my mobile, but why can’t it be within an app on the infotainment screens instead / in addition to? Why should I have to use my phone to see critical vehicle information?
Cant believe not a single “expert” even mentioned low fuel tank mean gasoline deposits/dirt/gunk…? being sucked up and pumped into our high tech & even higher pressure injectors! I remember when GM got sued for more or less “suggesting” that a certain Gasoline company shouldn’t be used to avoid an onslaught of failed injector warranty claims, (pre-Top-Tier designation)!