For drivers who like to cut it close when it comes to refueling, General Motors’ current distance-to-empty gauge may be more frustrating than helpful. As it stands, GM vehicles are designed to display “LOW,” rather than a specific distance to empty estimate (in miles or km), once the calculated remaining driving range dips below around 35 miles. While this design may encourage earlier refueling, it also leaves drivers guessing how far they can actually go before running out of go-juice.
34 miles remaining
This approach contrasts sharply with the system used by GM’s cross-town rival, Ford, which, as pointed out by our sister publication, Ford Authority, continues to show precise mileage estimates all the way to empty, even in the final stretch before the last drops run out. It’s a much more transparent system compared to GM’s design, and it offers clear data for those who want to make an informed decision, especially in situations where a fill-up may not be immediately available.
9 miles later, distance to empty gauge simply reads “LOW”
GM’s reasoning appears to be rooted in caution – by eliminating the mileage countdown below 35 miles, the GM display design is likely intended to nudge drivers to refuel sooner. But for those who manage their fuel stops carefully or find themselves in low-fuel scenarios out of necessity, this vagueness can be more of a hindrance than a help.
Indeed, many drivers would likely prefer to see a more exact countdown to zero, similar to the Ford design, thus giving them better information and more accurate expectations. That said, others may appreciate the current system’s subtle push toward conservative driving habits.
It’s also worth noting that consistently running low fuel can cause cause direct damage to the fuel pump in some vehicles, since the fuel helps to lubricate and cool the pump, while running low removes these benefits.
Still, we want to know – should GM redesign its distance to empty gauge? Voice your opinion in the poll below!
Comments
My Silverado just has a gauge which works well. Running low on gas shortens the life of your fuel pump and is generally a bad idea.
On the shortens:
Good point! -I forgot about that really important fact!
My 2009 Pontiac G-6 has an analog gauge and a “miles left” reading in the DIC screen on the radio.
You know pushing it to low is just dumb. If you don’t have enough sense to get gas as it gets near E you need help.
It is not like you are dealing with a 10 gal tank.
GM has been showing low below 40 miles to empty since the 90s maybe even the 80s on some Cadillac models. Is this seriously an issue with for people. Like for real just put fuel in the damn thing, pushing it to empty doesn’t save you any money.
Let’s just go for it like Thelma and Louise!
Of course, show the most accurate Range calculation right down to 0!
Showing only “LOW” eliminates the gauges usefulness when it is needed most!
The engine will tell you when it hits Zero .
Remember the Seinfeld Episode ?
I don’t want others taking away my ability to, or at least making it harder to make decisions.
Where is the poll?
right below the 4th picture. Look again. Stop being so quick to complain.
In the AMP version of the website, the poll wasn’t loaded. When I opened the full site, then it appeared.
Ever seen the bar graph display on a 1983 Datsun 280zx? Once you get to 1/4 tank the secondary bar graph kicks in. When you get to the last segment a big orange square lights up and a voice says “fuel level is low”. Come on GM that was 1983!
Seems like GM has bigger issues to worry about than this. Maybe the engine and transmission failures?
For us that live in a minus degree climate it’s a good idea to keep your tank full. Leaves less room for condensation to form thus ice.
I wish GM would simply calibrate the fuel gauge to match what is in the tank. My last 5 Sierra’s have never been accurate. If I fill the tank to overflowing the fill neck. the gauge reads full. By the time I am off the station lot the gauge is off full. Consequentially, when the gauge reads empty I can only squeeze 85 liters ( 22 GAL) into the tank. I seem to be carrying fuel that I cannot use.
My father paid the record highest price for gas in the history of the world. The needle in his Ford LTD Brougham was at “E” when he asked us to “look around for a cheap station.” The LTD flamed out near a shopping mall. My mother took their credit cards and went on a shopping spree. She shopped until she dropped. Spent hundreds and that was the mid ‘70s. Big coin back then. It was not a strip mall either.
The entire fuel level/miles-to-empty system needs updating or replacing. My former Suburban would display “LOW” when there was 5 gallons left in the 31 gallon tank. My current Sierra has had as little as 0.5 gallons in the tank within 5 minutes of getting a fuel level warning (not “low,” typically “70 miles to empty”), and as much as 3 gallons on other occasions. I hate getting that warning – it means I’ve ignored the gauge… that tiny little digital strip gauge across the bottom of the display that changes from dark gray to light gray as fuel is burned. It’s an incredibly poor design. Not cylinder deactivation bad, but it’s bad. I’d love an aftermarket reconfiguration of the instrument panel to get legible displays of important data. Anyone??
I just always fill up when it hits a quarter tank left, it’s not hard. Running out of gas is pure stupidity on the driver’s part.
Yes! GM’s low fuel (or “energy” 🙄) gages suck!
As a systems engineer that directly worked on those requirements: there are several failure modes, tolerance stackups, and production variance that could easily indicate range available when there was none. It’s a really bad customer dissatisfier to leave them stranded
‘I know what’s wrong with it… it’s out of gas !’
Even Billy Bob knows to KEEP fuel in ‘yer BowTie truck !!!
When the gas is low,fill er up Bro😂
Does it even matter?
Been driving Chevy’s for 25 years. Currently own 2 Chevys.
6.2 is junk. 5.3 is barely better. Base model Silverado has a freaking 4 cylinder and costs $40k.
Redesign the gas gauge, don’t. Anyone buying a new Chevy is an idiot.
GM should make both fuel report graphics a selectable option.
Anyone ever watch a nascar race where they were driving on the apron during the caution to ensure that the fuel pickup was full so they didn’t hit the throttle at green flag and have it stumble and cause a crash? That can happen to your car stupid if you let it get that low. Fill it up before then you juveniles!