The owners manual states that the tank is 13.2 gallons. On every other honda i've owned, there has been slightly more fuel available then what is stated. I ran out of gas in my prelude once or twice, and it always took 16.2 gallons or so, even though the manual says 15.9.

When I drove the car into the garage last weekend, I said to myself, "get gas when you go out next time." The car was running fine, not sputtering, and truthfully I figured (based on driving habits and past mileage) that i had about one gallon left, or 20-25 miles.

Yesterday I went to start the car... first time since last weekend, and it wouldn't start. Well, it would start, but it wouldn't run. Sputtered and died after a few seconds, due to, I would guess, low fuel pressure caused by not having any/enough gas. I grabbed my handy gas can, which had 1/4 gallon in it, dumped it in, and drove to the gas station.

Now the confusing part. It only took 11.9 gallons. Add the 1/4 gallon I put in, and that's a gallon short..... exactly the gallon I figured I had left!

I searched through some old posts, and while there is a lot of talk about how many miles/gallons people have left with various numbers of bars and lights, I couldn't find any mention of someone filling up after running out completely.

Anyone else? Does my S2k have a midget gas tank?!?!

 

Maybe you were parked on an incline?

 

Fuel pickup could be screwed up?

 

I've run my car for 50 miles past empty (0 bars), and squeezed 12.2 gallons in. Realistically, there is probably only about 12.5 usable gallons of gas in the tank.

 

Maybe the pump's meter at the gas station was off?

 

I've run out and topped off with 12.25 gallons, so you're right on the mark.

 

It probably isn't that Honda misstated the capacity, just that the pick-up won't get the last bit. And you can't trust all the pumps either.. I have seen 12.8 on the pump when the tank seemed dry.