On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 3:08 PM, Annie <lsandrsn@gmail.com> wrote:

> Geo - I have other indication. The needle movement from full to empty seems
> consistent but really, I have no idea. Is there any way I can tell for
> sure?
> Short of actually running it out of gas, which I'd rather not do.
>
> By my calculations for a standard Vanagon gas tank of 15.9 gallons, at
> about
> 21 mpg, I should be getting about 315 miles per tank. Does that sound
> correct?

Correct.  Of course -- YMMV (literally).  For every new-to-me car I do the
suggested thing of carrying a gallon of gas in the car and driving until the
odometer suggests I am way low on gas.  With luck you will not actually run
out.

If you're really detailed-oriented you can note your miles travelled at the
various marks on the gas gauge and once you know your mileage roughly figure
what they mean.

Geo