Monitoring Second Subaru Recall, Not For Foresters, Yet.

John L. said:

https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2018/11/08/subaru-recall-outback-legacy/1930566002/

A second Subaru large recall, thus far only pertinent to 2018 Outbacks and Legacies. Failure of low fuel warning light or distance remaining indicators, leading to running out of gas. Nice.
Reprogramming planned.

Click to expand...

As it relates to programming issues/problems/bugs in automobiles, we had better get used to it. In fact, we eventually may start seeing regular software updates, possibly monthly or quarterly, like Microsoft and Apple provide. Tesla already does it automatically in its vehicles. It’s just the nature of the beast today.

Regarding the specific problem in this article, if a driver runs out of fuel because the low fuel warning light never illuminated or the trip computer miscalculated the DTE, he gets no sympathy from me. It’s idiotic to run your tank that low on a consistent basis. I remember the time not too long ago when there was no such feature in cars, and the same thought-processing drivers ran out of fuel then, too.

You got that right, Feline. Most people don't realize the risk of severe engine damage if you actually do run dry. It is just not worth the chance. But many still take it anyway.

Fuel gauge

½ a tank in winter I fuel up in the summer maybe ¼ tank then filler up. I had a Ford Escort that in the final years of ownership the fuel gauge was on empty so I used the trip odometer as a reminder I got 29mpg so when I got 270 miles on it I would fill up.
My wife on the other hand would wait on her Escape low fuel light to come on I would always be nervous that we would run out.
Lou Cioccio

so for Subie enthusiast, we need a second can?

1st can: oil
2nd can: Gas.

You guys forget that running on a full tanks adds weight and therefore less fuel economy...adding extra jerry cans makes it worse.

Just check the gas every time you fill up with oil and you will be fine.

Only need to carry extra when you go on a long trip. :thumbsup:

eelnod said:

You guys forget that running on a full tanks adds weight and therefore less fuel economy...adding extra jerry cans makes it worse.

Click to expand...

Theoretically, true.

However, there are additional fuel costs each time you refuel. Unless you live in an area where there is a gas station on every corner...

I’d bet money that if a comparison test was done in which, in a test, a vehicle ran 5000 miles with the fuel tank filled completely each time the tank hit 1/8 tank remaining, then in another test was run another 5000 miles with the fuel tank only filled to 1/2 tank each time the tank hit 1/8 tank remaining, the difference In mpg would be negligible (or even better in the full tank version of the test).

The risks of running out of fuel, and the associated pain that comes with it, isn’t worth running around on fumes... at least, not for me.