How far can you run on an 'EMPTY' tank of gas?

I'm all about deals and bargains these days cos' of the economy don't ya know. I stumbled upon a u$d19 per day car rental rate a while back because to find a cheap rate, it can be difficult to search for car hire USA, so I block booked every weekend from October 2011 to June 2012 with the option to cancel and/or extend the weekend rental for as long as I like. Since we hadn't made concrete plans for Christmas / New Years I decided we would extend the 2 day rental to 16 days and drive from New Jersey to Florida (1,250 miles / 2,000 Kilometres) x 2 for the journey back.

The trip was great and escaping the cold North East Winter for the warmth of Florida beaches was shhhplendid.  Herself doesn't drive (or have a license yet) so we took our time and stopped off plenty on the way there and back. I managed to avoid all pitfalls like breakdowns, flat tires, speeding tickets, getting lost etc.  As we were close to home I noticed the tank was close to empty but I was in the express section of the highway and we were making good time and the warning light hadn't come on so I decided to 'let it ride' so to speak. Soon enough the needle was at the big 'E' for 'EMPTY' but I figured as soon as the fuel warning light came on I would turn off and get 'gas' aka petrol so no probs.

Finally the fuel warning light came on but I was now only about 10 miles from home and I remember seeing that episode from Seinfeld where Kramer pushes the boundaries of how far he can get on 'EMPTY' so I went for the same.  Unfortunately, I didn't fair as well as Kramer and after 5 minutes I heard 'put-put-put' coming from the engine I knew we were doomed'.  Luckily I was able to pull off at an exit and roll down to the toll booth exit where we called Hertz who called the NJ Turnpike Assistance who came and gave us 'emergency gas' for u$d37 so it could have been a lot worse.  It will however remain one of my more unusual Facebook location check-ins.   

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Tags: .How far can you run on an EMPTY tank of petrol / gas?..

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