Re: [Phys-l] real-world problem

[Bernard Cleyet <bernardcleyet@redshift.com>]

The manual writes it's only relative.   Not only that it claims some thing like 40 miles worth of petrol when the buzzer goes (and lite flashes).

 One time I got 60 and another ONLY TEN miles.  Then a dealer's clerk said the tank was a collapsing type, so I concluded the weather would have a big influence.  The ten was in v. unpleasant Utah Summer and the 60, calif. winter.

bc

BTW it is very non-linear -- My Prius requires almost 100 miles before it drops from 10 to 9 bars.  Furthermore, I can insert more than 1.5 ga after the nozzle shuts off.  


On 2011, Feb 01, , at 19:50, John Mallinckrodt wrote:

> Now I'm not sure what "42.4% mark" you're referring to.  It surely would never have come up in the first place as it requires a both difficult AND misguided calculation.  Indeed, it's pretty clear that no car manufacturer does any careful calculations, let alone calibrations of fuel gauges.  Hell, I'd be happy if 50% on my Prius gauge corresponded to as much as 40% remaining.
>
> John Mallinckrodt
> Cal Poly Pomon