After I pulled out of the truckstop this morning and started making my way up interstate 65 I glanced at my data display panel. Oops, fuel level down to 12%. I knew I'd forgotten something, I had planned to fuel before leaving. I had a choice to make. I could either make a U turn at the next exit and return to the truckstop for fuel or try to make the next one 62 miles up the road.
I did some quick mental calculations and decided that if I cut my cruising speed back to 60mph I should have just enough fuel to make it the 62 miles. Barely. And if there isn't too much of a headwind. What the hell, I decided to see how accurate my calculations were and pushed on although at the reduced speed of 60mph.
I kept my eye on the data panel as I cruised along and watched as the numbers slowly got smaller and smaller. At one point, when it reached 4%, I was starting to think I had miscalculated a bit.
3%, and still a little way to go.
2%, not there yet.
1% and the exit is coming up soon.
The data display for the fuel level hit 0% just as I rolled up to the pumps. I probably couldn't have made it more than another mile or two before running out.
When I finished filling the two fuel tanks I noted that I had pumped in just one gallon short of their capacity. So I guess I could have made it another 4 or 5 miles tops.
I felt a certain satisfaction that I had calculated correctly, even if I had cut it mighty close. You get your kicks where you can I suppose.