Fuel Saver Mode

Heres something interesting ive noticed in my 06 tacoma prerunner v6

When the low fuel warning light comes on, the truck changes.. shifting becomes different, a bit more touchy, a bit rougher (automatic)

power is also reduced a bit, takes more throttle to move the same quickness as with a more full tank,

fill it back up, and everything reverts back to normal instantly

Is this some kind of fuel saving mode? or is this a weird fuel pump problem i havent figured out yet?

 

i usually fill up before this too.. but ive ran it down to near empty on my longer shore trips on the weekends.

just weird i guess.. done my google search, but found nothing..

ill have to look into this more.. it isnt unheard of though. my uncles saab had this.. as soon as it would would go low enough for the fuel warning to come on and ding.. the tranny would shift sooner, the acceleration would lag, and sport mode would be disabled..weird eh?

 

It's possible. The computer could have multiple fuel map options. I know a lot of the newer sport motorcycles coming out have them. So it wouldn't be much of a stretch to see them in our trucks. Especially considering the tech that they already have installed.

 

Wouldn't doubt if there was some "hidden" thing in the computer. I wrote up here a while back about a weird thing with the A/C shutting itself off and going into recirculate mode automatically when the water temp went over 210. Monitored it with my Scangauge and was able to have it happen a couple times in traffic on really hot days. Iteresting feature to keep the engine cool.

 

wow thats pretty interesting. I just got a scan gauge about 2 days ago. It is pretty badass.

 

Could be something as simple as fuel starvation. When my low fuel light comes on, about twice since I have owned it I was between 3.2 and 3.7 gallons of running dry based on a 21 gallon tank. I never noticed any difference in driveability but then I didn't continue to drive it for another 20 miles either and usually had stopped and refueled within about 10 miles max. So if your continuing to drive you might be getting small air pockets in the line causing hesitation, surging, etc.
Just a guess.

 

Subbed

 

I must have the Exxon calibration in my computer. My truck goes through fuel faster than meth at a Crack Whores Birthday party.


Steve

 

I remember something on a previous (non-Toyota) vehicle about one or two sensors being "de-prioritized" when low on fuel. Maybe misfire and knock? Something to do with dealing with occasional bubbles of air being fed through the fuel system as the low fuel sloshed around in the tank.

 

Very strange, indeed...I have a 6 speed manual and I have sometimes thought to myself when the low fuel light has come on, "is the truck not accelerating as well?"...you can barely notice it, but then I fill it up and it seems to drive normally...very weird...maybe it is in the computer/fuel mapping...

 

I have also felt this. But thought it was all apart of my reliable Butt Dyno

 

Probably just in your head.

 

I drive a 6 speed manual, and I notice no difference in the engine with the fuel light on.

 

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Somewhat to my surprise, when the lowfuel light on my '11 comes on,there is only about 1.5 gallons remaining, or about a 30 mile safety margin.

 

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Wha ?

Pm me details

 

I'll take that one .

 

chris4x4 your help is needed in this thread