Low Fuel light

Maybe I have a bad case of OCD such that I always fill up my tank before reaching less than quarter empty but yesterday was the first time that I let my tank go nearly empty. The needle was right on the most lower part of the E hash mark....crazy I know right? Anyways In the many other cars I have been in the fuel light usually goes on stays on once the the tank reaches less than a 1/4 or 1/8 full. However, in my truck the light did come on but it would flash every 5 or 6 minutes. Is that normal? Wouldn't the light stay solid until the next fill up? I know this is an unusual question but I would appreciate some input.

 

Gas in the tank was probably shifting causing it to blink would be my guess. Bumpy or hilly roads?

 

Yep, what Pen said. Also, look around a bit, there's like 100 threads on the amount of gas left when the gas light goes on.

*protip* It is 3 gallons. For both first and second gen. You weren't anywhere near as close to empty as you thought Check your owners' manual and you'll have it confirmed.

 

Just happened to me. I always thought my gas light was out but i was determined to find out if this was true. First it pulsed on and off every 3 mins on a flat road but when i got home after 4 miles it was constant on.

 

mine comes on and stays on, no blinking, till I put gas in. I always have 4 gallons left in tank when light comes on.

 

Probably because yours is a 2011 and this is a first gen.

 

Pay attention to it, it'll glow somewhat even when it senses the fuel being a little low. The glow intensifies with the lower fuel amount. Sounds like you were on that "verge" of a fill up.

 

Probably because yours is a 2011 and this is a first gen.

oh yeah, sorry, didn't catch that

 

I have had 2001, 2005 and 2010 Tacomas... and while my low fuel light didn't blink, if it had just come on at the end of a drive, it may not come on again, until a short time after driving it again.

On my 2010, the light comes on when you still have 4 gallons remaining (down 17 gallons from full), +/- 0.5 gallon. The gauge needle will be on the E line with 3 gallons in the tank. At the half tank line, you are actually down just 9 gallons with 12 still in the tank.

 

3 gallons even it's on the E hash mark line? Wow did not know that. Thanks for all the input. For a moment I thought something was wrong with the fuel gauge.

 

Oh I find all sorts of ways to test my Tacoma!

The E line is indeed a point of about 3 gallons still in the tank, but the needle keeps going BELOW the E line!!! Don't run out!

Here is what I have in my truck tank (+/- 1/2 gallon):
FULL TANK: 21 gallons
F Line:...... 19 gallons
3/4 Line:... 16 gallons
1/2 Line:... 12 gallons
1/4 Line:.... 8 gallons
E Light:...... 4 gallons
E Line:....... 3 gallons

 

The owners manual says it has 15.8 gallons. Is the 21 gallon for the V6 model. I just have a 4 banger reg cab.