How early does your gas light come on?

I average 20.25 mpgs in my truck. 21.1 gal tank that means approximately 427 miles per tank. So I would safely expect to be able to drive around 400 miles in my truck before NEEDING a fill up. At least, this is what I do in my Ford. That light comes on when I have about 2 gallons left. In that thing it means I better get my behind to a gas station. Which is fine because I reset my odometer every gas trip and clock my miles till the next fill up, so I rarely ever allow the light to come on.

I have a 2013 Sport DCLB. Today I looked down at my dash around 355 miles and my light was on. I don't know how long it has been on but probably not more than a few miles. When I tanked up I only put in 17 gallons. So I am guessing I had about 4 gallons left in the tank before the light.

You have to get used to each vehicle, so I'm not complaining, just wondering if everyone's light comes on this early?

 

same here.

 

Based on the average of two fills done right when the light came on mine turns on when down 18.25 gallons from full. The most I've ever put in is 19.73 gallons. Hope not to get emptier than that again! 2015 DCSB.

 

Not accounting for driving habits or aftermarket accessories, I think the light gives you about 50 miles to get to a station. My wife's Ford Escape is the same way.

 

I didn't even know there is a low fuel light on these trucks.

 

Mine's the same as well .... However,

I rarely let my Gas get that low. The Pump in the tank, as I understand, uses the Gasoline to maintain temperature of the Pump. Running or keeping little fuel in the tank would not be good for the pump. Also, Should any foreign matter that floats get in the tank - letting the gas get to the bottom of the tank will allow the pump suction line to attract the foreign matter. (I had a friend that had low fuel engine cutout - finally dropped the tank and found a plastic bag in the tank that blocked the fuel suction line at low fuel levels.)

 

How did he get a plastic bag in his fuel tank in the first place?

 

This.


PS I'm ordering a fuel cap lock on Amazon right now.

 

On all three of my 2nd gen's, the light would come on at almost exactly 280 miles. Every time.

 

This thread has a lot of people's estimates for gallons left when light comes on as well:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gas-tank-completely-empty-when-at-the-e-line.104832/

You have to filter through a number of butt hurt posts as the thread goes on but looks like light on filling to 17 to 17.5 is typical. Appears my light turns on a bit later than most people's.

 

No mathematician here, but when my gauge has been on the empty line I've still only put in no more than 19 gal and I know I have a 21 gal tank. Occasionally I like to drive around with the light on, and even let it get to the line, when my girlfriend is in the truck because I know I won't run out of gas, but it drives her crazy.

 

Urban legend.

Pump is at top of tank, it is COOLED by gas passing thru it, not by being submerged in fuel.

 

This shit is entertaining on a slow day at work.

 

Just filled up with the light on yesterday. Came on while leaving work. Drove across town and got gas on the way back. 17.8 gallons is what it took until the gas nozzle shutoff.

 

I usually fill up with about 17.0-17.5 gallons when the light is on. The ODO shows anywhere from 240-278 miles. Which my ODO is off because of the bigger tires. I've run it down to where it's touching the E and still only put about 19 or so gallons in it.

 

Myth

 

No Myth Keeping the pump submerged also ensure that oxygen is kept from the pump in case of an electrical issue. There are many ref to this in the net. A Couple quick finds below - but I can find many more including printed material.


" and immersing the pump in fuel helps lubricate and cool the pump motor. Driving with the fuel tank less than 1/4 full can shorten pump life by causing it to run hot. It also increases the risk of momentarily starving the pump for fuel when cornering sharply, braking or accelerating. Running out of gas can sometimes damage an electric fuel pump by starving it for cooling and lubrication."

http://www.aa1car.com/library/fuel_pump.htm

Warranty issues always subtract from a store’s bottom line. If you have a customer who appears to have more than his share of fuel pump failures, it’s a good bet that he’s running his fuel tank nearly dry before refueling his vehicle - See more at: http://www.knowyourparts.com/technical-articles/fuel-pump-add-ons/#sthash.yqkfh6Ru.dpuf "

http://www.knowyourparts.com/technical-articles/fuel-pump-add-ons/

"
Why Did My Fuel Pump Fail?
Just how do fuel pumps fail, anyway? One of the most common culprits is heat. Remember in the previous paragraph where we noted that the pump uses gasoline to stay cool while driving? In practical terms, this means that once fuel drops below a certain point in the tank, there is not as much gasoline available to circulate around the pump and keep temperatures low. Frequent driving with an almost empty tank can often lead to premature fuel pump failure.



http://www.tacomahq.com/643/toyota-tacoma-fuel-pump-replacement-failure/

 

A friend I new had problems with the engine cutting out - only at low fuel, uphill and turning right. Many hours was spent on this until a pulled the tank and checked the fuel pump AND looked into the tank. A Plastic baggie was removed and problem solved.

Actual Cause unknown - but since it did not do this when he bought the car he assumed if was done well after his purchase. The only thought was that someone had a bag of Pot and needed to get rid of it (police check ?) and that was the best closest place.

 

Mine has come on twice in 60k and I had almost 4 gallons left both times.

 

Per my ScanGuage it always comes on when I have approximately 3-3.5gallons of fuel left in the tank. Approximately enough to go 5-60
Miles.