Low Fuel Light - How far can you go?

Yea, my first gen would be below the line a bit before it would come on. 2nd gen is on before the E line.

 

yes thank you since learning this I always try not to let it go beyond 1/4 tank.

 

The low fuel idiot light is just another useless feature that I never needed since I was always taught to watch gauges.

Since my 87 celica was the first new vehicle I ever saw something like that on, I'm guessing that is about the time that schools stopped teaching that when the needle approaches the E you need to fill up and people needed an idiot light to let them know

 

Chill out dude, it is just a heads up... lol

 

So when i changed my dash lights to blue i put my gas needle just a little above the point where it normally goes so when i fill up it goes past the Full Line, meaning my fuel needle will probably not go all the way down to the E before i run out of gas. Question is can i still rely on my low fuel light to tell me i still have about 20-40 miles on it because its engaged once the fuel tank gets low, or does the needle itself trigger the light to come on?

 

My scangauge shows 4 gal left nearly every time the light comes on. Therefor, if needed you could go like 40 miles somewhat safely. As said, Chris informed us that the fuel pump uses the fuel to cool itself, so it isnt good to go too empty. I've never tested it excessively, but this was the most i've let mine go:

Took the pic at the light before pulling into the gas station and took 19.5 gal at fill up.

 

New owner here - 09 Dblcab longbed with camper.
Tested 2 times same result. light comes on and I put in 18 gallons. Manual says a 21 gallon tank. Sounds similar to the other posts.
I am getting 19.5 miles per gallon
Did not know about the cooling effect thing - thanks!

 

7091 I have tried running it down.. and the most i have ever put in it was 18.5 .. but reading that i shouldnt do that i think i will stop my quest

 

Can someone explain this to me? I was under the impression that was only true with Diesel engines. My mom was always running her car out of gas and besides sitting waiting for someone to come giver her gas I never heard anyone say it was bad. Also people racing dirt-bikes that are now injected run the empty and I have seen no signs of this messing up the engine.

Thanks

 

jsut to add my .02, i knew the light was comming close to being on, so i let it idle about 5 min infront of my house, light came on, drove a block to the gas station, to top of my tank it was just a smidge over 16 gallons, so if its a 21 gallon tank, jsut like most dodges with the 5 gallon light, you got 5 gallons left to run to a gas station. ive gone about 60 miles when the light comes on doing 60mph. and made it to a station. but all and all if it lights up, fill up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I usually test it out once one every vehicle I own, just so I know. But I haven't had a chance to try it with the Taco yet, since I'm more concerned with recording my mileage right now. I've gone about 40 km (25 miles), and and I think that was cutting it too close for comfort without a jerrycan, but I wanted to wait until 5pm when the gas prices drop for the night. I think I probably could have gotten another 30-40 km or so...

 

i just know that i get at the most 20 mpg so i can do around 400 miles but that starts pushing it and i think the fuel light comes on when i have around 360ish miles so around 40 miles

 

i know I dont know a taco anymore, but in my 4runner the est range in miles you have left or whatever its called. my low fuel light doesnt come on till it says I have 23-26 miles left, but that cant be right since i'm getting 20-21 mpg everytime.

 

It is obvious from all the different answers that is it actually going to depend on a number of factors, so you can not get an accurate answer.

I get roughly 17.5mpg, I put between 17-18 gallons when the light comes on which is usually around 300 miles, which leaves about 3 gallons, I personally wouldn't drive more than 30 miles with the light on, but I always fill up before then.

 

I like lights...all sorts of lights. I like to see them work, come on, blink, BLING BLING!! I do it just to watch the light come on. Because I CAN!!!

Who needs gas anyway? I'll just drive till the pump & tank are filled with noxious fumes & throw a match on it.

 

http://tankonempty.com/viewcar/Toyota/Tacoma

 

Look in the manual at fuel capacity and the reserve amount. When the light comes on that should be when you are in your reserve. I do not have my truck right now b/c it has been in the body shop for over a month otherwise I would check. I have driven over 60 miles with mine on... I wound up putting 21.2 gal in it. I was sweating when I got to the station. That was last summer during the fuel shortage. BTW I have a 4 banger and I get 23 MPG on average.

 

I've gone 31 miles before...

 

well, my understanding is that while it may not totally kill you engine, it will and can ruin fuel pumps, injectors, carburators if its a carb enigne,etc. Think about it, all the grunge, crap and impurities, that settle at the bottom of a gas tank and then your car runs out of gas, it runs the risk of going through your injectors, fuel pump and your fuel filter. yes your fuel filter is responisble for handeling stuff like that, but if your filter gets clogged, then it renders almost usless. So in all, no it may not kill your engine, but it can lead to severe issues that could result in a visit to the stealership and them charging a pretty penny to fix it. hope that clears it up some.

 

My Scangage typically shows between 65 - 80 DTE when the light goes on, depending on my my mix of hiway and city for that tank. Only happened two or three times as I tend not to go below a 1/4 tank because . . .

The fuel/engine system isn't the only thing; the probability of a serious problem if in heavy traffic and or on the interstate is very high if todays cars run out of gas.

I did not realize how dependent the entire car system is on the engine and the computer until my wifes car run out of gas, this isn't like the old days, BC, befor computers; fortunatly it was in our neighborhood and no traffic. The entire car just shut down with no warning (well the gauge had been on empty for some time and the light was on, and we were on the way to the station a mile away, i guess that is a warning). Amd when I say shut down I mean SHUT DOWN; it was like turning off the key and pulling it out of the ignition. Now this is a Mazda and the system may be differant, but the way it was explained to me is that when the computer senses a loss of pressure in the fuel rails it acts to protect the engine and that is to SHUT EVERYTHING OFF RIGHT NOW. The car just rolled to a stop before you could do anything; It is an automatic so you had no hope from the get-go in any case - it was really scary and enlightening at the same time.