How many miles of gas is left after the light comes on?

[steeloyangster]

I don't know if this still applies to more modern cars but if you allow the gas to always get really low before refilling, there are sediments and in-purities sitting at the bottom of the tank. By allowing the gas to get so low you have a better chance of getting that stuff stuck in your fuel filter and having to change it out. Don't know if designs have changed in modern fuel tanks so not sure if this is still applies.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by steeloyangster

I don't know if this still applies to more modern cars but if you allow the gas to always get really low before refilling, there are sediments and in-purities sitting at the bottom of the tank. By allowing the gas to get so low you have a better chance of getting that stuff stuck in your fuel filter and having to change it out. Don't know if designs have changed in modern fuel tanks so not sure if this is still applies.

doing a quick google search doesn't yield a solid answer. that's probably because each car is designed differently, and there are too many variables to account for.

think about it a different way though. does it hurt you to refill more often? for most people, no. could you prematurely wear out your fuel pump components? possibly, and it will depend on how this car's fuel system was designed.

[whateatsrabbits]

Besides sucking up impurities when the tank is low, you have to think about the fuel pump heating up. The fuel pump stays cooler when immersed in fuel. Am I going to worry about either.. NO.

[jmaryt]

this is correct! the pump does run cooler when immersed in fuel,however
the likelihood of the pump burning up is negligible,unless it is no longer pumping
any fuel.if you are on reserve with approximately 2 gallons left,i am sure the engineers have taken this into account,and made allowances with a more durable pump,because
obviously they are aware people will run the car into reserve quite often.

[Khyron686]

It's 10L - which is WAY early for a low fuel gauge (1/5 the tank!). I can get 100 km and still have 2-3L left at least. That's 60 miles. Most cars I've had the light was on with 2-3L left.

[Dake]

Originally Posted by jmaryt

this is correct! the pump does run cooler when immersed in fuel,however
the likelihood of the pump burning up is negligible,unless it is no longer pumping
any fuel.if you are on reserve with approximately 2 gallons left,i am sure the engineers have taken this into account,and made allowances with a more durable pump,because
obviously they are aware people will run the car into reserve quite often.

Yeah, I keep hearing this and can't help but wonder at its urban legend status.

I'd think it may have been the case many years ago but I've consistently driven my cars until the fuel light comes on starting with vehicles from the eighties. Our old '85 van finally got a new fuel pump in the 170k miles range. My '87 Celica never needed a new one to 200k and everything else has gone strong into the upper 100s at least (when the vehicles were replaced - not the pumps). While my experience is hardly statistically significant - it's certainly not something I worry about.

[TIMMAH!]

Originally Posted by steeloyangster

I don't know if this still applies to more modern cars but if you allow the gas to always get really low before refilling, there are sediments and in-purities sitting at the bottom of the tank. By allowing the gas to get so low you have a better chance of getting that stuff stuck in your fuel filter and having to change it out. Don't know if designs have changed in modern fuel tanks so not sure if this is still applies.

You'd think drifting would stir up plenty of impurities...

[firestorm]

2013 Scion FR-S Low fuel level warning light.Remaining fuel is (approximately 1.8 gal.)page 307 in your owner's Manuel.Same for Brz & Gt-86,2013 model.

[Gixxersixxerman]

Being a ASE auto mechanic I've changed a lot of fuel pumps.. And in the "modern" era every pump I have changed is immersed in fuel... Even if you run it dry.. The pump is installed in housing that holds fuel, like a cup.. And the sediment, theory in my opinion is myth too. All pumps have a very very fine mesh that the fuel most pass through, usually pretty long, think of a tube made of mesh and closed on each side with the pump in the middle.. Very very hard to clog.. Engineers have designed these parts to "idiot" poof them from things that happened back in the day... Think of it.. If you just designed a car that can have a 100k mile warranty then you have to have these parts last.. Not burn out because the owner runs it low on fuel, same as if you put the low octane in it won't hurt the engine, just won't perform at peak performance

[Shawnofthedead]

I went 47 miles with zero issues. than I figured hmm I should get gas just encase so 47 is the furthest I tried to push it.

[ntron1]

Originally Posted by nab335

Just as the title says anybody have an estimated ballpark figure or an exact number? I always get scared when the orange gas light comes on.

The answer to your question depends on your AVG MPG. But in general, you can go 50 miles after the light comes on. For my car, empty is somewhere below the "E" line.

[frs10]

why e85?

[Dake]

I so long for the day when the "U BURN UP UR FUEL PUMP!!!111oneone" myth dies.

Anyway, my light seems to consistently come on at the 2.5 gal remaining mark.

[Packofcrows]

sorry for bump.

Does the damn light only go up at 2 gallons left?

Mine does...or least seems it does this when I have 10-15 miles left... It should be more, no? I did this today and then pumped 13.07 gallons! My truck has like 50miles left before it dies.