fuel guage vs trip computer vs reserve

[PCH4R]

Decided to see how close I could drain the tank/check accuracy of the gauge / "cruising range" readout.

I had the gauge exactly on the empty bar/line, and the cruising range down to 1 mile.

Filled up.. and is was 19.4 gallons.

Safe to assume that the extra 3 gallons will never "read" on the gauge nor be factored into the "dry tank empty / cruising range" calculation?

Do you get any additional indicator that you are on the reserve? I had the standard "yellow light" fill up with probably 25 miles on the "range" readout.

Not trying to burn my fuel pump or get air in the lines, just want to understand drop dead emergency vs. what gauge/vehicle is telling me.

 

[3wbdriver]

My light seems to pretty consistently come on with around 30 miles left on the range indicator and 3 gallons left in the tank. So I usually watch the miles left as an indicator of when to fill up. I don't let it get below 1/4 full when I'm home, but I do drive long trips to work so I stretch what I can out of a tank when driving to or from a rig.

 

[Bilbo]

About 3 gallons seems right. There was a discussion of this issue a few weeks ago, here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/180374-2014-low-fuel-light-questions.html

 

[Jeff614]

3 gallons or so seems about the norm. I know it's not good for all sorts of reasons but around here Giant (local grocery chain) has a gas point program. Lots of times I get gas for well under $2/gal. Can only get 35 gallons per fill-up with the points but between the 4Runner run low and some 5 gallon cans, I can almost get 2 full tanks outta my one trip to the gas station.

Just a thought for all you Nova'ers if you shop at Giant.

- Jeff

 

[Land_Shark]

3 gallons or so seems about the norm. I know it's not good for all sorts of reasons but around here Giant (local grocery chain) has a gas point program. Lots of times I get gas for well under $2/gal. Can only get 35 gallons per fill-up with the points but between the 4Runner run low and some 5 gallon cans, I can almost get 2 full tanks outta my one trip to the gas station.

Just a thought for all you Nova'ers if you shop at Giant.

- Jeff

I've been doing this for a while - never thought to grab the 5-gallon jugs though, good idea.

 

[Stifler]

never understood why someone would intentionally try to see if they could run out of gas.

 

[NoDak]

don't worry stif, that would never work up here, once you get to about 1/4 tank, you should be getting gas.

with our temps, its safe to keep at least 1/4 or as the warden likes to freak out at 1/2 tank during the winter.

never know when you will get stuck for an extended amount of time w/o help. staying with the vehicle and keeping warm is your only lifeline.

see too many out of state people the last few years (oil boom) that come up and get stranded and try to walk and end up freezing to death or getting lost.

before the oil boom, once in a blue moon some old person would try it and get lost/freeze.

also it helps to keep that much gas in the tank in case there is some water in the tank and it doesn't freeze or get sucked up into the fuel lines and freeze up your lines.

heet helps but it doesn't work 100% of the time.

 

[Jeff614]

I've been doing this for a while - never thought to grab the 5-gallon jugs though, good idea.

Usually strap them to my cute little Walmart hitch tray. Looks a little redneck out in here g-ville pouring gas in the tank from containers but I think I've gotten that moniker between the 5' cb whips and all the working on my vehicles lol.

They used to let you take 2 vehicles up to the Giant stations; fill one up, pull forward, fill next one. Seem to have put the kibosh on that one as of late though. Cans still fine. Not sure about the shell stations though.


- Jeff

 

[Lester Lugnut]

On I don't know how many cars forums, I've seen comments that indicate approx. 2 gals of gas remains in the tank with the gauge is on E and I mean way down low on E.

An empty gas tank is a bomb - fumes.

I agree with the post above. Why would anyone toy with seeing how close they could get to being out of gas? I can just picture a tandem axle truck pulling a 53 ft. trailer, right on your tail as the engine breathes in its last gasp of air/fuel mixture.

 

[adam2562]

if i fill up when my gas light turns on then i usually have 4-5gallons left.. if i wait till the mileage indicator says 0 and drive maybe another 20miles.. i fill up with about 3 gallons left.... i must say tho, my gas tank is pretty beat up from trail riding eventually i'll replace it after i get new beefier skids