TheShowtime
New member
Hey I was wondering how many miles you can drive when the gas light comes on? While driving on back country roads. So not a lot of stop and go driving. I own a 01 3.4
Gas light on
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Tucson4runner
New member
Also depends if your runner had the gas gauge replaced as it may have been part of the recall. I did not own mine during the recall and it was not taken in. I can get 250 before the light comes on but I think the furthest I've gone over that is maybe 50. But when I fill the tank I find that I still had 2 or 3 gallons left.
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gamefreakgc
Elite Member
I have a 98, and my light comes on around 225 ish miles at 15-16 combined MPG's. I normally have 4+ gallons left in the tank. We have 18.5g capacity, so if you know your MPG's and reset the trip odometer each time you fill up you can figure out how far your range is. Just simple math at that point.
I can push 300 miles on one tank, but I am only confident enough to do that when it's all highway driving. I can get up to 20 MPG's highway so that means it's roughly a 360 mile range if I were to run it dry.
I can push 300 miles on one tank, but I am only confident enough to do that when it's all highway driving. I can get up to 20 MPG's highway so that means it's roughly a 360 mile range if I were to run it dry.
TheShowtime
New member
So it’s safe to say you’ll get about 50 miles after the gas light comes on. Thanks for the help guys!
19963.4lsr5
New member
I don’t like running the fuel to the light. It exposes the fuel pump and to me it can cause pump failure from heat.
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Thebeastlives
New member
Yea you will need to fill up and reset your trip odometer and then drive it until it comes on. Do it when you are on your normal driving routine because different driving conditions can have different results. This way you can get an understanding of your avg mpg for your vehicle. Don't be surprised if it changes drastically if you drive under windy conditions or up lots of mtn roads.
TheShowtime
New member
Sometimes it’s that way because I live out in the country. Not a lot of gas stations around me sadly.
brillo_76
Elite Member
So do I. However, you can mostly run by a station around 1/2 or 1/4 tank. Its up to the owner though. Changing the fuel pump is not a fun job and if in the rust belt, can be very costly.. :-( I have pulled 2 3rd gen Tanks thus far.
phattyduck
Elite Member
The gas flowing through the inside of the pump cools it off, not so much the fuel on the outside - No need to worry too much about it as long as you don't run it dry.
Filling up around 1/4 tank is good for other reasons though - like always being prepared to drive a reasonable distance without needing to get gas first (say, for an emergency).
-Charlie
brillo_76
Elite Member
It's never recommend on any vehicle out there to constantly run it down to the gas light. Granted there is some fuel there to cool the pump down. I just dont advise doing this to a 20 plus old fuel pump. However, it's a up the the rigs owner. I just dont like pressing my luck..
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ElectroBoy
Banned
There were a couple of times while driving my 3rd Gen on CA Rt 5, with long straight boring miles, when I spaced out and didn’t plan my fill ups. The fuel light comes on and I didn’t know how far the next gas station was. Keeping speed down and anxiety high I drove about 50 miles to the next station. Not a comfortable situation but after the fillup I figured I still had almost two gallons left in the tank.
JMat
New member
I've only run my '98 out of gas once in the seventeen years I've owned it and even then I could only get 17.8 gallons in it and that included the filler neck. I know Toyota says these trucks hold more than that but I've never been able to come close.
As for how far I can get when the light comes on... The farthest I've pushed it was 35 miles but I know I could've gotten a more.
Satter
New member
I just started doing this too. Ever since 1998 I would let my low fuel light stay on forever. I only refueled after I got to 280 miles. Then I watched a video by Scotty Kilmer explaining how letting the fuel tank go completely dry will ruin the fuel pump. I’m amazed my fuel pump still works after letting the fuel get so low for so long. I guess it’s just another testament to Toyota quality.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
The way the tanks are designed the pump sits in a indentation at the lowest point of the tank. That last little bit holds about 2 or so gallons and will keep the pump submerged halfway or so. As long as you've got 4ish gallons the pump is completely covered but it'll still dissipate heat down till that 2 gallon left mark. That's why you can run your tank low and not suffer from pump failure on these.
brillo_76
Elite Member
Yes Jerod is correct.
Toyota Always put their pumps in the lowest point of the tank. Mostly the rule of thumb is 2 to 2.5 gallons of gas when your gas light is on and this is across all Toyota vehicles. Being how folks mpg can very on the conditions they are in. Its best to fill up as fast as you can when that light comes on. Can you press it sure. Can you run of gas yes. Will this do damage to your pump. I would say very high chance of it. Can you luck out. Maybe. I just don't like to make myself extra work..
Satter
New member
Oh I’ve gone way past that. There were times my low fuel indicator light was on and the fuel gauge was way below E for days. When my engine would start to shut off after turning a corner I knew it was time for a fill up. Heck, there were times when I coasted into the gas stations. Ahh, the stupidity of youth. lol
