Gas Tank Warning Light
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4Runnin_ToyBoy
New member
Does anyone have access to wiring diagrams for creating a chime of some sort. I've been spoiled by past vehicles (VW) which chime when the low fuel indication illuminates and also chimes every time you start the vehicle with low fuel.
My assumption is to rig something up off the circuitry to the low fuel light, but I thought I would get some opinions on the effort.
My assumption is to rig something up off the circuitry to the low fuel light, but I thought I would get some opinions on the effort.
sharp4runr
New member
Yup, definitely about 3 gallons when trip meter is at 0.
slimjim
New member
damn it! they should tell you that you have 3 gallons left when the light turns yellow. Or atleast give you a sensor that is correct to how many miles you can still drive.
i'm the idiot that freaks out and finds the nearest gas station, praying that i don't stall along the way.
it would look pretty damn dumb to run out of gas when your car tells you specifically how many more miles you can drive.
i'm the idiot that freaks out and finds the nearest gas station, praying that i don't stall along the way.
it would look pretty damn dumb to run out of gas when your car tells you specifically how many more miles you can drive.
One thing to remember, however. No matter how much gas is left in the tank (as calculated by how many gallons it takes to refill), the crucial question is how much of that remaining gasoline in the tank can be picked up and used by the vehicle... and conversely how much will still be left sitting in the bottom of the tank once the system can't pick up anymore gasoline and runs dry. It may be, depending on the vehicle, that up to a gallon or more of gas could remain at the bottom of the tank unused and unusable. Don't ask me how I know this, but let's just say I am very experienced 
Various vehicles are more or less efficient at using whatever gas is left in the tank. So unless you want to walk to the next gas station in some remote corner of Montana, it is far more important to know not how many gallons are left, but how many usable gallons are left once the low-fuel light comes on!
Various vehicles are more or less efficient at using whatever gas is left in the tank. So unless you want to walk to the next gas station in some remote corner of Montana, it is far more important to know not how many gallons are left, but how many usable gallons are left once the low-fuel light comes on!
boston_kevin
New member
This has been discussed many times, but the reason why they do this is because the fuel pump is in the gas tank. You need a minimum amount of gasoline to keep the pump cool and working properly. If you drain the tank to nearly nothing you can (and if done repeatedly - you will) do permanent damage to the fuel pump which would result in a very costly repair. There is no benefit to running the tank below the 3 gallon reserve except delaying a trip to the gas station (and then you have to ask yourself exactly what you think you are saving).
live4thrillz
New member
I ran it down to "8" miles left (computer) the other day and was kind of freaking out because I was on the highway and didn't know the area. When I filled to the top it took ~20 gallons. I've run it down to 10-15 miles left and the tank took ~19-20 gal. I think the points about the gas pickup and pump cooling may have some validity.
However, here is my thinking: Couldn't they shape the tank in such a way that the pump could get most of the gas out and still not pickup sediment? (I've never looked inside a tank but have heard they can get some junk in there, which could cause the filter to need to be changed prematurely.) In addition, this could help keep the pump cool. Do you think just having gas run through the pump would keep it cool enough or does it need to be submerged? I know most liquids will have a greater heat transfer coefficient than air, but I wonder if it is required...
Obviously this shouldn't be done regularly, but I'm curious as to what damage can be done if in an emergency you almost drove until empty.
However, here is my thinking: Couldn't they shape the tank in such a way that the pump could get most of the gas out and still not pickup sediment? (I've never looked inside a tank but have heard they can get some junk in there, which could cause the filter to need to be changed prematurely.) In addition, this could help keep the pump cool. Do you think just having gas run through the pump would keep it cool enough or does it need to be submerged? I know most liquids will have a greater heat transfer coefficient than air, but I wonder if it is required...
Obviously this shouldn't be done regularly, but I'm curious as to what damage can be done if in an emergency you almost drove until empty.
