How many people have run out of gas?
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Slick Willy
New member
I ran out last week....I think a guy should be aware enough to see the gauge, but my last 3 cars (GTI, Saab 9-3, and my current Chevy 2500) all give/gave some kind of chime, or flash a message.....it made me lazy I guess.
The little LED for the 4R just didnt do it, so I got to coast about a 1/2 mile downhill, and then walk another mile to gas station.
My check engine light was on for about 4 on/off cycles after I ran out....but then cured itself.
I am the duma$$ that should have been paying attention, but a chime would be a nice touch......
The little LED for the 4R just didnt do it, so I got to coast about a 1/2 mile downhill, and then walk another mile to gas station.
My check engine light was on for about 4 on/off cycles after I ran out....but then cured itself.
I am the duma$$ that should have been paying attention, but a chime would be a nice touch......
sharp4runr
New member
I've come close. I don't think Toyota needs to add anything else. As a car owner you should be aware enough to know when you need to fill up. Plus I think there are too many audible warnings already.
I hate the beeping with VSC turns on. Does Toyota think I need to be audibley warned that my truck is skidding? I think I'd be aware of that event...
I hate the beeping with VSC turns on. Does Toyota think I need to be audibley warned that my truck is skidding? I think I'd be aware of that event...
Vortec4800
New member
I've run the computer all the way down past 0 miles left, I was sweating bullets. I think the light is a good warning, but it needs to come on sooner IMO. I'll just have to remember to fill up sooner I guess.
Are you guys serious? I hate stopping for gas. I do it as little as possible. It's a time management issue. With every car I've ever owned, I wait until I'm near empty until I fill. Never had a fuel related problem.
Hard on the fuel pump? Can't think of a reason why. A fuel pump is a dumb, simple device. 1/2 tank, 1/4 tank, 1/8 tank, it doesn't care how much you've got in your tank. Hell, it will pump water if you want it to. The only problem might be if you run it while it's dry and overheat it.
Only three reasons I can see for wanting to fill up at 1/4 or 1/2 tank - 1) your tank is full of rust or sediment, 2) it's winter and you want to avoid a gas line freeze, 3) gas is on sale.
Even with #2 most winter fuels have additives that prevent freezing (at least in Canada, they do).
Hard on the fuel pump? Can't think of a reason why. A fuel pump is a dumb, simple device. 1/2 tank, 1/4 tank, 1/8 tank, it doesn't care how much you've got in your tank. Hell, it will pump water if you want it to. The only problem might be if you run it while it's dry and overheat it.
Only three reasons I can see for wanting to fill up at 1/4 or 1/2 tank - 1) your tank is full of rust or sediment, 2) it's winter and you want to avoid a gas line freeze, 3) gas is on sale.
Even with #2 most winter fuels have additives that prevent freezing (at least in Canada, they do).
Vortex:
I drove my 4Runner with the computer showing 0 range for 20-30 miles. The reason being, it was midnight on a Sunday and every damn gas station I passed was closed. I too, was sweating bullets.
When I did fill up, it took 81 litres which means I still had up to 6 litres of fuel, good for another 50 kilometers or 30 miles.
That range computer is either very conservative or very inaccurate.
HK
I drove my 4Runner with the computer showing 0 range for 20-30 miles. The reason being, it was midnight on a Sunday and every damn gas station I passed was closed. I too, was sweating bullets.
When I did fill up, it took 81 litres which means I still had up to 6 litres of fuel, good for another 50 kilometers or 30 miles.
That range computer is either very conservative or very inaccurate.
HK
MickeyMouse
New member
BlueGP: I have to agree with you on the fuel pump thing. My Dad was a Mechanic for the local Electric Co. for 30 years and he always said it's rough on the fuel pump if you run the tank low (less than 1/4 tank).
We usually fill up once we are someplace between 1/2 and 1/4, whenever we pass the station we like to use.
I guess as far as time management goes, I don't have to fill up that often. I ride my bike to work just about everyday, so our first month of ownership only recorded a little under 1,000 miles. That included a lot of running around miles we normally don't do.
We usually fill up once we are someplace between 1/2 and 1/4, whenever we pass the station we like to use.
I guess as far as time management goes, I don't have to fill up that often. I ride my bike to work just about everyday, so our first month of ownership only recorded a little under 1,000 miles. That included a lot of running around miles we normally don't do.
sharp4runr
New member
Don't worry about filling up when you're low on gas. The computer is playing safe when you reach 0 miles. At zero miles, you still have about 2 gallons worth of gas. Trust me I know. I filled up at 1 mile and filled up to 21 gallons. The 4Runner has a 23 gallon capacity.
If you fill up too early, you are actually not getting the best gas mileage. You get the best gas mileage when you're nearing empty because your truck is lighter.
If you fill up too early, you are actually not getting the best gas mileage. You get the best gas mileage when you're nearing empty because your truck is lighter.
bluewolf
New member
skategoat said:
The modern fuel pumps located inside gas tanks are, by design, submersed in gasoline, which cools them. If you run your tank to empty, it's obviously not cooling the unit as efficiently. At 1/4 tank, you are begining to expose the pump. Although the device is not going to overheat, it makes perfect sense that it would be harder on the thing over a long period of time, since you are defeating the purpose of the design.
I fill up at 1/2 a tank. Fools my brain into thinking I'm paying less for gas. :arrow:
MickeyMouse
New member
bluewolf: LOL, you crack me up. My Wife says the same thing, she always want's to get gas at a half tank because it sounds like we are spending less. At 15mpg, this means we are at the pump a lot... I'm getting to know the Mobile guys by first name.
