No fuel low light ?
- Thread starter 4RNNR
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Offroad Me
New member
There is definitely a low fuel light. The 4th gen has a 23 gallon tank. But I believe the light comes on when you've burned around 19 gallons so you were probably real close.
Hopefully, bad bulb. Super easy to change. Owner's manual will show exact location and you can pull the cluster and swap a good bulb in. Make sure you have the replacement before hand.
chayos00
New member
Mine will pop on when my center panel will say I have somewhere around 40 miles left or so. You can definelty get the fuel gauge to read below the E line, I've put 22-23 gallons in several times.
charlier180
New member
The Low Fuel light in my 4Runner tends to come on when I have used 20 gallons of fuel.
Last night the light came on during my evening commute.
The dash display showed I had 17 miles left. I put 20.9 gallons of fuel in the tank.
Last night the light came on during my evening commute.
The dash display showed I had 17 miles left. I put 20.9 gallons of fuel in the tank.
It is not so much a mind of their own, but more a difference in calculation.
1. Low Gas fuel light is controlled by a sensor in the tank. With sloshing and vehicle angle, etc.. it can take a bit to get down.
2. MPG and Miles Left are a running estimate your computer figures based on the running average of your MPG and fuel tank position sensor.
That your fuel gauge comes on at "different" times is more a product of the inherent variations in the variables used by the computer to determine it.
Driving a full tank on the highway, where you get better MPG, your computer will likely show a "longer" range when the light comes on. The physical amount of gas in the tank will roughly be the same, but because the computer has moved your average MPG up by driving on the highway, you will see a "larger" number.
Conversely. Doing a ton of start, stop, heavy acceleration, which will shoot your MPG down; you will likely see a much shorter time left when the light comes on.
All this to say, they are measuring TWO different things and trying to come up with the same information. Of course there will be differences.
1. Low Gas fuel light is controlled by a sensor in the tank. With sloshing and vehicle angle, etc.. it can take a bit to get down.
2. MPG and Miles Left are a running estimate your computer figures based on the running average of your MPG and fuel tank position sensor.
That your fuel gauge comes on at "different" times is more a product of the inherent variations in the variables used by the computer to determine it.
Driving a full tank on the highway, where you get better MPG, your computer will likely show a "longer" range when the light comes on. The physical amount of gas in the tank will roughly be the same, but because the computer has moved your average MPG up by driving on the highway, you will see a "larger" number.
Conversely. Doing a ton of start, stop, heavy acceleration, which will shoot your MPG down; you will likely see a much shorter time left when the light comes on.
All this to say, they are measuring TWO different things and trying to come up with the same information. Of course there will be differences.
empty403
New member
Fill up a 2 or 5 Gallon gas can and drive until your range until it dies. At least you'll have gas and you'll find out if your light works or not.
Coldnapalm
New member
mine came on when i had 18 miles to go according to my mpg reader
KB084RUNNER
New member
Forget the light...just let Kramer take it for a spin...
Kramer test drives car on Seinfeld - YouTube
Kramer test drives car on Seinfeld - YouTube
Desert Fox
New member
Dont ya just hate logic:lmao:
I hope I never find out if mine works or not. I fill up before it gets to 1/4 tank. It does not cost any more and I really dont want to be on the side of the road because I ran out of gas. That would suck if it happened when we have 6 inches of snow on the ground.
Kmvreter
New member
Checked it out and the light doesn't come on during starting.
You'll have to test it by running real low on fuel as others have suggested.
804Hokie
New member
Mine used to come on with around 3-4gals remaining. I usually get about 400mi/fill-up. However, a couple of weekends ago while driving up a hill, my '08 seemingly ran out of gas. The "range left" had roughly 20mi and the low fuel light didn't come on. Fortunately, this happened in my neighborhood so my brother ran a can out to me, and I filled it up shortly afterwards.
I wonder, is there a fuse that needs replacing? Or is there a sensor that will need replacing?
Thank you
I wonder, is there a fuse that needs replacing? Or is there a sensor that will need replacing?
Thank you
chayos00
New member
I'd be willing to bet if you were that low maybe the hill caused the fuel to move away from the pump intake and just sucked up air. Not sure about the fuse or anything else to check. Maybe run it low again, but carry some spare gas in case you run out. I've gotten my needle below the E line and haven't run out yet.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk
804Hokie
New member
I have seen it dip below the Empty mark, too, while still running. This time, it seemed like the needle was still above E from my recollection. Do they still make and sell that gasoline product that is designed to be carried around in your vehicle for long periods of time but safely? I can't remember its brand or specific name, but it was like $20 for a full container (1-2 gallons).
Edit: the product I was thinking of is called "Magic Tank"
Last edited:
Arthur4R
New member
I drove my car to 25 miles left on the range and the fuel light never turned out. Reading some previous posts and people are getting it from like 18-40 miles left. During on position without starting the vehicle the light does not turn on. Some insights from people would be awesome. My work vehicle turns the low fuel 60 mile range mark.
