Running out of gas before gas light comes on??

[CamRunner]

So the first time the gas light had just came on and the "range" displayed I had 12 miles left. I was parked on a sloped driveway so I rolled down to get flat then it started and I drove to a gas station. Now this time I was on the highway and the gas light hadn't come on yet, and the range said 21 miles. I was chugging along and barely made it to the gas station.

I put a lift and 265/70 tires on a few months ago and I know that throws off the speedo but I wouldn't think that causes this? I couldn't find anyone else on here with this issue. Any help is appreciated...

I will definitely be filling up sooner now but I would like to fix this issue rather than work around it.

 

[Roadtripr]

The range hits 0 before you run out of gas. Mine gas light comes one with 2-3 gallons left in the tank. How much did you pump? The tank capacity is 23gallons

 

[CamRunner]

The range hits 0 before you run out of gas. Mine gas light comes one with 2-3 gallons left in the tank. How much did you pump? The tank capacity is 23gallons

Mine used to go past 0, now it doesn't. The area I had to pull into wasn't the best area and they force you to prepay so I wasn't able to fill all the way...

 

[CamRunner]

:help: Nobody has ever had this problem?? :redbrick:

 

[Yukon4Runner]

Millenials are forced to wait more than a half day before getting an answer. Why you may ask? Cuz.

 

[4OYOTER]

:help: Nobody has ever had this problem?? :redbrick:

I ran out of gas a few weeks ago. Gas light hadn't come on. I was between 1/4 and empty. Range said 21 miles. I had no idea I was low on gas until the engine all of a sudden shut off. No stumbling or rough running whatsoever. I hear it's a bad "fuel sending unit". Needless to say I won't be going below 1/4 any more and I will be resetting and watching my trip odometer. Every other Toyota I've had still had a few gallons in the tank when the gas light came on. Not so my 4th gen!

 

[m85476585]

I ran out of gas a few weeks ago. Gas light hadn't come on. I was between 1/4 and empty. Range said 21 miles. I had no idea I was low on gas until the engine all of a sudden shut off. No stumbling or rough running whatsoever. I hear it's a bad "fuel sending unit". Needless to say I won't be going below 1/4 any more and I will be resetting and watching my trip odometer. Every other Toyota I've had still had a few gallons in the tank when the gas light came on. Not so my 4th gen!

So the first time the gas light had just came on and the "range" displayed I had 12 miles left. I was parked on a sloped driveway so I rolled down to get flat then it started and I drove to a gas station. Now this time I was on the highway and the gas light hadn't come on yet, and the range said 21 miles. I was chugging along and barely made it to the gas station.

I put a lift and 265/70 tires on a few months ago and I know that throws off the speedo but I wouldn't think that causes this? I couldn't find anyone else on here with this issue. Any help is appreciated...

I will definitely be filling up sooner now but I would like to fix this issue rather than work around it.

How much gas did both of you put in when you filled up after running out of gas? If it was 20 gallons or less that means there should still be 2-3 gallons in the tank, and you shouldn't have run out. If it was more than 20 the gas light should have been on.

Check to see if your gas tank is dented?

 

[CamRunner]

I ran out of gas a few weeks ago. Gas light hadn't come on. I was between 1/4 and empty. Range said 21 miles. I had no idea I was low on gas until the engine all of a sudden shut off. No stumbling or rough running whatsoever. I hear it's a bad "fuel sending unit". Needless to say I won't be going below 1/4 any more and I will be resetting and watching my trip odometer. Every other Toyota I've had still had a few gallons in the tank when the gas light came on. Not so my 4th gen!

Thanks this helps when I search for "fuel sending unit" on the site I get some results of others that had the issue as well.

 

[4OYOTER]

How much gas did both of you put in when you filled up after running out of gas? If it was 20 gallons or less that means there should still be 2-3 gallons in the tank, and you shouldn't have run out. If it was more than 20 the gas light should have been on.

Check to see if your gas tank is dented?

AAA put in approx 2 gallons where I was stranded at. I then drove to the gas station a few miles away and pumped around 20.8 gallons.

 

[jrm]

If youre running over sided tires

the fuel calculators ability to detect how much fuel is left may be off since the number of revolutions per mile will be different from the OE tire size. Another thing to consider is that the gas tank contains baffles about a 1/3 up from the bottom that traps roughly two gallons of fuel so that if the vehicle is at a angle the pick up doesnt suck air..

Heck, i ran out of gas on I-5 in the middle of nowhere when my gauge said i had 10 miles to go before empty..

 

[CamRunner]

the fuel calculators ability to detect how much fuel is left may be off since the number of revolutions per mile will be different from the OE tire size. Another thing to consider is that the gas tank contains baffles about a 1/3 up from the bottom that traps roughly two gallons of fuel so that if the vehicle is at a angle the pick up doesnt suck air..

Heck, i ran out of gas on I-5 in the middle of nowhere when my gauge said i had 10 miles to go before empty..

I would think if it was the tires then everyone would be having the same issue considering that 99% of everyone in this site have oversized tires...

Also no dent in the gas tank I just changed my oil and nothing there

Just today I started my runner and it died shortly after starting while idling. WTF!!

 

[Roadtripr]

Fuel pump? Idle bypass clogged

 

[nos145]

I know this does not solve the issue, but I have a similar issue on my 02 Corolla, so I just reset the trip meter. If I know that on average I can go 500km on a full tank, and I am at 470 now, I just swing by a station.

As I said, not that convenient, but better than calling CAA every few weeks.

 

[4RunnerFundi]

It is the Sending Unit and it is common for this to happen. I have to ritually set my odo-A to zero before pumping gas and pay attention and never let it go over 350 miles to be safe. Or drop the tank and replace the sending unit...

 

[Jussstin]

I would replace the sending unit

 

[jonesmw10]

As you said, filling it up sooner is probably the easiest fix. Seems a bit risky (especially in the winter) be driving with such a low amount of gas