How far can you go after the low fuel light comes on ?

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  #16  
Old 09-13-1999, 09:44 PM
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I usually go about 20 to 30 miles after I pass a fuel station and the light comes on. I have the 30 gallon tank (I hope), because I have put in 24.994 gallons in my tank before, and always put between 23 and 24 gallons in and the light just comes on. I also get average 17 mpg, city and highway.

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stock 98 XL, Reg. cab,4.6, Auto, Tow package, 255/70R16 on styled steel wheels,3.55LS, Black with chrome grille and bumpers! MODS: custom stereo by me, building speaker box was a !@#$%. K&N air filter w/ airbox mod.

 
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Old 09-13-1999, 10:44 PM
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manx:

It's right by the "fuel door open light".

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Ben Mc.----'99 XLT 5.4 SC SB ORP Dk. Red/Dk. Grey----Fact. Cab Steps/Tonneau/Slider----Straight Duals, Superchip, Airaid/KN (non-sag), Ungo Autostart/Keyless Remote, Prime Designs Air/Bug Deflector, Weathertech Wind/Rain Deflecters----PPI 4240 Amp,McIntosh 6x9's w/crossovers front, Polk DB 5.25's rear---Tuessssdayyyy Affffternoooooon----gotta love it!

 
  #18  
Old 09-13-1999, 11:27 PM
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HI!... 54REGCAB, $70.00(U.S) is about $100.00(CAN) at the current exchange of $0.50 on the dollar.

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NEAL [ the horsepower freak ] NEWMAN
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, **** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, AUTOMETER guage pod and tranny temp guage, custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, SUPERCHIP (truck won't start,"DAM"!


 
  #19  
Old 09-13-1999, 11:31 PM
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Angry

Damn $50.00 US to fill up.
And I thought I was paying through the nose for gas.
 
  #20  
Old 09-13-1999, 11:31 PM
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HI!... F-150-GUY, Yup it's the same place. I live in SOUTHWINDSOR about a 1/4 mile away from 3B.(the local "STREET" dragstrip)

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NEAL [ the horsepower freak ] NEWMAN
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, **** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, AUTOMETER guage pod and tranny temp guage, custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, SUPERCHIP (truck won't start,"DAM"!


 
  #21  
Old 09-14-1999, 01:13 PM
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Neal, neat! My parents now live near St. Clair College (where I went way back in 1982-84), I go there every few months, the only F150 in the senior's parking lot (go figure)!

Never buy gas with my loonies or twonies, I fill up 10 miles from the border on my way there! Do I look crazy?

 
  #22  
Old 09-14-1999, 01:49 PM
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Ugg, I think I drove too much last month. I got my Chevron bill in the mail, $150. This is one vehcile for one person for one month. But this is also Califnoria where gas runs $1.70 a gallon for 89. It costs me about $35 to fill my tank, but I always fill it with about 5 gallons still in the tank (don't like to drive on fumes).


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1999 Lariat SuperCab Flareside, Amazon Green with Silver trim, 5.4L, 4x2, 4 wheel disc/ABS, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, fog lamps, sliding rear window, captains chairs, keyless entry with alarm, spray-on bed liner, bug guard, and K&N. http://www.csc.calpoly.edu/~bfriesen/truck.html

 
  #23  
Old 10-09-1999, 04:45 PM
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Angry

When not hauling 5th whl. light comes on at about 525 to 560 klicks. current cost to fill at that time abt. $ 50 cdn.
When hauling trailer abt 300 klicks.
Have gone 50 klicks with light on - running on fumes.
klicks = Kilometers ( abt 5/8 mi, for US friends), but remember, we have a larger Gal. up here in the frozen wilds !!!!!
Try converting Kilo's to miles, Liters to gals. - US & Can. - then give up and say
Well they ARE nice to drive.

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98 F150 S/C Vermillion/Silver Boards, Vents, Bug Chaser, DIY "breezer" Tailgate, 5th whl hitch, Tool box, 16" OEM Mag's
 
  #24  
Old 10-09-1999, 05:30 PM
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On my very first tank-full, I filled it as soon as I noticed the "low fuel" warning light. I still had 9 US gallons remaining! (Only put 29 gal in 38 gal tank.)
Now I don't rush to fill it as I estimate 80-100 miles depending on load before Empty.
 
  #25  
Old 01-15-2000, 07:21 AM
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Just a reminder. The needle (fuel) indicator in the instrument panel is not necessarily linear. When pointing at the middle mark, it may be less than half a tank left. And how far can you go after having the light come up will depend on the size of the tank (25 or 30gals.), position and adjustment of the level sensor and riding habits of course.

So, that's why the best way to check that out is knowing your truck more and more day after day by writing all the information you can regarding tank fill up's and mileage.

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98 4x4 Lariat SC 5.4L ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 LS in oxford white two tone. Only modifications, K&N Filtercharger and Stepshield door still protectors. Many more to come.
 
  #26  
Old 01-15-2000, 09:54 AM
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Back in June, I went 78 miles after hitting the "Low Fuel" light. Mine comes on with about 8 gallons left and it took 26 gallons to fill up (30 gallon tank).

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'98 F150 XL Regular Cab, LWB, 4.2L V6, 5 Spd, 3.55 LS, Rhino Lining, factory heavy duty suspension, 3" Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter, Oxford White minus the two tone garbage. BIG TIME FoMoCo p/u fan, not some fair weather hammerhead.

 
  #27  
Old 01-15-2000, 11:48 AM
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Hi,

I have filled up twice until you could actually see the fuel (94 liters,24.8 gallons).I believe the light had just come on.
My question is: Is this dangerous filling up till you actually see the fuel.


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The Bright Red One


anadjako@wxs.nl


 
  #28  
Old 01-16-2000, 09:08 AM
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On some other thread someone had speculated that our Low Fuel lights come on early (about 5 gallons left in the tank) to keep the fuel pump cool. Apparently, the electric fuel pump is on the bottom of the tank.

My bet is that an occasional dip into this 'reserve' could get you an extra 50-100 miles, but doing this every tank could result in a shorter life for your fuel pump (see Tina's post above). Also, running your tank really low can shorten your fuel filter life as sediments will get sucked into the line.

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1999 XLT S/C, 4.2 V-6, auto, 3.55 rear, dark torreador red/harvest gold, bed liner, Sony 10 disc CD, Edelbrock IAS, K&N filter, soon to Superchip


[This message has been edited by dirt bike dave (edited 01-16-2000).]
 
  #29  
Old 01-16-2000, 09:47 AM
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This wasn't a regular practice on my part, I was trying out a Superchip and was trying to get as much of the regular 87 octane gasoline out as possible without actually running empty. I usually fill up when I get to 1/4 tank. As far as filling until you can see the fuel, I don't think it's dangerous, but you're only getting 0.5 liter, or less, extra fuel.

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'98 F150 XL Regular Cab, LWB, 4.2L V6, 5 Spd, 3.55 LS, Rhino Lining, factory heavy duty suspension, 3" Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter, Oxford White minus the two tone garbage. BIG TIME FoMoCo p/u fan, not some fair weather hammerhead.


 
  #30  
Old 01-28-2000, 11:19 AM
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There is a diagnostic mode that can be entered in the odometer of 97 - 99 vehicles(I got this from another section at f150online, but I don't remember which.) There is also a website explaining the different modes: http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/news/99hec.htm

From what is measured by the electronics on the tank... well here is what the site says:

255 open send +/- 0
232 full stop +/- 0
215 Full mark +/- 10
178 3/4 mark +/- 8
138 1/2 mark +/- 7
93 1/4 mark +/- 5
41 E mark +/- 4
54 Low Fuel (0-59)
0-18 short (0-20 max)

A full tank registers 254, an (absolute) empty 20. For a 25 gal. tank, this is (254 - 20) / 25 = 8.56 ticks/gal. The low fuel light comes on when there are (59 - 20) / 8.56 = 4.6 gallons left.

** Unfortunately the digital level is only meant as a translation for the analog guage. It stops at 232 and doesn't register when the tank is 'more' than full. It would be interesting to figure out exactly how much fuel is between the exact point where the tank registers full and when the light comes on. Just leave the digital fuel level on the odometer guage and fill up the tank and check back and forth. I'll bet the level doesn't compensate for the fact that the tank doesn't have straight walls, so this just might be a worthless endeavor.

Of course I agree that the pump will burn out without enough fuel to cool it off (as I've done twice with my Oldsmobile.)

'99 F150 Lariat ORP 4x4, 5.4, 3.73 LS, class III, over 6500# payload capacity.

[This message has been edited by michael_hovis (edited 02-01-2000).]
 


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