Was just curious to know at what point most of you get this? I've only filled the tank twice. The first time I filled it before heading out of town, so I only filled a little over half the tank. The next time I intentionally waited until I though I was pretty close to empty (wanted to see what a full tank-up was going to cost @ $2.50/gal). Well, just about a 100 yards from the gas station, the low fuel warning came on. After reading several threads regarding gas mileage, I went digging through my wallet to reverify my own calculation. Strange, but it "only" took about 23 gal. That means this baby has an 7-gal reserve? How strange. I mean, I realize 7 gal doesn't get you very far in this baby, but that just seems odd. There aren't too many places left in the US where being 100 miles away from empty is a problem.

Just though I would see what you all have experienced...

 

I think manufacturers purposely set the low fuel light at a high reserve on purpose, to cover for those people who will ignore it until the last second. Then they will complain that they "only drove a few miles" when it "suddenly" ran out of gas!

Mine seems to come on at about 6-8 gallons left, because I've never had to put more than 25 gallons in when I fill up. I always chuckly at my wife, because she one of those people who freak as soon as the light comes on. She's always convinced that we're just about to run out of gas, even though I can show her the "miles to empty" reading on the dash readout!

 

Ha! That's a hoot. I wonder how accurate that "miles to empty" thing is, given that the MPG calculation seems to be at least a few whole numbers off. Of course, after a break-in period, it may get more accurate.

 

The low fuel warning is calibrated to come on typically when there's still 5-7 gallons in the tank. This is a buffer zone, to protect the fuel pump; the pump itself is cooled and lubricated by fuel, so running the tank very low or out of fuel may damage the pump over the long run.

 

Well now that's very interesting. I'm glad you told me that. I used to gas up once per week or less, depending on whether or not I worked from home much. That usually took me pretty close to empty, which I was fine with. Less stops is a good thing - life's too short to stand around sucking fumes. But I'll be sure and fill the new KR up at about the quarter tank mark.

Thanks!

 

Interesting fact, Quintin. Is this true for most vehicles, do you know? Just curious.

I usually fill my tank once a weekend regardless of the amount of fuel left, just so I don't have to fool with it during the week when I'm busy. Besides, with the price of gas right now, putting 30 gallons in makes me faint!

 

Mine comes on at the 50 miles left in the tank mark every time. And then when I press reset and ignore it, it comes on at 5 mile intervals until a get down to 25 miles left and then every two miles. I've gone down to as far as 7 miles left but then chickened out and filled up.

 

Industry standard is that the light comes on around 10% of the capacity of the tank. For a 25 gallon tank, that would mean you've got roughly 2.5 gallons left to consume until it starts a-sputtering. At 15 mpg, that's roughly 37.5 miles before you start running on fumes.

Again, it's a rough estimate. Nothing is exact.

-Joe

 

Dont worry, i drive mine all the time when it says 0. I think the most i have gone was about 20 miles after it said 0. Although if you step on it when the tank is low it bucks from not getting any gas.lol

 

Mine comes on when I have about 3 gal left. I try not to get that low I don't want any of the junk sitting in the bottom of the tank to get any closer to the engine than it already is. Just like i don't buy fuel if I see the tanker out front filling the stations tanks.

 

Good thinking. Never considered that.