Miles to empty and Fuel light

Just curious.....when the fuel light comes on, is there a typical miles to empty number? Is it like 40 miles to empty?

 

Typically there is around 2 gallons left. So yes about 40 miles if you're getting 20 mpg

 

I average 16-17 MPG and even then I've gone 20-30 miles after the DTE displays "please refuel". I do pass a handful of gas stations every day on my 5 mile commute so range anxiety isn't a big deal for me.

 

My light usually comes on when there is roughly 3 gallons left in tank. 21 gallon tank and 18 gallons to refill. Ive gone 15 miles or so after the DTE hit zero a couple times.

 

Why wait until the fuel light comes on? I was always told never let your tank get that low.

 

Yes I try not to as well. But “unforeseen circumstance” other day led me to this. & I happened to take pic.

 

So the tank on a third gen holds 21 gallons. So once it hits zero I have about 60 extra miles?

 

There are still some chronic issues with the low pressure fuel pump.

 

I get usually around 11 or 12 MPG loaded, towing our loaded off road trailer, and try to not let it get that low. However, we roam far and wide, usually to get away from populated areas, so I have have at least 4 gal extra fuel with us at all times, and most of the time its more like 9 gal, and sometimes when looking for spots, its unavoidable.

Id say you are probably not not going to have 20 miles left to go once the light comes on, but it varies with how much stuff you have/how loaded you are, or if you are towing or not.

Id say plan on 10 miles just to be safe, but again that number can vary wildly for different people.

 

I use my ScangaugeII that gives a % of fuel left. I typically use that as a better indicator of fuel left vs looking at the estimate the truck computer gives.

 

Fuel is extracted at the bottom of the tank. At an angle and down to 1 gallon the pump inlet may be dry at times and that is not good for a fuel pump.

CAN you go maybe 60 miles when miles-to-empty is 0? Yes. Should you? Even at $7.00/gallon you can buy 2 gallons to get someplace with better prices.

 

This is incorrect. Basically all vehicles nowadays put the fuel pump down in a small bucket, the fuel return line constantly feeds fuel back into it so the pump is always submerged, even when the rest of the tank is extremely low.

 

Obd apps with Toyota specific PIDs give remaining gallons (combination meter control unit PIDs). Pretty close

 

Do you want to never see that warning light again? Get into the habit of filling up at the half tank mark. It costs the same amount to keep the top half of the tank full as it does the bottom half!

 

I believe not in getting that low but it happens, I also filled at 18 gallons once. 21 gallon tank is manufactured spec but I was told there are baffles that really prevent a 21 gal fill. I would plan on no more than 2 gallons after the warning light

 

3rd gen forum tings. Where curiosity about how far a truck can go on empty turns into know-it-all's providing unsolicited wellness advice for someone else's truck. Next up is a max distance travelled on only half a tank, because anything more is bad for the truck. Anyways...

Knowing how far a vehicle can go if needed is a good thing. As others have said, just shy of 22gal or around 80 liters seems to be the consensus.

 

Right, I’ve driven within 10-15 miles left on the screen. But I’m guessing in reality it’s more like 50 or 60 miles left to empty at that point. One day I’m just going to run it empty on purpose and have a spare five gallons in the bed to find out.

 

Thanks for the tip. Something else I had never heard of before joining the forum but see some use for.

 

My truck is a 2015 and I can honestly say I have never seen my fuel light ever come on, I just don’t let it get that low ever. Filled up today and the gauge was just at the 1/4 mark. My wife’s 4Runner also, never below a 1/4.

 

Speaking of Fuel does any one have the Long Range tank, think 33gal. I’ve been day dreaming bout one of those.