Low fuel warning light

[Dgc333]

FWIW, my first new vehicle with a low fuel warning light was a 1985 Dodge Daytona Turbo. Every new car since has had one.

In my 50 years of driving I have run out of fuel maybe 5 times and it is always been with a vehicle that did not have a low fuel warning light. I think it is a very positive and useful feature.

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[kipkohl]

I try to fill up just below the half tank mark…it costs to much to fill the tank if I wait much more.

Given the current geopolitical situation and the possibility of an infrastructure disrupting cyber attack, I think it makes sense to keep the tank at least 1/2 full at all times.

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

That is what I do because those warnings are annoying. Yes yes I know I have 50 miles left to empty..calm down.

I have replaced more Ford fuel pumps than others. As I am a weekend wrencher that is a super scientific measurement...... ... ... But - I wonder if they started using the warnings to keep people from constantly running low on gas and overheating the pump vs. installing a pump that can deal with lower fuel amounts better. As I suspect that is why the pumps I have replaced or help replace died early. Especially the older mustang two stage/speed/whatever pump.

My wife has proven that GMs can handle being run at 1/8 of a tank CONSTANTLY. I don't even know how she manages that. Only putting a few dollars in at a time? Dunno.

I think they have the warning pop up early so we have time to mentally prepare for the insane cost of filling up these days.

 

[mailbox4449]

I try to fill up just below the half tank mark…it costs to much to fill the tank if I wait much more.

While I'm guilty of doing this myself it is in "FACT" better for "MPG" to fill up when your vehicle is almost empty....reason being you are using less fuel to haul less weight as the tank gets lighter. That being said, I'm used to going to fuel up on a specific schedule and location (or two depending on price)... just a creature of habit.

Yes, it may cost the same (plus or minus) but "mentally" I feel better when filling up only about half a tank.

I guess remembering those long @$$ gas lines in the 70's got me keeping my tank filled

 

[Jason B]

I've found that my Ranger follows the same pattern as my last three vehicles - better mpg out of the first half of the tank than the 2nd. Don't know why it is true, but it is. A difference of about 1-1.5 mpg using the Fuelio app (and with my VW, saw it in the Fuelio app and the dash mpg report - they always matched each other).

It's because the fuel gauge is not linear. It MAY accurately depict full or 1/4 tank, but in between it could be anything. So, when it reads half, it's probably not at half. Also, the shape of the tank has a lot to do with it. The bottom half of the tank may hold more fuel that the top half. The gauge measures the level of the fuel, not actually the amount of fuel in gallons.

 

[Zvedza]

Just be happy usually when that kicks on you usually have more range than it says you do.
My bike does the opposite, 4.5 gal tank and the one gal left warning light comes on at 2.5 gallons used.

 

[THLONE]

If a little red light "annoys you" and you complain about it then what are you going to do when the voice comes on the screen and says DS you are now at 1/8th and you still have a week till your appointment to get fuel.

 

[got3fords]

I kinda like the 50 miles remaining warning. That's not even a complete round trip to work, so I have plenty of time to get to where I want to fill up, not where I have to fill up.

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