Fuel Warning Light --> 'E'

[Forest8]

Greetings!

After my first 3 tanks, I would fill up almost immediately after the fuel warning light would come on. So, on tank #4, I decided to take the advice/observations of many on the various TCH forums (here, greenhybrid, etc.) and take it down from the warning light coming on to 'E' and my cruising range to '0' and then see how much fuel it would take (many have posted that when the light goes on there's still about an 1/8th of a tank of fuel remaining)...

I found that I could travel up to 40+ more km between the warning light and the needle nudging 'E' [total distance travelled for tank = 1000.5km (621.7 miles) @ 5.1L/100km (46.1mpg)]. The temperature in Alberta has finally caught up to spring/summer, and my route in from the foothills into Calgary remains unchanged.

What was most interesting was that during fill up, the nozzle clicked at 52L, which meant I still had about 13L left in the tank (theoretically) and could have maybe pushed another 50-100km (though I wouldn't - psychologically daunting to see the needle at 'E') - anyway, just some observations, and thanks to those who have already posted about the tank limits...

[Mr. Toyota]

Even after driving around for two days with the "E" light glowing and the needle firmly on "E", the most I've put in at fill up is about 15.5 gallons. Toyota really doesn't want to have you run it dry I guess...of course, neither do I

[Tideland Prius]

The Low Fuel Light comes on when there's about 10 litres left for Toyota vehicles so it's kinda funny that you still had 13 litre left (supposedly)

[CamBOT]

I drive a 2008 prius for work.

When the light comes on I have about 10 L in the tank?

What would happen if i ran outta gas? Would I run on batteries until they deplete?

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by CamBOT

I drive a 2008 prius for work.

When the light comes on I have about 10 L in the tank?

What would happen if i ran outta gas? Would I run on batteries until they deplete?

Except the Prius lol. That's because we have a rubber bladder inside the fuel tank which makes it more variable. We could even have 15 litres in the tank but if the computer thinks there's 10, the light will come on. With the Prius, I wouldn't use the "10 litre" calculation.

The computer will shut the vehicle down if you're out of gas and you'll be coasting in N without power steering or power brakes. You may "trick" the computer but shutting off and restarting and running on battery only but I highly recommend against it since you're putting unnecessary stress on the battery.

[Forest8]

10L only? Interesting... Like I wrote: 52L has been the MOST I have put into the tank over the 4 fill ups (the 2nd most was 51L - warning light on for about 20km before fill up - or about 1/2 way to 'E', and the other 2 fill ups were about 42L when the light initially came on). That's why I tried to 'push it' to see how far it would go...Perhaps the '09s have a larger reserve???

[Tideland Prius]

well with a 2000 RAV4 and a 2002 Camry, both had 10L left when we refuelled. My friend got 45 litres in (55L tank) and the Camry ~60 litres (70L tank).

The TCH I think has a slightly smaller tank at 65 litres so your 52 isn't too far off. Maybe they've increased it to 15 litres reserve?? who knows.