don't take the chance, just fill up asap when the light goes on. running a gas tank dry is not good for the fuel pump. The fuel actually surround the pump and is what cools the pump motor, running a tank to near dry can cause the pump motor to run too hot lessening the longevity of the pump.
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Each car may behave differently as to when the light pops on and how much gas is left in the tank. On my 05 LE the low gas light comes on just under midway between the 1/4 tank mark and Empty mark. So that's probably two or three gallons or so of gas remaining. However, the very first time I noticed the light come on I was in line at a crowded gas station when the light popped on and I watched, within the space of a minute or two, the gage go from just under 1/4 tank, to the light coming on, to the needle dropping all the way to Empty. I did one of these as I watched the needle slide all the way down to Empty that quickly.
Each car may behave differently as to when the light pops on and how much gas is left in the tank. On my 05 LE the low gas light comes on just under midway between the 1/4 tank mark and Empty mark. So that's probably two or three gallons or so of gas remaining. However, the very first time I noticed the light come on I was in line at a crowded gas station when the light popped on and I watched, within the space of a minute or two, the gage go from just under 1/4 tank, to the light coming on, to the needle dropping all the way to Empty. I did one of these as I watched the needle slide all the way down to Empty that quickly.
This is scary. Was there something wrong with the sensor. How can it go from 1/4th to empty in a caouple of minutes? Did you figure out why it happened?
This is scary. Was there something wrong with the sensor. How can it go from 1/4th to empty in a caouple of minutes? Did you figure out why it happened?
Don't know why the needle dropped so fast. Its possible the sloshing around of the gasoline in the tank caused the gage to read more gas than was actually in the tank. Or perhaps the sensor in the tank has some contaminates on it causing it to give an erroneous reading. It happened in the first week after I bought the car back in 05. I haven't let the tank get below 1/4 since then, just in case. As I watched it happen I was scratching my head wondering if the gage was broke.
when the fuel indicator comes on? I have a Corolla LE 2004. Thanks
Why don't you just fill it up when the light comes on and figure it out yourself? It's not that hard.
As for me with an '06 my light comes on at the 10.5 gallons used mark. But I'll generally run another 70 miles before I fill. I'll let the needle get below the top of the "E" usually.
As pointed out in another thread, routinely running gas low enough for the fuel light to come on is bad for the fuel pump, as the gas is used for cooling, and it is very expensive to replace.
I don't let it intentionally go below 1/4 mark. But it happens sometimes so I was just trying to get some idea. I have noticed whenever the indicator is ON I can put about 10 1/2 Gal. However, what I am not very sure is if when (completely) full the gas tank has about 13.2 Gal (50L)? When the filling stops is that the right level i.e entire 13.2 Gal. in? I am sure it sounds stupid but I just want to find out if somebody knows it for sure. Thanks
As pointed out in another thread, routinely running gas low enough for the fuel light to come on is bad for the fuel pump, as the gas is used for cooling, and it is very expensive to replace.
What do you base this on? Is this specific to Toyota Corollas or is this one of those "urban myths"?
I've got a brother-in-law who works for Toyota (not a mechanic, but in parts) and he said the cars are designed to use the entire tank of gas and are not dependent on needing fuel to cool the pump. He said the only way you could really damage the pump would be to completely drain the tank, and then run the pump for 20 minutes by holding the key to the crank position.
Just curious what you are basing this "it is bad for the fuel pump" statement on.
What do you base this on? Is this specific to Toyota Corollas or is this one of those "urban myths"?
I've got a brother-in-law who works for Toyota (not a mechanic, but in parts) and he said the cars are designed to use the entire tank of gas and are not dependent on needing fuel to cool the pump. He said the only way you could really damage the pump would be to completely drain the tank, and then run the pump for 20 minutes by holding the key to the crank position.
Just curious what you are basing this "it is bad for the fuel pump" statement on.
All returnless fuel systems, such as the corolla, use the fuel to cool the fuel pump. Besides running the tank low on gas and losing the cooling ability, sediment in the tank gets sucked up into the sock and filter of the pump.
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as I watched the needle slide all the way down to Empty that quickly.
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