Fuel Warning Light

[skugelstadt]

Howdy, Does anyone know how many miles/gallons are left when the fuel low level warning light comes on for a 03 Matrix? I looked in the owners manual but did not find this information. Thanks for all input. Stuart

[xrs22]

I don't think it would say in the owners manual for something like that. I wouldn't recommend testing it out either. I do remember seeing it posted on another site though.

[ksbrace]

I have an 04 XR 2WD. I think it is safe to say you have at least a gallon when you hit 1/16th (1/4 of the way up the lowest bar), which is where the warning light comes on for me, because I drove 35 miles one time from that point.

Because fill-ups are so inconsistent (depending on pump speed, car angle, temperature, etc), you can't reliably calculate how much was left in the tank even if you know the tank size and how much it took to fill it. Someone would have to run out after noting their odometer reading at E or when the warning light came on. Anyone?

[coquelicot]

When my light comes on, I know that I'm good for at least another gallon, maybe even 2. Given the fact that I usually get 32-34 MPG, I figure that I can go at least another 30 miles. I try not to push my luck any more than that. Around here, there's never that much distance between two gas stations.

[mistamatrix]

Ok. I'm the master of "running on fumes". I've proven (to myself) that there's plenty of gas when the warning light comes on and even still a good amount when the needle hits E.
Now, pardon my metric usage (I'm too lazy to do the conversions)...all except the 4WD have 50L capacities. 4WD has 45L. The warning light turns on at 40L. When the light comes on, I can do another 100km before I get scared and call it quits and fill up. I've let the needle dip waaaay below E numerous times and I think I've mentioned this often too...I'm pretty sure when the needle points directly at the warning light, you're bone dry.

[trdbryan]

Easyest way to check how much is left it to fill up shortly after the fuel light comes on, and then subtract the amount of fuel you put in from the size of the tank 50L. I would recomend trying it a couple of times to make sure it's some what accurate. Also keep in mind that the fuel pick up is above the bottom of the tank so if you drove it out of fuel you would probably still have 2 - 3L still left in the tank.

[ksbrace]

Originally Posted by trdbryan

Easyest way to check how much is left it to fill up shortly after the fuel light comes on, and then subtract the amount of fuel you put in from the size of the tank 50L. I would recomend trying it a couple of times to make sure it's some what accurate. Also keep in mind that the fuel pick up is above the bottom of the tank so if you drove it out of fuel you would probably still have 2 - 3L still left in the tank.

This formula leaves a lot of uncertainty. How full the tank gets before the pump shuts off varies by more than a gallon from a slow to a fast pump, and how much is left in the tank when it sputters to a halt is unknown.

The only way to know how much fuel you have left is to note the mileage when the light starts coming on and drive until it runs out. And hopefully you will have a small tank of gas in the car for this experiment! Unfortunately, intentionally doing this experiment requires a bit of bravery and/or stupidity because you could run out at a bad time (where there is no shoulder, or when trying to cross a busy intersection)!