Fuel Light

[qball305]

When the fuel light comes on, about how much is still left in the tank? I don't want to have to find out the hard way.

 

[Ian Macoomb]

That depends on the car. Mine used to come on wth 3-4 gallons left in it. I think owner's manual mentions this.

 

[wuzzzer]

Well, you could always wait for the light to come on and then find a gas station and drive around and around the block until your car runs out of gas. Then you'll know for sure.

 

[shodoug]

Mine does not come on at the same fuel level all the time.

Also, my fuel gauge is not at all accurate under 1/4 of a tank.

When I first got the car, even though it was not accurate, it seemed like it would fluctuate around if there was fuel in the tank, and then stop fluctuating when it was really time to get to a gas station. Then, one night, it was still fluctuating pretty well when it died and I coasted into a gas station.

Resetting the trip odometer after every fillup works best for me.

You don't want to run it too far down, too often, The gas in the fuel tank helps to keep the fuel pump cool.

Best Regards,
Doug

 

[Mr Anonymous]

4 gallons is where it is supposed to come on, but every car is a little different and anywhere from 3 to 6 is where it will fire.

Once the fuel gets around 1/4 tank or so, you'll see the level seem to slowly increase when the car is on a downslope, and decrease on an upslope. The reading will lag due to the anti-slosh circuit which keeps the gauge from jumping around erratically.

Every SHO I've ever owned, one of the first things I do is pull the stupid bulb. If I can't keep track of my fuel level and mileage without a stupid light, I shouldn't be allowed to drive.

FWIW, I've found that the '98-'99 gauge senders are much more accurate across the entire range of the gauge than the '89-'97's.

 

[E1 v2]

I've run 3 of mine dry just to see, and it seems around 60 miles was what I could get after the light came on.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

I've run mine dry once and I think I got about 50-60 miles after the light came on. It comes on pretty early too.

 

[hawkeye18]

FWIW, I've found that the '98-'99 gauge senders are much more accurate across the entire range of the gauge than the '89-'97's.

Can the 98-99 senders be used in a gen2? If it can, that's something I'd consider doing. I hate my sender with a passion. I get 100 miles at the 3/4 mark, then at the 1/2 mark I have 150. Every. Time. I'm used to it, but it's still aggravating.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Can the 98-99 senders be used in a gen2? If it can, that's something I'd consider doing. I hate my sender with a passion. I get 100 miles at the 3/4 mark, then at the 1/2 mark I have 150. Every. Time. I'm used to it, but it's still aggravating.

You'd have to get a 98-99 gas tank to fit since the Gen 3 fuel pumps & senders use a canister setup, but I think as long as you were able to get a tank to fit it should work OK. I've never tried fitting the tanks across gens, so I don't know if it's even possible.

 

[naval-avi8or]

You'd have to get a 98-99 gas tank to fit since the Gen 3 fuel pumps & senders use a canister setup, but I think as long as you were able to get a tank to fit it should work OK. I've never tried fitting the tanks across gens, so I don't know if it's even possible.

Will not fit. GEN III tanks are slightly wider.

 

[93rev2sev]

When the Gen2 was produced, Ford had a standing order that the light comes on at least 50 miles before empty...

I'm 72% sure on that one.

 

[SHOZ123]

I get gas at the 3/4 mark. All my credit card is good for.... Soon will be at the 1/2 tank

 

[stephen newberg]

I get gas at the 3/4 mark. All my credit card is good for.... Soon will be at the 1/2 tank

Only fill to the click instead of dribbling in the last 20 liters.

pax, smn