Empty Fuel Warning Light

[Shaz]

Yesterday, when I was cruising on the Interstate, my empty fuel warning light came on and the fuel gauge needle was just a tad above the last line. I'm still around 15 mins away from my exit and the gas station. I'm certain that i would still have at least 3-4 gallons at this time so I would be OK until I reach the gas station.

When I filled up, I have only consumed 15.76. So in essence, I still have 2 1/2 gallons to go. So how come the warning light came out early?

 

[CXRabbit]

That seems pretty normal for the CX-7. Warning light comes on with 2 gallons to go. With my light on, the most I've gotten into the car was 16.2... and that was with me driving a little while after the light popped on.

 

[kailua]

Probably better that the light comes on early than later. I had a 2000 Pathfinder that once the light came on, you had maybe 1-2 miles before the tank went dry. Pretty much defeats that purpose of having the warning light. It's like the car saying, "Guess what you are screwed! No gas!"

What's good is that now you know that you have about 2.5 gallon's reserve once the light comes on and that means at least another 30-40 miles before your CX stalls out.

 

[jeg0024]

Its the same in the Protege too, it probably a mazda thing. We have a 14.5 gallon tank and even when I run it down till the light comes on I still hardly ever put much more than 12 gallons in.