Low Fuel Light
- Thread starter PWR SHFT
- Start date
goldwing2000
OG Mazda Mafia
- :
- 2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 346,000 mi (sold)
2024 CX-5 CE; 7,500 mi (so far)
It's different for different cars but mine is usually around 1.5 gallons or so.
Solo2Protege
Member
- :
- Mz3|Mz6W|Protege LX
hehehe, funny you should mention it.....i've made it more than 40 miles with the light on, for the exact same reason. I work right across the street from an airport, so gas is crazy expensive within the area.
I keep close track and it's always been over 2 gallons plus. I figure with my foot in it I still get 24 mpg so that's almost 50 miles with the light on. I have also notice the fuel pick up must be in the front of the tank. I've parked in my driveway a few times with my fuel light on and the car would not start until I coasted out of me driveway. 
goldwing2000
OG Mazda Mafia
- :
- 2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 346,000 mi (sold)
2024 CX-5 CE; 7,500 mi (so far)
goldwing2000
OG Mazda Mafia
- :
- 2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 346,000 mi (sold)
2024 CX-5 CE; 7,500 mi (so far)
Look at it this way:
Once you're below about 1/4 tank, your fuel pump is exposed to the air.
When the pump isn't surrounded by fuel, it generates more heat.
More heat = bad for electrical components, especially high-speed motors.
The lower you let the fuel go, the more exposed your pump is.
The more often you run your tank almost dry, the shorter the life of your fuel pump is gong to be.
In a nutshell... fill it up before the light comes on!
Once you're below about 1/4 tank, your fuel pump is exposed to the air.
When the pump isn't surrounded by fuel, it generates more heat.
More heat = bad for electrical components, especially high-speed motors.
The lower you let the fuel go, the more exposed your pump is.
The more often you run your tank almost dry, the shorter the life of your fuel pump is gong to be.
In a nutshell... fill it up before the light comes on!
To add on to goldwing2000, electric in-tank fuel pumps are cooled by the gasoline in the tank. Continually running your tank empty, could cause premature fuel pump failure. I don't normally do this on a regular basis, but once in a while you can't help it.
This could be why the light comes on so early - to keep the pump submerged and cool. Depending on the shape of the tank, 2 gallons could be enough to accomplish this.
goldwing2000,
got a picture of the tank?
This could be why the light comes on so early - to keep the pump submerged and cool. Depending on the shape of the tank, 2 gallons could be enough to accomplish this.
goldwing2000,
got a picture of the tank?
goldwing2000
OG Mazda Mafia
- :
- 2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 346,000 mi (sold)
2024 CX-5 CE; 7,500 mi (so far)
Hmmm... don't recall ever seeing one but I'll look through the service manual. A seriously doubt 2 gallons will keep the pump submerged but it's worth looking in to.
Screamin'3
Member
- :
- Mazda 3s 5-door, Solar Yellow
I also have to concure with goldwing. I had an old Volvo 240 which I ran the tank dry (fuel gauge didn't work). That killed the fuel pump, mechanic mentioned that the pump on the Volvos were sensitive to running dry and if you did it would kill the pump.
I would imagine that the fuel pumps 20 years later from Japan are more robust, but increased heat and less load (pump running but no fuel) would cause problems.
I would imagine that the fuel pumps 20 years later from Japan are more robust, but increased heat and less load (pump running but no fuel) would cause problems.
Shiney_McShine
Member
- :
- 2005 3 HB
Actually, I don't......I'm kind of a retard when it comes to math..... (stoned)tphskab said:
