Hello all,
I just have a quick question that I hope someone can answer.
I have a BSP xB (obviously) and it's supposed to have a 11.9 gallon tank.
I ran it until the little yellowish light came on under the has tank picture on my speedometer. I thought this would mean that the tank is almost empty, but when I went to fill my tank I only got 9 gallons.
So my question is: Is there a yellow warning light and then a red low fuel light, or something like that, or does that light come on when i have almost 2 gallons left?
Thanks!

 

All it means is that you are running low on gas. The samething happens in my brothers cougar. When he is low on gas the light turns on. although i don't recommend going that long before filling up your tank.

 

On every vehicle I've had with a 'low fuel' indicator, from several different manufacturers, US, Japanese, and European, they have all twitched on at 2 to 2.5 gallons in the tank. On some that meant I had another 50+ miles to go before needing a gas station - on some it meant it was time to panic 'cause I had less than 20 miles left...

 

Kool, Thanks!

 

Wow, I didn't look up the specs on the tank, I didn't realize
it was an 11.9 gallon tank. I've run it till the needle was
tickling the top of the E and only got 10.7 gallons in it.
I guess I still had room to spare.

That's a good move on Toyota/Scions part, knowing that
this car was being marketed to the younger, more brash...
Having the needle off a little in your favor sure is a nice
thing!

 

The best I've gotten is 11 gallons even. When there's a 30+ cent difference in the price of unleaded between Oakland and Livermore, I'll make it last til I get home...

 

Yeah, as soon as the orange light (there's no red light after that) comes on, you have roughly 45-50 miles left. Don't let it get down that far. Coox.

 

i know that gas prices are going up but you should not run the tank dry or even close to empty. It will come back to bite you in the a** some day.

 

not good to run to empty, it gunks up you fuel filter

 

Today, I was nowhere near a gas station, when the light came on, but I finally made it to one, and I put in 11.633 gallons. $30 on 89 at a 76 station.

Jason

 

I was under the impression it made no difference on modern cars.

 

the fuel pickup is ALWAYS sucking off the bottom of the tank..........even when the tank is FULL

 

There could be scum floating on top of the gas. The pickup won't get that until the fuel level gets low.

 

With modern fuels, modern underground tanks (at the station)
modern coatings on our tank interiors, plus the modern
gas cap requirements, I doubt this is true any longer.

 

Thats possible I suppose, but after being a licenced driver for 32 years and almost a 1 million miles I have NOT made it to my destination only once because of a plugged filter.

 

OK, I'll accept that this may be one of those items of "conventional wisdom" that's been overtaken by technology. What about the wisdom that says you shouldn't go below half a tank in the winter, to avoid condensation in the tank? Is condensation no longer a problem with gasolines that contain ethanol, since it'll mix with the water just like "Dri-Gas"?

 

I think that some of the "clogged filter/overheated in-tank pump/water in gas" complaints were probably valid when manufacturers first went to the in-tank pumps. They've learned a lot since then and it is probably safe to use the whole tank. I always do and have had no problems despite putting in as much as 11.4 gallons at a fill.

Now, if Scion just put a 15-20 gallon tank in the box for some real range...

 

At least in N. Ca where I live and the winters are very mild I have never had problems leaving my fuel tanks in my ski boat at 1/2 or less for the winter lay up (5-6mo.) even with no "Stabil' or other product in the tank. But I must admit that I change the water seperator filter after about 15min of run time after the spring start up "just in case". But that old carbed V-8 would probably run on dog snot and not care----unlike a modern fuel injected Scion.

 

Ya, I did the same thing. Didn't realize that going to South Padre Island, that there was this 50 mile stretch with no gas station. I was so scared haha . 11.332gal

 

What about the fuel pump? The pump is meant to transport gas not condensation that will form in your gas tank. I found this on the web it could help. Read #3

Why Fuel Pumps Fail

1. Electric fuel pumps run constantly, so after many years of service they can experience wear in the armature bushings, brushes and commutator. Pump vanes, rollers or gears can also wear causing a gradual loss of pressure and flow.

2. Accelerated wear may also occur if sediment or rust gets past the inlet filter sock. In some instances, a pump will fail because contaminants entered the pump and jammed it, causing the motor to overheat and burn out.

3. Your fuel pump relies on fuel passing through it for lubrication and cooling. Consequently, fuel starvation can be another factor that accelerates wear and may even cause pump damage under certain operating conditions.