Gas gauge / cruising range empty when 5-6 gallons still in tank?

[2021 LC200]

I did a distance to empty test awhile back, running the tank to engine stall. I was able to travel 45 additional miles after the counter saying 0.

45 (local) miles at a typical conservative ~11mpg for my modified vehicle, represents 4.09 gallons left after the trip computer says 0.

With 4.09 gallons reserve:
Best case for a stock vehicle on the highway @18mpg = 72 miles.
Worst case I've had towing/headwind/hill @8mpg = 32 miles.

Many owners of the 200-series tend to only look for gas when distance to empty is 0 or when the low gas light comes on.

More details here

500 Mile Range and Tank to Empty Test

513.9 miles to bone dry empty. With my larger 33” tires, the actual corrected driven range is 544 miles. To be clear, this range is with a recently installed LRA 12.5 gallon sub-tank. Roughly 70% highway, 30% local mix. I also did a test as I had an external fuel can with me. I ran my main...

forum.ih8mud.com

Yesterday I fueled up my 2021 LC200 at 1 miles to empty and it took 20.46 gallons at first auto shut off.

With a 24.6 gallon tank that matches or confirms the 4.1 gallons reserve as stated before by TeCKis300.

Rounded off, say easy to remember, you have another 4 gallons left beyond 0 miles range indicated. Good to know!

 

[pvchaitanya]

although I have been in that spot many times where I have driven 20+ miles when the needle points to empty, I was told be old timers that driving any car or trunk to empty puts extra strain on the fuel pumps and they can give up sooner.

 

[2021 LC200]

although I have been in that spot many times where I have driven 20+ miles when the needle points to empty, I was told be old timers that driving any car or trunk to empty puts extra strain on the fuel pumps and they can give up sooner.

I actually agree with old timers (or engineers like me) and typically fuel up at 1/2 to 3/4 empty, just because I have nothing better to do I guess... and know running to empty just invites debris into the lines up to and in the filter.

My wife just managed to get the LC200 to the point of 4 miles range, so I was able to confirm at the fuel station the 0 range + 4 gallon reserve setup of the vehicle.

Not advocating to use the system like that or drive the additional 30 to 50 miles, just confirming knowledge already out here on ih8mud.

 

[cboyd]

And there is some info out that the fuel pump stays cool with some degree of that fuel.

I wouldn’t try it unless it was an emergency and I was staying on mostly flat level ground. Any upwards pitch and you’re risking dragging tank trash into the pump or un-priming the pump.

Nice to know it’s there but it’s “bingo” fuel as a they say. When you’re bingo you better be looking for a pump.

 

[bloc]

The fuel pump stays fully submerged until you actually run out of fuel. It sits in a secondary sump within the fuel tank that overflow fuel from the rails is dumped back into. The tank itself may only have two inches of fuel, but the pump will be sitting submerged in that ~10” deep sump.

 

[GordJ]

I have emptied the tank to the point of engine dying more than once with no adverse affects.