Parking on declined slope with low gas

[paulhs13MA]

We’d need to find one to tear down. Many vehicles use a similar system of fuel pump “module” which I refer to as the bucket, but there is some variance in the specifics. For instance I do know 04 “PD” TDI modules used direct flow from the pump through a nozzle to act as a venturi and provide positive flow without overwhelming the system. But their unique pressure requirements wouldn’t apply to us.

Thanks for the reply. I am not very mechanically inclined, but I have to imagine Toyota could put in a sensor for these situations (ie. sensor activated when "bucket" empties and car is on a slope) and then have a tube powered by a pump to refill the "bucket" from further forward in the tank when the ignition is turned). Anyway, it sounds like I am nitpicking. The LC is such a great vehicle. I love mine very much.

 

[bloc]

Thanks for the reply. I am not very mechanically inclined, but I have to imagine Toyota could put in a sensor for these situations (ie. sensor activated when "bucket" empties and car is on a slope) and then have a tube powered by a pump to refill the "bucket" from further forward in the tank when the ignition is turned). Anyway, it sounds like I am nitpicking. The LC is such a great vehicle. I love mine very much.

I think from an automaker’s perspective it comes down to the cost/benefit analysis. That would cost money, and perhaps more importantly add complexity (and potential for failure, as with any extra complexity), to fix what is clearly a very rare issue.

Even then I don’t think a tube from the front of the tank would work well, as these pumps are usually not good at drawing a vacuum and priming themselves. They are designed to be submerged in fuel and gravity does the priming.

Ultimately I think it is just something we have to keep in mind and attempt to work around, and as you said the benefits of these trucks far outweigh minor inconveniences like this.

 

[paulhs13MA]

I think from an automaker’s perspective it comes down to the cost/benefit analysis. That would cost money, and perhaps more importantly add complexity (and potential for failure, as with any extra complexity), to fix what is clearly a very rare issue.

Even then I don’t think a tube from the front of the tank would work well, as these pumps are usually not good at drawing a vacuum and priming themselves. They are designed to be submerged in fuel and gravity does the priming.

Ultimately I think it is just something we have to keep in mind and attempt to work around, and as you said the benefits of these trucks far outweigh minor inconveniences like this.

True. What I described is something like what I imagine BMW would do (sensor upon sensor upon sensor...). And one doesn't see BMWs on the road too often after they're 5 years old...
I may conduct an experiment to see how much time can pass on an incline with the engine off with fuel low, before the engine will not start again (ie. before the "bucket" drains). It seems like it would be helpful to know whether this is an overnight issue or something that happens faster. If I do, I'll post the results.
Thanks again for your thoughts on this subject.

 

[afgman786]

Got it. Thanks. I wonder how slowly this "bucket" drains. I can think of many offroad situations where one would stop the vehicle, nose down, and turn off the ignition for a while (top of a dune, top of a roadway to a riverbed, etc.). Again, 4+ gallons is not a tiny amount of fuel in any vehicle's tank. It still seems like a flaw to me. Don't get me wrong; I love my LC, but I'm not uncritical of the vehicle's shortcomings (eg. not a big fan at all of having to use the touchscreen to adjust climate, that there's no feet-only setting for heat, the presence of tv sets in back, absence of option for factory-installed long-range tank, etc.). It's not a long list, for sure.

4 gallons IS a tiny amount of fuel for how thirsty the 200 is haha. If you only had 4 gallons left your fuel tank should've been reading empty with 0miles left as range didn't it? The likelihood of someone wheeling with their fuel tank at Empty or near empty is very slim. I usually average around 4-6mpg when wheeling, so that means I'd only have maybe 20miles of range which I would never let happen.

 

[bloc]

Thanks again for your thoughts on this subject.

Any time, and I’d like to hear anything you come up with on this.

 

[paulhs13MA]

4 gallons IS a tiny amount of fuel for how thirsty the 200 is haha. If you only had 4 gallons left your fuel tank should've been reading empty with 0miles left as range didn't it? The likelihood of someone wheeling with their fuel tank at Empty or near empty is very slim. I usually average around 4-6mpg when wheeling, so that means I'd only have maybe 20miles of range which I would never let happen.

Haha. That is true about the vehicle's thirst. To be honest, I'm usually driving on asphalt here in the northeast, and I mentally calculate I have about 50 miles left when the light comes on. So, the "out of gas" experience when I went to start it in the morning was a complete surprise. But now I know (about the incline with nose down parking overnight when tank is getting close to empty).

 

[scottm]

Subscribed. Hopefully someone will tell me how long I can shop while poser-parked at the mall.

 

[turbo8]

Next time, just roll down the driveway in neutral. Then you won't have to make separate trips to the gas station.