Low Fuel Light?

[RGardner]

When should the low fuel light come on? I drove my 03 to basically the E mark and the overhead computer showed 30 miles till empty and the low fuel light never came on. Ever since the Sirius radio receiver was changed out my parking brake light does not work. Have to take it back to the dealer to have that hooked back up. Could there be a connection or is this something that I need to have fixed under warranty. I have never run the tank that empty before so I had never expected it to come on before.

 

[DFrank]

Mine seems to come on with five gallons remaining. If i top off right after I get the light, i can usually get right around 30 gallons more into it. My computer usually says it has 30 miles to empty at that point, leaving me a safety factor of a bout 3 more gallons beyond the comps version of mt.

 

[CChase]

There was something I saw in the Owner's Manual (actually read most of it) that said something like @ 8 or 10% of fuel capacity, the light will come on. At something like 3 or 5%, the DTE reads 0. Not sure of the figures 100%, but take a look in the owner's manual, sounds like a sensor might no be working right.

 

[GerryDrake]

Fuel light

The manual in my 03 said very similar, and with 15K on the rig, it appears to be doing just that. Light/chime coming on at about 10% of fuel remaining, and that can vary in the DTE according to what kind of mileage you have been getting. When we are towing, the DTE will be lower than if we haven't been... Interesting to do fillups when you have towed all day and when you have done no towing, driving like a little old lady. The DTE figure it estimates at fillup can be vastly different, based on your last tankful... It is pretty handy, all in all

 

[ropinfool2]

I've run my tank below the point where my over head said 0 miles to empty. Put 10 to 15 miles on it then put 32 gallons in the tank. I only fill till the pump clicks off once then round up to the nearest dollar. Sometimes the low fuel light comes on sometimes it doesn't. John

 

[klockk]

Mine seems to come on when my DTE reads 25 miles...

Seems tohave been fairly consistant... .

 

[JRMora]

Originally posted by RGardner

When should the low fuel light come on? I drove my 03 to basically the E mark and the overhead computer showed 30 miles till empty and the low fuel light never came on. Ever since the Sirius radio receiver was changed out my parking brake light does not work. Have to take it back to the dealer to have that hooked back up. Could there be a connection or is this something that I need to have fixed under warranty. I have never run the tank that empty before so I had never expected it to come on before.

Mine comes on when the overhead hits 40 miles remaining. I'll fill up within the next 20 or so miles and have never put much more than 30 gallons in (so there should be 5 or so left). I don't spend 5 minutes topping off so I probably am not filling it all the way.



I had an old Dodge stratus that could go about 5 miles before running out of gas once the light came on (about 1/4 of a gallon!).



Needless to say, I had the dealer adjust that... .



Juan

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by RGardner

When should the low fuel light come on?

Mine comes on just as the needle touches the "E". I never go by the DTE unless I have a bet with someone...

 

[sfr1047]

On my first tank I waited untill the fuel light came on and put in 34. 4 gallons takeing the time to fill to the top of the neck. After reading a post from someone that ran there fuel level down untill the engine coughed and then put in 41 gallons I decided to see what I could get into mine. After the fuel light came on I drove another 100 miles at 65 mph. The engine never coughed but I was tired of driving so I fueled up and put in 40. 4 gal. I never remember to look at the overhead to see what the DTE says, But now I don`t get nervous when the light comes on.

 

[GCrowell]

On one of my early fillups, I waited until the chime at just under 1/8 tank. Didn't think to look at the DTE. I put 35. 5 gal in the tank. Of course I had to work at it to get that last 5 gal in it. I am convinced an empty tank will hold about 40 gal if you stuff it in.



George

 

[bballsam]

Well, what about it!! is it a 35 or 40
gal. tank? Will D/C tell us--
Sam

 

[Moterhead]

In another post, I reported on installing David Kelley's tank vent kit. I did some calculations based on DTE as shown on the overhead after fillup. My overhead was showing 20. 3 mpg. I filled the tank. With David's kit, I was only able to add 1/2 gallon before I had fuel standing in the neck. The DTE number is now showing 567. DC says my short bed has a 34 gallon tank. 34 X 20. 3 = 690. 690 - 567 = 123. Then divide the 123 by the 20. 3. This give you 6. From what I can see and calculate, the DTE ignores six gallons of what's in the tank. Make sense?

 

[roperteacher]

I will probably never know if my light works, I don't like to drive it that low! I have heard from a very good mechanic that the fuel pump will quit sooner if you always run low and it will run hotter. He says to never go below 1/4 of a tank if you can help it. Says thats about the height of the in -tank fuel pump and the diesel helps to cool it??? That was on my 01, I assume it is the same on the 04

 

[Pawpaw]

In-tank fuel pump?



I don't think the 3rd Gen's have one. Rumor has it that the 05's will.

 

[roperteacher]

Thats what I was wondering... I guess my 01 had it. . I knew somebody would know!!

 

[ropinfool2]

Well, what about it!! is it a 35 or 40

gal. tank? Will D/C tell us--

Sam



They already have, long beds have a 35 gallon, short beds 34 gallon. That is what they are saying the usable size is, not the full liquid capacity. They are allowing a safety margin for expansion. So those of you that installed the vent kit, you just gained 6 more gallons for minimal costs!! I just normally fill up to the first click and round up to the dollar. Works for me. John

 

[HOCummins04]

Originally posted by roperteacher

I will probably never know if my light works, I don't like to drive it that low! I have heard from a very good mechanic that the fuel pump will quit sooner if you always run low and it will run hotter. He says to never go below 1/4 of a tank if you can help it. Says thats about the height of the in -tank fuel pump and the diesel helps to cool it??? That was on my 01, I assume it is the same on the 04

That is true on vehicles with the fuel pump in the tank - which I believe is the standard for gasoline powered vehicles. As a habit on gasoline vehicles, I don't run them under 1/4 for that reason.



I know for certain that there is no in-tank pump on an 01 - or at least there was not on mine. There is only a pickup assembly with a screen on it and the float mechanism. No pump.