Fuel Guage Vs Computer

[arcing]

Hi all. I'm new to Rav4 world, and have a quickie concerning the fuel guage.

I'm close to polishing off my first tank of diesel. The fuel light has come on, and the computer is telling me I have 35 miles left. The fuel guage is clearly a little way from empty. The Audi I just got rid of had a good 40-50 miles in the tank left when it said 0 miles left, so which is the most accurate on the Rav4, the computer or the guage?

Thanks

[Davrav]

Hi all. I'm new to Rav4 world, and have a quickie concerning the fuel guage.

I'm close to polishing off my first tank of diesel. The fuel light has come on, and the computer is telling me I have 35 miles left. The fuel guage is clearly a little way from empty. The Audi I just got rid of had a good 40-50 miles in the tank left when it said 0 miles left, so which is the most accurate on the Rav4, the computer or the guage?

Thanks

Hi and welcome to the club

I usaually fill up when the light warns me and normally get about 54 litres in. The tank is 65 litres I believe so about 10 or 11 litres still in tank which equates to just over 2 gallons or 80 milesish depending on how you drive. Tend not to run too much past that to avoid sucking up crud from the tank.

The computer in your vintage of RAV is quite optimistic in terms of MPG readout and varies depending on ambient temperature. The guage seems to be a better indicator in my experience.

[NMaria]

I've got the same model as you (I think - mine is an 07 reg) and have found that the computer lies through its teeth. Overstates fuel economy by up to 10 mpg so I dare not rely on it for remaining 'range'. However, like Davrav, I can only squeeze in about 55 litres when the light comes on, although I normally fill up well before then, having become risk-averse in middle age!

Enjoy your car - it's a great machine.

[arcing]

Thanks for the responses. I left it until it said 0 miles and got over 48 litres in, so guess I'll be ignoring the computer. Experiment complete.

[Daveyonthemove]

Hi and welcome to the club

I usaually fill up when the light warns me and normally get about 54 litres in. The tank is 65 litres I believe so about 10 or 11 litres still in tank which equates to just over 2 gallons or 80 milesish depending on how you drive. Tend not to run too much past that to avoid sucking up crud from the tank.

The computer in your vintage of RAV is quite optimistic in terms of MPG readout and varies depending on ambient temperature. The guage seems to be a better indicator in my experience.

This is a complete myth mate.

If you had crud in the tank, you would suck it up with a full tank or an empty tank, as any particles/water will be denser than fuel, and sink to the bottom, and i'm sure you are aware that the fuel is sucked from the bottom of the tank, not from the middle or the top.

The only plausible argument i have heard that gives a reasonable explanation why you shouldn't let the tank run too low, is because the fuel pump needs to be submerged in order to stay cool so it won't burn out, although i have often wondered if a fuel pump getting hot inside a fuel tank is likely to happen.