Low Fuel Light

Discuss any problems, warranty, repair, or replacement issues you are having with your Vibe & Matrix
Post Reply
gtv237
Posts: 387
Joined: Fri May 23, 2014 6:21 pm

Low Fuel Light

Post by gtv237 »

I normally don't run the car to a low fuel light. But lately I've been stretching it. I noticed that about 5 or 10 minutes after the low fuel light comes on it goes off. I've driven a good 10 miles after it went off and it never comes back on. Has anybody else had this happen? It doesn't really bother me, I was just curious.
User avatar
vibrologist
Posts: 1598
Joined: Sat May 10, 2014 8:24 am
Location: Iowa

Re: Low Fuel Light

Post by vibrologist »

You mean the light does not come back on before you refuel. Keep driving and it will come on again.
The light comes on when the float goes below a certain level. This can happen in a curve, or on an incline.
Vibrologist
'05 Vibe

"It is important to know the difference between 'accurate' and 'precise' even if you are neither!"

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=43476
tpollauf
Posts: 4025
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:37 am
Location: Toledo/Oregon, Port Clinton Ohio
Contact:

Re: Low Fuel Light

Post by tpollauf »

I'm like you. Drive it a good 40-60 miles more till it's bone dry :lol: Well maybe not that far BUT on highway driving it's been done a few times. That's when I got over 400 miles to a tank. Never had the light go off though once it came on. That's NOT a good think if it happens all the time, especially if you were to have multiple drivers sharing the same vehicle.
Image
2009 Vibe GT (manual), 2009 G8Gt, 2009 Vibe GT (auto)
2014 Silverado, 2004 Vibe GT

"everything is modifiable"
Caretaker

Re: Low Fuel Light

Post by Caretaker »

It is extremely bad for the fuel pump/sending device that can only be kept cool by gasoline in the tank. Don't routinely run your car down till the light comes on and don't fill your tank past the point when the pump handle clicks off. Ignoring this will cause unnecessary repair bills. :idea:
User avatar
kumquat
Posts: 379
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:01 am

Re: Low Fuel Light

Post by kumquat »

If you were driving in a hilly area, the gas can slosh around a bit and make it come on temporarily then go off.
star_deceiver
Posts: 5800
Joined: Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:49 pm
Location: Airdrie, AB

Re: Low Fuel Light

Post by star_deceiver »

Well, at least you know you're running low...

And FYI: This is a modern fuel pump. The excess fuel pumped fills the bowl so that, even if you're on fumes, the pump will remain completely submerged. You won't cook your pump.
Attachments
image.jpeg
image.jpeg (22.93 KiB) Viewed 6774 times
2019 Ram 3500 4x4 CCSB srw 8HP75
2016 Ram 3500 4x4 RCLB Dually w/stick (traded in - 05/10/19)
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Cheyenne 4x4 (Traded in - 03/30/16)
2009 Vibe. (Traded in - 12/12/12)
User avatar
vibenvy
Posts: 7121
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:38 am
Location: Sandwich, IL

Re: Low Fuel Light

Post by vibenvy »

We've experienced this once or twice with both our Vibes.
Image
2009 Liquid Platinum Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
2009 Steel Blue Metallic Vibe GT - 5-Speed Auto – Garage
User avatar
PonchoGT
Posts: 66
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:43 am
Location: Fort Knox, KY
Contact:

Re: Low Fuel Light

Post by PonchoGT »

You can pick up rust, varnish, sediments and other contaminants that lie at the bottom of your tank, though, by driving under low fuel conditions. That can shorten (or even compromise) the service life of your fuel filter.
User avatar
kumquat
Posts: 379
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:01 am

Re: Low Fuel Light

Post by kumquat »

PonchoGT wrote:You can pick up rust, varnish, sediments and other contaminants that lie at the bottom of your tank, though, by driving under low fuel conditions. That can shorten (or even compromise) the service life of your fuel filter.
I don't think that's really true anymore. The pumps pick up from the bottom all the time, and constantly circulate fuel to and from the engine.
jake75
Posts: 4792
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:33 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: Low Fuel Light

Post by jake75 »

Typically when my fuel light comes on it will go on and off for awhile. At that point there is usually at least 2.5 gal in the tank.
When it comes on I usually get gas at my earliest convenience. Running out of gas is no fun. I am 73 and I do not remember ever running out of gas - or even telling a girlfriend that I'd run out of gas. ;)
2009 Vibe 1.8L Carbon Gray AT Power Pkg 1/12/092003 Vibe 1.8L Neptune AT Mono Power Pkg 1/27/03 [sold 2/2/09]2007 T&C SWB 7/31/07 "Broke people stay broke by living like they're rich. Rich people stay rich by living like they're broke."
Post Reply