With the current steep rise in fuel prices, especially for diesel engines such as the Toyota Hilux, motorists are stretching their fuel tanks to go further when the low fuel light illuminates. The low fuel light on the dashboard comes on when fuel levels fall to a critical level. However, you can’t ignore the fuel light for too long.
If the fuel light illuminates, you can expect to drive between 80 to 100 kilometers with a well-maintained Toyota Hilux at average speed. But that’s based on highway-cruising kilometers, not high-traffic urban kilometers. Also, this distance varies depending on several factors, such as driving style, speed, location, fuel economy, tire pressure, weather, etc., making it difficult to give an exact figure.
What does it mean when the fuel light comes on?
The fuel light indicator on your gas gauge doesn’t mean you’re out of fuel. Instead, it’s a warning light that indicates you’re using your car’s fuel reserves and has a few kilometers left before running out completely.
Similar to other vehicles, your Toyota Hilux has a ball in the fuel tank that monitors fuel levels. This ball lowers with fuel consumption and activates the low fuel light on the dashboard when it reaches a specific threshold. This threshold varies between brands and models.
How far can you drive your Toyota Hilux with the fuel light on?
A general rule for automakers is to leave about 50 – 90 kilometers to run on the reserve fuel. But it’s best to aim for the low end of that estimate and find a fuel station within 50 kilometers. Moreover, this is a vague figure.
The distance you can drive when your Hilux fuel light illuminates depends on various factors. The most common are your vehicle’s fuel economy and fuel tank size.
First, figure out the reserve capacity of the Toyota Hilux. The fuel light typically comes on when your vehicle’s fuel limit falls to 10% – 15% of the tank’s capacity. The fuel tank capacity of a Toyota Hilux is 80 liters. Therefore, about 8 – 12 liters of fuel are left when the low fuel light comes on in your Hilux.
Another method to estimate your vehicle’s reserve capacity is by refueling when the fuel light comes on, observing the amount of fuel you put in your tank to reach full capacity, then subtracting it from the total tank size.
Once you know your car’s reserve tank capacity, some basic maths will give you a rough estimate of how far you can drive with an empty tank. First, you need to know the average mileage of your engine in km/L to accurately know how many kilometers your car can run on one liter of fuel. A higher kilometer per liter naturally means more distance with the fuel light on.
It’s more complicated, though; other factors that will influence your car’s fuel consumption, consequently affecting how much distance you can drive on empty, for instance:
- Road conditions. Driving up a steep hill or a rough road will increase fuel consumption, reducing the distance you can cover on empty.
- Weight. Your car will consume more fuel when towing or hauling heavy loads.
- Driving style. Being heavy on the fuel pedal leads to increased fuel use.
- Route. Highway driving uses less fuel than city driving, with frequent stops and irregular driving speeds.
- Tire conditions. Low tire pressure leads to more fuel consumption due to reduced traction on the road.
- Car health. A poorly-maintained car will have a lower km/L; therefore, it will run out of fuel sooner when on empty.
- Air conditioning. Driving your car with the AC turned on will cause the engine to consume more fuel. However, driving at higher speeds with the air conditioning on might result in better fuel economy than opening the window. This is because the latter causes aerodynamic drag, which reduces fuel efficiency.
As you can see, it’s almost impossible to have the precise distance you can cover when the fuel light in your Hilux illuminates. That’s why it’s important to refuel as soon as the low-fuel light comes on.
Dangers of driving Your Toyota Hilux with the fuel light on
Although your Hilux can still cover up to 80 kilometers with the fuel light on, automotive experts advise against pushing your car until the fuel tank runs completely empty. This is because there’s a long-term risk associated with driving on an empty fuel tank. This risk is even worse for diesel engines as they run on empty.
Fuel pump damage
Besides powering your engine, your fuel also cools and lubricates your fuel pump as it flows to your engine. Frequently driving on low fuel exposes your fuel pump to higher temperatures due to overheating, causing premature pump failure and expensive repair expenses.
The engine may not restart
When your diesel runs too low, air flows into the fuel system. The air bubble obstructs the fuel from being injected into the cylinder, causing the engine to misfire. You will feel a loss of power, hesitation, and vibration. A bad misfire can impair your engine or cause an accident while driving.
Refilling a diesel engine after running it dry will need manual fuel system priming before restarting it, which can be costly as it requires a mechanic.
Catalytic converter becomes vulnerable
Driving on an empty tank risks damaging your catalytic converter due to an incorrect air-fuel mixture. Once in a while won’t destroy it, but frequent occurrences will cause friction resulting in overheating. This overheating can cause converter failure.
Dirt through your engine
Usually, dirt particles and debris in your fuel will settle at the bottom of the fuel tank. Therefore, driving on low fuel may send these particles into the fuel system, clogging your fuel filter quickly and damaging the fuel injector and pump. In addition, if the residue passes through the faulty filter, it will damage the engine eventually.
Prone to making mistakes
Driving with the fuel light on makes you vulnerable to making mistakes on the road. In an attempt to stretch your low fuel, you may drive carelessly, risking an accident. The fuel light can also be distracting and make you panic, taking your eye off the road too often.
To avoid getting stranded or, worse, damaging your car over time, you should always keep your fuel tank at least a quarter full to
What do you do when your fuel light comes on?
While driving on empty is risky for your car’s components, sometimes it’s unavoidable. So here are some useful tips to consider when your Toyota Hilux is about to run out of fuel.
Drive conservatively
Driving at high speeds will cause more fuel wastage, even with fuel-efficient cars like the Hilux.
Turn off your AC
The vehicle’s air conditioning system can stress your engine, decreasing fuel economy. Therefore turning it off will save a little bit of fuel and allow you some kilometers.
Avoid traffic
If possible, avoid high-traffic roads. Rapid accelerations and braking reduce your car’s fuel efficiency, resulting in fewer kilometers per liter.
Conclusion
Granted that now you know your Toyota Hilux’s fuel light will illuminate when about 10% of the fuel is in reserve, it’s not for normal driving. Rather, it acts as a coolant and lubricant for the fuel pump motor. Therefore, it’s best to refuel your car as soon as the fuel light comes on to save your car from unnecessary stress. Better still, avoid allowing it to get to the reserve.