Hi Folks,

I haven't had my 2000 F250 PSD very long, so decided to run the fuel tank down close to empty before refilling. On the way home, the low fuel warning light came on at about 1/8 tank. Supposedly I have a 38 gallon tank, or at least that is what the sales documentation says. I drove about another 15 miles after the light came on, and stopped at one of the few places that sell diesel in my area, as the fuel guage was now flirting with empty as it sloshed around. The guage read about 1/8 sitting still and pretty level. It topped off at 28 gallons. Is the low fuel warning supposed to come on that early? Or is that pretty much the norm?
Or does it sound like my fuel guage is way off? Its relative, of course, as I now have a good indication of remaining fuel if it is, but just curious.

 

I have put 90 miles on the truck after the low fuel light came on, and then fit 36 gal. in the tank. My uncle has on '00 PSD and ran out of fuel five minutes after the light came on.

So long as you know how your gauge reads, I say ignore the light.

 

speaking from experience you dont want to run out of diesel, its not fun spinning your starter for five minutes trying to restart after you have run dry.

 

I typically have between 6 and 8 gallons left once my light comes on. But like Cookie said, each may read different.

 

It's not a big deal with an electric fuel pump, just cycle the key a few times to get it primed, and you're good to go.

 

Thanks for the replies, fellas. It sounds like mine and Cookies are pretty much the same as to how it registers. That is probably close to normal I suspect. Maybe its a good thing to alert me early. But at 17 mpg, lets see, leaving 5 gallons for reserve, 5 times 17 is 85 miles. Hmmmmm, I guess if I had a choice, I would rather it come on at about 5 gallons remaining. But, I don't and it does come on so what the hey.

 

be careful, psd injectors dont like to be ran dry.....$$$$$$

 

If you let your truck idle.....while filling UP....the fuel gauge willnot read Correctly. So you must turn the engine OFF and restart Before the fuel gausge will read correctly.......s.kuteman

 

It seems unlikely that running out of fuel once or twice would score the injector walls enough to be cause for replacement, but you never know I guess.

Of course, that would create and excuse to call Swamp's.

 

The electric fuel pumps are not designed to pump air. And the fuel in the tank helps cool the electric pumps.

I can't forget to mention that it is a finable offence to run out of fuel on the road. So why chance it?

I actually get drivers calling in saying the bus quite running. And my first question to them is "are you out of gas?"
driver "no, it reads 1/8 of a tank"
me "where are you at? I'm coming with fuel"
btw, I do have this written in the bus (if it reads 1/8 tabk you are out of gas)

I just wouldn't run a tank down any lower than the 1/4 mark. The gadges are only indicators and can not be relied on for accuracy.