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How many miles w/ low gas indicator light?

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello all,
New to the group and to Rav4's. I just bought a '02 4wd Limited and so far love it. Not that I plan to get in this habit, but does anyone know how far mileage wise you can push it once the low gas indicator comes on? My other car (99 Honda Prelude) could safely get me at least 30 miles before I reached a gas station.
Also, does anyone know if it is fact that when the 4wd is constantly engaged (it's been snowing non-stop here for days :x )
and it seems early on that the gas mileage isn't too good. I still have to fill the tank and track the mileage to get a good picture, but it seems to be dropping fast w/ not that much mileage. I assumed it was possibly due to the constant need for 4wd. GOES GREAT THROUGH THE SNOW THOUGH!!! :D
 
#2 ·
The AWD system in the 4.2's is CONSTANT AWD or FULLTIME 4WD whatever you want to call it - either way, yes all 4 wheels are always driven.... As for testing out the fuel tank capacity, you dont really want to be getting it below 1/4 all the time... When the level gets that low, there is going to be a bit of muck just waiting to be sucked up by the pump... As you will probably find, most people here will be averaging around 10 - 11 L/100km mostly highway driving... the reserve capacity of the tank will probably get you around 50km....
 
#3 ·
Hi Jonesy and Welcome to the group!

I believe AusRaver answered your questions.
Just wanted to add one thing.
Be careful about the Fuel Level indicator.
The gas tends to become partitioned when the fuel level is low, because the tank has an indentation in the middle in order to bend over the Propeller shaft, Looks something like a W on the bottom.
So it tends to wash over from side to side.

Cheers, Walt :D
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Great, thank you both for the quick response, and glad to be a part of this forum!! :D I will remember not to let it get to low for those reasons!
 
#5 ·
Although there is probably more gas in reserve when the low fuel light turns on, I generally assume that there is about 1 gallon remaining. How many miles that gets you depends on your recent mpg when driving under similar conditions.

If you want to find out exactly how far you can go after the light goes on, you'd better take a spare container full of a couple gallons of gasoline with you! :shock:
 
#6 ·
Years ago my Chryslers gauge did not work properly so it did go dry on more than one occasion. I don't know about the RAV but the old car would develop a Vacuum in the line and I would have to physicly disconnect it near the Throttle body and put it into a bottle, manually dump gas or quick start, and crank until the Vacuum was gone.

Them were the good old days spending quality time with my Chrysler
Image
 
#7 ·
jonesy39 said:
.....how far mileage wise you can push it once the low gas indicator comes on...? :D
Click to expand...
I've driven over 22 miles after it truned on... Didn't run out though. The manual says about 30 miles, I think. But I agree it's not a good idea to shake up the residue in the bottom of the tank.

:cheers:

Philo
 
#9 ·
Just fill up as the light comes on, tank holds 57 liter so you can work it out from there....

I did about 100 K yesterday with the light on and filled her up with 54 liters... only 3 left but that was in a stupid mood... :?
 
#10 ·
My previous 02 Rav had approximately 8 - 9 litres in the tank when the light came on every now and then. As stated by other members, it is not good to run too low. :oops:
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thanks to all for responding. I ran it about 25 miles before gassing up, and I had only 1/2 gallon left in tank, so now I know my limits! I don't plan on having to do this again, but now I know just in case. I did end up getting 300 miles to a full tank for city driving, which equalled about 21.5 miles per gal. Book gives 22, so I'll take it. I plan on some highway driving soon for some trips so I'll hopefully see if it makes the 27 miles/gal or not. :p
 
#12 ·
Jonesy,

Typically my RAV goes between 300 and 350 miles on a tank of gas, and I've never run it to completely empty (run dry). The fuel low indicator light goes on sometime after 325 to 340 miles, almost never before 300 miles, unless the last fill up wasn't a full tank.

Normally I commute about 80 miles round trip to work, 90-95% highway driving, and average about 26-27 mpg. (It was 1 mpg higher before the catalytic converter was replaced.) In a normal work week I fill the tank 2-3 times. My 2WD, 5 speed (manual shift) RAV and I are in southern California, so our gasoline is probably formulated differently from yours (for lower emissions). I have yet to experience the advertised 30-31 mpg.

The RAV has been rock solid and pretty predictable in fuel consumption, though the fuel level sensor is kind of screwy below 1/4 tank. I'm sure there's another thread about the gas gauge's behavior. Anyway, once you know your vehicle's limits, you can trust it to be pretty consistent through the years.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Thanks Liz,
Yep, mine seems to be sucking more gas but w/ 4wd and automatic, that should be expected. I did notice that the top half of the tank (according to the needle) goes down quicker as the bottom half lasts longer. As you said, there is probaly another thread all about this. :)
I do have to wonder if the winter travel here possibly sucks up a tad more gas than when the roads are completely free of snow....I'll have to wait till spring for that!
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
jonesy39 said:
Thanks Liz,
Yep, mine seems to be sucking more gas but w/ 4wd and automatic, that should be expected. I did notice that the top half of the tank (according to the needle) goes down quicker as the bottom half lasts longer. As you said, there is probaly another thread all about this. :)
I do have to wonder if the winter travel here possibly sucks up a tad more gas than when the roads are completely free of snow....I'll have to wait till spring for that!
Click to expand...
Make sure you are not driving around with the vent set to DEF or FLOOR/DEF. The A/C is on in these positions and will kill your gas mileage, especially in the winter. I get 23.5 to 24.5 MPG with my 4WD. Last winter, before I knew about the A/C thing, I only got like 20-21 MPG because it was always set to FLOOR/DEF.

As for getting 27 highway with 4WD, forget it unless you are driving a straight line and not stopping for the entire time. It will probably average out to 25.5 or so.

Of course, mine is an 05, so this is probably not that relevant.
 
#15 ·
JohnnyG said:
jonesy39 said:
Thanks Liz,
Yep, mine seems to be sucking more gas but w/ 4wd and automatic, that should be expected. I did notice that the top half of the tank (according to the needle) goes down quicker as the bottom half lasts longer. As you said, there is probaly another thread all about this. :)
I do have to wonder if the winter travel here possibly sucks up a tad more gas than when the roads are completely free of snow....I'll have to wait till spring for that!
Click to expand...
Make sure you are not driving around with the vent set to DEF or FLOOR/DEF. The A/C is on in these positions and will kill your gas mileage, especially in the winter. I get 23.5 to 24.5 MPG with my 4WD. Last winter, before I knew about the A/C thing, I only got like 20-21 MPG because it was always set to FLOOR/DEF.

As for getting 27 highway with 4WD, forget it unless you are driving a straight line and not stopping for the entire time. It will probably average out to 25.5 or so.

Of course, mine is an 05, so this is probably not that relevant.
Click to expand...
yeah i agree, i only get about 24-25 mpg for highway, becuz i have a 4wd automatic. i was kinda hoping for more when i got the car. i only get about 21 in the city. But hey, i love the car so much, it weighs out the differences.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Thanks for the responses. Johnny G, is that accurate about the defroster kicking on the A/C? My AC light doesn't come on when I put the defroster on, but it seems to suck gas like the AC is on.
 
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